Which file for which device,
and how to get it there.
The Lantern Bible comes as three ePubs and ten PDFs. The ePub reflows to fit any screen; the PDFs are fixed pages, typeset for a particular size. Most devices read one of those well and the other badly — so here is which to pick for the readers and tablets people actually own, and how to load it.
Pick your device
If yours is not listed, the rule of thumb is simple: an e-reader wants the ePub, a device you write on wants a PDF.
| Device | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| reMarkable | PDF · Tablet or Tabloid | It turns an ePub into a PDF on import anyway — better to use the one we typeset |
| Kindle | ePub, through Send to Kindle | Amazon converts it for you; a Kindle cannot open an ePub copied over USB |
| Kindle Scribe | PDF · Tablet, annotation margin | A PDF is what you can write on |
| Kobo | ePub | Kobo reads ePub natively — just copy it across |
| Xteink | ePub · Reader’s edition | A small screen and simple software; the lightest file suits it best |
| Boox & Android e-ink | Either | ePub to read, a PDF to write on |
| iPad & tablets | ePub, or a PDF for handwriting | Apple Books for reading; Goodnotes and the annotation margin for study |
| Phones | ePub, or the app | No fixed page is small enough to read comfortably on a phone |
Every file is free. If the first one is not right, come back for another.
Reflowing text or fixed pages
The same Bible, the same text and footnotes, set two different ways.
ePub For reading
- The text reflows to fit your screen, and you choose the type size
- Much the smallest download — 2.7 to 5.1 MB
- The right choice for almost every e-reader and phone
- There are no pages as such, so there is nowhere fixed to write
PDF For writing
- Fixed pages, typeset for one size of screen, with our own column and page breaks
- What pen tablets are built to annotate — your notes stay where you put them
- The annotation-margin editions give a third of each page over to space for writing
- On a screen much smaller than it was set for, the type gets too small to read
Choosing a PDF size. Each PDF is cut to the smallest screen in its class, so every device in that class scales the page up rather than down. Compact (105×140 mm) suits 6–7″ e-readers. Tablet (148×210 mm) suits screens of about 10″. Tabloid (179×265 mm) suits 12″ screens and larger. The download table lists every size and layout for each edition.
On a black-and-white screen, the words of Christ, set in blue in every edition, show as a slightly lighter grey. On a colour e-ink screen they show in blue.
Getting it onto your device
reMarkable
A reMarkable can open an ePub, but it converts it to a PDF on import so that you can write on it — and that PDF is laid out by the tablet, not by us. Import one of our PDFs instead and you get the pages as they were typeset: our columns, our page breaks, and a table of contents that follows the file.
Use the Tablet size on a reMarkable 2 and Tabloid on the larger Paper Pro. For study, choose the annotation-margin layout.
To load it, drag the file into the reMarkable desktop or mobile app, or onto my.remarkable.com.
Kindle
A Kindle cannot open an ePub copied over USB — but Amazon’s Send to Kindle accepts one and converts it for you. Send the ePub from the Send to Kindle page on Amazon’s website, from the Kindle app, or by email to your Kindle address, and it appears in your library.
Amazon’s conversion may substitute its own fonts, but the text, footnotes and table of contents carry over.
On a Kindle Scribe, send the Tablet annotation-margin PDF instead, so that you can write on it.
Kobo
Kobo reads ePub natively. Connect the reader to your computer over USB, copy the ePub onto it, and eject — the book appears in your library.
Optional: renaming the file to end in .kepub.epub before copying it opens the book in Kobo’s own reading engine, which some people find faster to page through. The plain .epub works either way.
Xteink
The Xteink X4 is a pocket reader with a 4.3″ screen and deliberately simple software. It reads ePub; PDF support is not something to count on, and no fixed page would be readable at that size anyway.
Use the Reader’s ePub — the smallest file, with no footnotes or outlines to navigate around on a small screen. Copy it onto the microSD card, or send it across with Xteink’s companion app. It is a whole Bible, so give it a moment to open the first time.
Boox & Android e-ink
Boox and other Android-based e-ink tablets open both formats. Use the ePub for reading, and a PDF in the size that matches your screen when you want to write in the margins.
Copy the file across over USB, or download it straight onto the device from the download page.
iPad & tablets
For reading, open the ePub in Apple Books or any ePub app. For handwriting, use a Tablet annotation-margin PDF in an app that does pencil annotation and follows the file’s table of contents, such as Goodnotes.
Or install the Lantern Bible app, which adds search, the topical index, highlights and notes.
Phones
A phone screen is too small for a fixed page, so use the ePub in Apple Books, Google Play Books or any ePub reader.
Or install the Lantern Bible app — the same text and typography, with search, highlights and notes, and no network connection at all.
Ready to download?
Three ePub and ten PDF editions, every one free. If your device is not covered here, or a file will not open, tell us and we will add it to this guide.