Can I download works from the Archive to access later?
Yes, Archive of Our Own (AO3) supports work downloads in five file formats, which you can access on your computer and on a range of portable devices. Check out What formats can I download works in? for more information.
A work download contains all currently available chapters as of the time of downloading. You can't download individual or specific chapters of a work, and will need to redownload a work in progress to receive updates to that work. When redownloading, you may need to delete older versions of that work in order for the newest download to contain all updates since the prior download(s).
Downloads can contain text and images, with some limitations. Embedded video and audio won't be downloaded in any format. Any work skin used to change how a work is presented on the Archive will be removed from the download. Check out Will images/audio/video load in downloaded works? and Can a work skin change the appearance of a downloaded work? for more information.
What formats can I download fanworks in?
We offer downloads in five formats, which are AZW3, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, and HTML. AZW3, EPUB, HTML, and PDF are compatible with Amazon's Kindle devices and applications. As of August 2022, the MOBI format is no longer supported by Amazon. EPUB and PDF are compatible with non-Kindle e-reading devices and applications. MOBI is compatible with some non-Kindle e-reading applications. On your computer or handheld device, PDF and HTML formats are accessible through web browsers without needing an internet connection. PDF format is also accessible through file reading applications. AZW3, EPUB, PDF, and HTML are better choices than MOBI for works in right-to-left languages like Hebrew and Arabic.
For more information on what non-text content is included in downloaded works, check out Will images/audio/video load in downloaded works?
Will images/audio/video load in downloaded works?
Images embedded in works should load in AZW3, EPUB, HTML, MOBI, and PDF download formats. However, sometimes very large images fail to download, and won't display in a downloaded work.
Any work skin used to change how an image is presented on Archive of Our Own (AO3) will be removed from those images in the download. Check out Can a work skin change the appearance of a downloaded work? for more information.
Embedded audio and video files won't be retained in downloaded works. Works with embedded video may or may not save an image from the video to the download in place of the original embedded video. If the work you've downloaded is missing embedded files, you'll need to visit the original work on the Archive to access them. For easier access, all downloaded works include a link to the original work on the Archive at the beginning and end of the work.
Why is my download file name different from the work name on the Archive?
Due to technical limitations, there are three reasons a download file name may be different from the work name on Archive of Our Own (AO3).
- Long work titles may be shortened in the download file name.
- Works with HTML characters in the title that need encoding have those characters removed from the download file name. This includes diacritics. For example, "Before & After" would become "Before After.pdf" while "l'épée" would become "lepee.pdf".
- Download file names are automatically transliterated from languages that use non-Latin alphabets, such as Japanese or Hebrew. The resulting transliterations may not be correct.
This doesn't affect the content of the file itself, and the title will still display correctly within the downloaded work.
How do I download works onto my computer or mobile device?
To download a work from Archive of Our Own (AO3):
- Select the "Download" button near the top of the work page.
- Five format options are offered. Choose the format you prefer by selecting the appropriate button: AZW3, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, or HTML. These buttons display directly below the "Download" button, or above the "Download" button toward the top of the screen on mobile.
- If prompted, confirm the download and the location where you want to save the file. You may be prompted to select an app to open the downloaded file.
- If your mobile device doesn't support direct downloads, you may need to download works onto your computer and then load them onto your device. Please refer to your device's help files for specific instructions on how to do so.
As there's no way to download individual chapters of a work, all currently available chapters of the work will download even if you're in chapter view mode. You'll need to redownload a work in progress to receive updates to that work. When redownloading, you may need to delete older versions of that work in order to ensure all updates are included.
Most mobile devices or apps support at least one of the download formats we offer. Check out What formats can I download works in? for more information on these formats.
Text content will always be included in a download. For information on other types of content, please refer to Will images/audio/video load in downloaded works? and Can a work skin change the appearance of a downloaded work?
While we can't provide support for every device, if you have questions or feedback about your experience using downloads on different devices, please submit a Support request. We'll do our best to help! Check out How can I download works to access on my iOS device? or How can I download works to access on my Kindle or Kindle app? for more information on those specific apps or devices.
How can I download works to access on my iOS device?
The download process for iOS devices, such as the iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, is similar to the process for most other portable devices. Check out How do I download works onto my computer or mobile device? for more information.
However, if you find that you can't download a work directly, then you can download it to your computer and send it to your iPad, iPhone, or other iOS device through a file management application. Please refer to your device's help files for specific instructions on how to do so.
Note that Amazon doesn't allow AZW3 files to transfer through Send to Kindle. If you're using the Kindle app for iOS, you'll need to choose either a different download format or a non-Kindle app to open AZW3 downloads.
How can I download works to access on my Kindle or Kindle app?
Kindle devices and the Kindle app are compatible with AZW3, EPUB, HTML, and PDF file downloads.
You can download and send HTML and PDF files to your Kindle library for your Kindle device or Kindle app using either your Send to Kindle email address or the Send to Kindle app. EPUB files can be transferred using your Send to Kindle email address, and will eventually be supported in the Kindle apps as well. As of August 2022, the MOBI format is no longer supported by Amazon. However, older MOBI files already on your Kindle or Kindle app will still function.
AZW3, EPUB, HTML, and PDF files can be downloaded to your computer and transferred directly to your Kindle device. This means opening up your Kindle device's document directory when it's attached to a computer via USB cable and copying the downloaded file into that folder. You can transfer a file to the Kindle app on your Android device in the same manner, but there's no way to transfer an AZW3 file to the Kindle app on iOS. You'll need to choose either a different download format or a non-Kindle app to open AZW3 downloads.
For more information on how to send files to your Kindle devices or Kindle apps, check out Send to Kindle by E-mail and Learn About Sending Documents to Your Kindle Library on Amazon's website.
Can I download works from the Archive via external services or scripts?
Yes. However, if a service or script doesn't support cookies or session login details, downloads of works restricted to Archive of Our Own (AO3) users or with adult content warnings will give you the login or adult content confirmation pages instead of the actual work. To save restricted or adult content works for later access, you may need to download them directly from the Archive. Check out How do I download works onto my computer or mobile device?, What tools can help with accessing and downloading works?, and What tools can make it easier to share AO3 works on other sites? for more information.
Can a work skin change the appearance of a downloaded work?
No. While you can change the appearance of the Archive of Our Own (AO3) for yourself by applying a site skin, or a creator may change the appearance of one of their works for everyone on the Archive by applying a work skin, these options aren't available for downloads. Work downloads contain minimal formatting for greater compatibility, as different devices, apps, and e-reader formats handle styling in different ways. By removing skins and applying only minimal formatting to downloadable files, we can ensure that they are compatible with as many devices and apps as possible.
For more information on site and work skins on the Archive, refer to the Skins and Archive Interface FAQ.
Can I disable downloads on my works?
No. One of our reasons for providing a download option on the Archive of Our Own (AO3) is accessibility. Downloads help give users more control over when, where, and how they access works.
For example, users with vision challenges, migraines, or dyslexia can download your work into an app or device which allows customized text display, text-to-speech, or low-glare options. Downloads accessed through lightweight devices may better accommodate users with weakness, pain, or injury to hands, wrists, or arms. Downloads also make works available to users with limited internet access.
These options are available for all works in order to ensure the Archive remains as accessible as possible.
While you can't disable downloads for your works, you can try limiting who has access to them. For information on how to limit access to your works, refer to How do I control who can access my works? and How can I hide my works from non-Archive users?
Where can I get more information if my question isn’t answered here?
Some frequently asked questions about the Archive are answered in other sections of the Archive FAQ, and some common terminology is defined in our Glossary. Questions and answers about our Terms of Service can be found in the Terms of Service FAQ. You may also like to check out our Known Issues. If you need more help, please submit a Support request.