If you read and store eBooks, you may have heard of .MOBI files. In this guide, we cover everything about the MOBI format, from the .MOBI meaning, to the pros and cons of using a .MOBI file and how to open and convert one.
.MOBI is a file extension created for eBooks. .MOBI files have mostly been used for devices such as the Amazon Kindle or other mobile devices with low bandwidth. Aside from eBook data, a MOBI file may also contain DRM (Digital Rights Management) copyright protection - which can be used to prevent unauthorised duplication and distribution.
MOBI is an abbreviation of ‘Mobipocket’, which is a software package designed for publishing and reading eBooks.
It is therefore not an acronym or initialisation, unlike many other file type extensions.
A French company developed the MOBI format in 2000, though its original extension was actually .PRC.
After Amazon bought Mobipocket in 2005, they released the .MOBI format as a standard for their Kindle devices just a couple of years later. MOBI 7, the most recent version of MOBI, is also known as KF7 (standing for Kindle Fire version 7). Sometimes these files have an .AZW extension, due to the fact that they use Amazon’s own DRM system.
In 2011, however, Amazon discontinued support for the MOBI format and the .AZW3 became the preferred file extension for the Amazon Kindle devices and the Amazon’s marketplace.
In August 2022, Amazon officially retired the MOBI format and replaced it with EPUB, which is now the universal format for eBook.
Today, MOBI files can still be opened using a compatible MOBI reader or by converting them to a more up to date format.
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Prior to August 2022, many authors used MOBI files to publish their eBooks. They were also able to embed DRM copyright protection within these files, to prevent unauthorised viewing or copying of their work.
Although the format has been discontinued, if you have any MOBI and AZW files in your library, you can still open them using a compatible programme.
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Pros.
Cons.
To open a .MOBI file, you need a .MOBI reader. The Amazon Kindle App is the most popular option to access MOBI eBooks, as it’s supported on Windows, macOS and smartphones. Other free software that can open .Mobi files include Mobipocket Reader, Calibre, Stanza. You can even read MOBI eBooks on the browser, by install the Chrome extension ‘MOBI Reader’.
You cannot create and edit MOBI files any more. Before the MOBI format was discontinued, authors were able to create and edit MOBI files in various eBook software like Calibre and Kindle Create.
Today, if you want to edit an eBook that has been created in the MOBI format, you will first need to convert it.
Many file types, including eBook files, can be converted to PDF using Adobe’s free online conversion tool.
You can also then sign and edit your PDF if desired.
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The main difference between these two eBook file types is that MOBI was Amazon’s proprietary eBook format prior to 2011 and was predominantly used for Kindle devices, while EPUB is more universal as it’s supported across all platforms. Amazon discontinued the MOBI format in 2022 and EPUB has now become an open standard for eBooks in general.
Adobe Digital Editions can read Mobi files. However, you may need to convert the Mobi file to a compatible format such as EPUB or PDF using a third-party conversion tool before importing it into Adobe Digital Editions
As MOBI files have been discontinued, they are certainly outdated compared to the EPUB format. These days, using the MOBI format may limit access to certain useful eBook features - so it is advised that you convert them if possible. That said, certain readers and programmes will still allow you to view MOBI files if you wish.
As EPUB is the standard eBook format used among publishers, it’s advisable to convert any old MOBI files you may have to EPUB so you can take advantage of all features. To do this, you can download Calibre for free or use an online file convertor.
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