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Using the app

Library, search, and collections​

The library screen lists the books available on your server. From there you can:

  • Search by title, author, or series.
  • Filter with smart scopes — saved filters your server administrator or you have defined.
  • Browse collections, authors, and series pages.
  • Open a book's detail page for metadata, description, and available formats.

Reading ebooks​

BookOrbit's reader is built on foliate.js and supports EPUB, MOBI, AZW3, FB2 and CBZ ebooks, plus a separate native PDF reader. It syncs reading progress (via CFI) back to your server, so you can pick up where you left off on another device or in the web client. The reader includes adjustable themes, font size, and layout settings.

In Settings → Reading, Reader interface defaults to App. You can opt into Server web reader to use your server's familiar reading interface for ebooks, PDFs, and comics. Web mode requires a connection to the server and uses the server reader's settings and progress saving behavior. Downloaded files remain available through App mode. The floating web-reader options button lets you reload, return to the app, or choose Open in App for the current book without changing your saved preference.

Full-screen reading hides Android's status and navigation bars in either interface. It is enabled by default; swipe from a screen edge to reveal the system bars temporarily, or disable it in Settings → Reading. In App mode, tap the center of an ebook page to show or hide the reader controls in either paginated or scrolling layouts.

Listening to audiobooks​

Audiobook playback uses Media3/ExoPlayer, with:

  • Background playback via a foreground service, so audio continues when you leave the app.
  • Media-style notification controls (play/pause, skip, seek).
  • Playback speed control and sleep timer.
  • Progress sync back to the server, with a Continue Listening shortcut for resuming quickly.

Downloads and offline use​

Books and audiobooks can be downloaded for offline access. Downloaded files are stored locally on your device; you can manage or remove them from the downloads screen. Deleting a download only removes the local copy — it does not affect the book on your server.

Account and data​

See the privacy policy for details on what data the app handles and where it's stored. In short: everything goes to the server you configure, and nothing is sent to the developer.