Help and Instructions for Downloadable Products

Here you can find answers to the most common questions we receive about Tharpa's downloadable products, and instructions on how to get your downloads on to the most popular devices.

If you are having problems with your download and cannot find the answers here please Contact Us including your order number, the title of the product you have purchased and an explanation of the problem.

 

What format of EBOOK should I choose?

Tharpa eBooks come in 2 formats:
  • Epub
    • The .epub format is an open standard for e-books and works on most devices except Amazon Kindles.
    • Tharpa epubs can be purchased from Tharpa.com or iTunes. Purchases from Tharpa.com result in a greater proportion of the proceeds going to the International Temples Project fund.
  • Mobi (Kindle)
    • The mobi format is specific to Amazon Kindle but can be loaded on most devices by installing the Kindle app.
    • Note that you need an Amazon account to view mobi files using the Kindle app.
    • Tharpa mobi ebooks can be purchased from Tharpa.com or Amazon. Note that purchases from Tharpa.com result in a greater proportion of the proceeds going to the ITP.
    • Mobi ebooks purchased on Tharpa.com do not automatically appear on your Kindle device or app but can easily be sent to your device using the Amazon "send-to-kindle" function.

 

What device and software do I need to read EBOOKS?

Tharpa ebooks (epub and mobi) can be read on most devices. You can read them on your smartphone, tablet, eReader or computer.

Whatever your device, you need to ensure you have suitable ereading software (an app) installed on the device first. Often, devices do not come with the necessary apps pre-installed so we recommend searching for "epub reader" or "Kindle app" in the marketplace of your device. You will find many suitable apps to choose from, most of which are free.

Popular Devices
Below is a list of the most common devices including the ebook formats they support.

Device ePub Mobi (Kindle)
Amazon Kindle 1 No Yes
Amazon Kindle 2, DX No Yes
Amazon Kindle 3 No (Yes, if the Duokan alternate Kindle OS (third-party software add-on is used) Yes
Amazon Kindle Fire Yes (By adding epub capable apps, such as Aldiko) Yes
Android Devices Yes* Yes **
Apple iOS Devices Yes* Yes**
Barnes & Noble Nook Yes No
Barnes & Noble Nook Color Yes No
Kobo eReader Yes Yes**
Mac OS X Yes* Yes**
Windows Yes* Yes**
Windows Phone Yes* Yes**

* These devices require you to install a suitable epub reader app to view epubs. Search "epub reader" in the app store for your device.

** These devices require you to install the Kindle app to view Kindle ebooks. Search "Kindle" in the app store for your device.

 

How do I access my downloadable products?

You can find your downloadable products in your Tharpa.com account.
  1. Navigate to the Tharpa store from which you purchased your downloads. (US, UK, CA etc)
  2. Click on Login at the top of the page.
  3. Once logged in, go to the "My downloadable products" section (in the left column). From here you can select and download the digital items you have purchased.

 

My downloads have expired. What should I do?

For security reasons there is an initial limit to the number of times you can download a single file from Tharpa.com. Don’t worry if you run out of downloads just Contact Us and let us know your account name and the item, including title and format, that has expired and we’ll renew your access to the files.

 

EBOOK downloads - Quick overview

I’m having problems downloading EBOOKS onto my device

Choose your device from the list below and ensure that you have followed the correct steps before contacting us:

Android phones and tablets

  1. Download and install a suitable ebook reader on your device. Search "epub reader" or "Kindle app" in the app store for your device depending on which format of ebook you wish to use.
  2. Download your ebook file from Tharpa.com onto your computer. Save it somewhere you can easily find it, such as your Desktop.
  3. Open your eReader app and from within the app open your Tharpa ebook.
  4. For Kindle ebooks you first need to "send" your ebook to your kindle account (see instructions below for Kindle)

Apple Mac, Ipad, Iphone or Ipod Touch (epub)

First, check that your device's software is up to date and that you have the iBooks app installed on it:

  1. Connect your device to your computer and open iTunes. If prompted, allow iTunes to install the latest software update. When the update has completed, disconnect your device from your computer.
  2. Check that you have the iBooks app on your device. If you don't, install it from the AppStore app.

Then,
-- EITHER --

Download the eBook directly on your device:

  1. In your Safari browser log into your Tharpa.com account and go to the "My downloadable products" section. (in the left column)
  2. Click the relevant link to download the ebook you have purchased.
  3. Wait for a few seconds as it loads. (This may take several minutes with larger files, and the browser window may appear blank at first. This is normal as the file loads.)
  4. On the gray page that appears, select the button "Open in iBooks". (On devices with smaller screens such as iPod Touch, you may need to scroll around the page to find the button!)
  5. The iBooks app will open and the eBook will appear, ready to read!

-- OR --

Download Tharpa eBooks to your computer and sync to your device using iTunes:

Getting your ebook into your iTunes Library

  1. On your computer log into your Tharpa.com account and go to the "My downloadable products" section (in the left column)
  2. Click the relevant link to download the ebook you have purchased. Save it somewhere you can find it easily, such as your Desktop.
  3. Open iTunes on your computer.
  4. Drag the ePUB files into "Books" in your iTunes Library
  5. iTunes will import it, and the ebook will appear in your Books Library.
  6. Alternatively from itunes go to the menu bar and click "File" and select "Add file to library" or "Add folder to library." Navigate to where you saved the ePUB file and select it. iTunes will import it, and the ebook will appear under "Books" in your iTunes Library.

    Getting your ebook from your iTunes Library to your device

  7. Complete steps 1-6 above.
  8. Connect your device to your computer and sync it with iTunes.
  9. Before disconnecting your device, check that the eBook has been transferred: select your device from the list on the left of iTunes, then select the "Books" tab in the window on the right. The checkbox for the eBook should be ticked. If it isn't, click the checkbox and then select the "Sync" button at the bottom-right. iTunes will now transfer the book to your device.
  10. If you do not wish to sync your device with iTunes simply drag the relevant ebook from "Books" in your iTunes Library onto your device.
  11. Disconnect your device from your computer. Open the iBooks app—the eBook will appear, ready to read!

Note: The first generation (2007) iPod Touch cannot be updated to run the iBooks software. If you find that you cannot install iBooks on your device, install the Kindle app from the AppStore instead, and download the Mobi version of Tharpa ebooks.

Kindle (mobi)

Each Kindle account has a unique kindle email address. You can send your Tharpa ebooks to your Kindle device (and Kindle apps on other devices) simply by emailing the ebook as an attachment to your unique Kindle address. This is part of Amazon’s Personal Document Service, also known as send-to-kindle. Note that you must send the ebook from the email address that you used to set up your Amazon account.

  1. Log in to your Tharpa.com account and go to the "My downloadable products" section (in the left column)
  2. Download your mobi Kindle ebook to your device or computer. Save it in a place that you can easily find, such as your desktop or My Documents.
  3. Open your regular email programme (this needs to be the email address you used to set up your Amazon account)
  4. Compose a new email and attach the mobi Kindle file (that you just downloaded) to the email. No subject line or content is required, just the attached ebook.
  5. Send the email to your personal kindle address. Usually this ends in ….@kindle.com. You can find this in the settings on your device or by logging into your Amazon account and going to: Your Account > Manage your content and devices.
  6. Turn on your kindle and connect it to the internet so that it can receive the file. The file will then appear on your kindle device and apps.

Windows PC (epub or mobi)

  1. First download and install a suitable ebook reader on your computer such as Calibre or Adobe Digital Editions (for epub files) or the Amazon Kindle app (for mobi files).
  2. Download your ebook file from Tharpa.com onto your computer.Save it somewhere you can easily find it, such as your Desktop.
  3. Open your eReader app and from within the app open your Tharpa ebook.
  4. For Kindle ebooks you first need to ‘send’ your ebook to your kindle account (see instructions above for Kindle).

Other Devices

  1. If your device is not listed above, please consult the user manual or contact your device provider.

AUDIO products downloads - Quick overview

I’m having problems downloading AUDIO products onto my device

Please note that audio files will not work until they have been extracted from their zip folder. Read on for more information.

Most Tharpa audio products are multi-track products and are provided in a zipped format. Providing them in a zipped format means that you have fewer items to download. Using a zip format makes the download process simpler, but once you have downloaded them you do need to unzip/extract the files before using them.

Choose your device:

Windows PC

  1. Log in to your Tharpa.com account and go to the 'My downloadable products' section (in the left column).
  2. Use the download links to download your zip files to your device or computer. Save it in a place that you can easily find, such as your desktop or My Documents.
  3. Once downloaded, navigate to the zip file(s), right click on them and select ‘Extract All’.
  4. Choose the destination you want the files to be extracted to (in other words, where you want the audio to be saved).
  5. Click Extract/OK and your audio files will be unpackaged to your chosen destination. From here you will be able to play the audio with your media player.

Ipad, Iphone or Ipod

We recommend you download your Tharpa audio to your computer first and then sync to your device using iTunes:

Download and extract the files

    1. On your computer log into your Tharpa.com account and go to the 'My downloadable products' section (in the left column).
    2. Click the relevant link to download the MP3 files you have purchased (note that these will normally download in a zip file). Save it somewhere you can find it easily, such as your Desktop.
    3. Once downloaded, navigate to the zip file(s), right click on it and select ‘Extract All’.
    4. Choose the destination you want the files to be extracted to (in other words, where you want the audio to be saved).
    5. Click Extract/OK and your audio files will be unpackaged to your chosen destination.

Add the audio files to your iTunes library

    1. Open iTunes on your computer.
    2. Drag the MP3 files into "Music" in your iTunes Library (NOT zip files - if you downloaded a zip, you will need to extract the files first).
    3. iTunes will import the files, and the audio tracks will appear in your Music Library.
    4. Alternatively from itunes go to the menu bar and click ‘File’ and select ‘Add file to library’ or ‘Add folder to library’. Navigate to where you saved the MP3 files and select them. iTunes will import them, and the audio tracks will appear under "Music" in your iTunes Library.

Sync the audio to your device

  1. Connect your device to your computer and
    EITHER:
  2. Sync it with iTunes.
    OR:
  3. Simply drag the relevant files from "Music" in your iTunes Library onto your device icon in iTunes.
  4. Before disconnecting your device, check that the MP3 files have been transferred: select your device from the list on the left of iTunes, then select the "Music" tab in the window on the right. You can either select the MP3 files from the album or artist menus. The checkboxes for the MP3 files should be ticked. If they aren’t ticked, go ahead and tick the relevant checkboxes and then select the "Sync" button at the bottom-right. iTunes will now transfer the MP3 files to your device.
  5. Disconnect your device from your computer.
  6. Open the Music app on your device - the MP3 files will appear, ready to listen to!

Alternatively, you can download these instructions for getting audio files onto your iphone. Click here.

Other tablet

  1. BEFORE YOU DOWNLOAD YOUR THARPA FILES, first download and install a ‘zip extractor’ app on your device (if you do not already have one). This will allow you to open the files from Tharpa once you receive them. These apps are usually free and can be found by searching for ‘zip extractor’ in the app store for your device. You only need to complete this step once as you will be able to use the same app for all future downloads.
  2. Then log in to your Tharpa.com account and go to the 'My downloadable products' section (in the left column).
  3. Use the download links to download your zip files to your device.
  4. When the download is complete you should be asked if you want to open/extract the files using the app you installed. Go ahead with this.
  5. The files will then be extracted and you should be able to play them using the media/music player on the device.

If my AUDIOBOOK comes in a zip file, how do I use it?

Most Tharpa audio products are multi-track products and are provided in a zipped format. Providing them in a zipped format means that you have fewer items to download. Using a zip format makes the download process much simpler, but once you have downloaded them you do need to unzip/extract the files before using them.

Follow the instructions for your device in the AUDIOBOOK section above.

 

I have questions about M4B AUDIOBOOK files - where should I start?

What is the M4B Audiobook file format and what are the benefits?

  1. The M4B file format is a complete Audiobook contained within a single file that is smaller than regular mp3 Audiobook files.
  2. Since the M4B format file is ready to use as soon as it is downloaded, there is no need to unzip anything.
  3. An M4B Audiobook comes pre-set with separate chapters, so you can easily skip to your favourite chapter.
  4. When you open an M4B Audiobook, the player automatically remembers where you got to the last time you were listening and returns you to that place.

Which Audiobook player should I use for an M4B file?

There are lots of Audiobook players out there, but these are the ones we recommend for the most commonly used devices...

  Apple Android Windows
  iPhone / iPad Mac Phone / Tablet PC / Laptop / Tablet
Audiobook players we recommend * iBooks / Books iTunes / Books Voice Audiobook Player or VLC Media Player VLC Media Player or iTunes
These apps won't let you play Tharpa M4B files Audible Audible Audible or Play Books Audible or Play Books

* Other apps / Audiobook players are available

 

How do I download an M4B Audiobook file?

You can find your downloadable products in your Tharpa.com account.
  1. Navigate to the Tharpa store from which you purchased your downloads (UK, US, CA, etc.).
  2. Use the ‘Login’ link at the top of the page.
  3. Once you have logged in, select 'My downloadable products' from the links in the left-hand column. From there you can select and download the digital items you have purchased.
  4. Once downloaded, you can play your Audiobook immediately - there’s no need to unzip anything.

How do I use an M4B Audiobook file on my iPhone or iPad?

  1. We recommend downloading your M4B Audiobook file to your computer and then importing it to your mobile Apple device using iTunes.
  2. Mobile Apple devices include a pre-installed Audiobook reader: ‘Books’ (or for older devices ‘iBooks’).
  3. You can sync your device through iTunes or you can manually drag your Audiobook file into your device.
  4. Find out more about downloading and reading Audiobooks on your iPhone or iPad.

How do I use an M4B Audiobook file on my Mac?

  1. When you download an M4B Audiobook file to your Mac, it will download to your default folder (‘Downloads’).
  2. Once downloaded, you can add your M4B Audiobook file to your preferred player (Books / iBooks or iTunes).

How do I use an M4B Audiobook file on my Android device?

  1. To play your M4B Audiobook file on an Android device, we recommend using either the Voice Audiobook Player or the VLC Media Player, both of which are free.
  2. When you first use the Voice Audiobook Player you will be prompted to select a default folder for storing Audiobooks on your device. Then, whenever you download a new Audiobook, you will need to add it to that default folder in order for the player to access the Audiobook.
  3. Whenever you launch the app, it will display all the Audiobooks stored within the default folder you have previously selected. You can then select the Audiobook you want to listen to.
  4. Having selected an Audiobook, if you wish to see all available chapters, click on the grey down arrowin the bottom right corner of the screen.
  5. For information about the VLC Media Player, see the answer to the next question.

How do I use an M4B Audiobook file on my Windows PC or phone?

  1. We recommend VLC Media Player to play M4B Audiobook files on a Windows PC or phone.
  2. Once you have downloaded the M4B Audiobook file to your default download folder, open the VLC Media Player and then either:
    1. ‘Drag and drop’ your M4B Audiobook file directly into the VLC Media Player window, or
    2. Select ‘Media > Open file > [Browse to the Audiobook location] > Select the Audiobook > Open’.
  3. To choose a chapter from the Audiobook, use the VLC Media Player menu and select ‘Playback > Chapter’.