How to read an Archive of Our Own story on Android
You can read an Archive of Our Own story on an Android phone or tablet by downloading it as an EPUB with WP Downloader and opening the file in an Android reading app. PDF is also available if you prefer that format.
Download the AO3 story with WP Downloader
WP Downloader is a free web tool, with nothing to install. It accepts story links from archiveofourown.org, archiveofourown.com, and archiveofourown.net.
- Open the AO3 downloader in your browser.
- Copy the link to the Archive of Our Own story you want to read. A story link looks like this:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/123456- Paste the link into WP Downloader.
- Choose whether to include the story’s images.
- Download the story as an EPUB. EPUB is free for everyone.
- To download a PDF instead, sign in with a free Discord account and select PDF.
For AO3, WP Downloader downloads the whole story. It does not download individual chapters or lists. If the author adds more chapters, download the story again to get a new copy with those chapters. An EPUB you already downloaded will not update automatically.
For more detailed instructions, see how to download AO3 fanfiction.
Choose EPUB or PDF for Android
EPUB works with the Android reading apps covered below and is free to download through WP Downloader.
PDF is another option if you prefer it. PDF downloads require a free Discord sign-in.
WP Downloader does not create MOBI, AZW3, or TXT files.
Open the story in Google Play Books
Google Play Books lets you upload your own DRM-free EPUB and PDF files. You can then read them on Android, iPhone, iPad, or the web.
There are two ways to upload the downloaded story:
- Use the Google Play Books website on a computer to upload the EPUB or PDF from your computer or Google Drive.
- Upload the file through the Google Play Books Android app.
After uploading the file, open the story in the Play Books app on your Android phone or tablet.
Very large stories can reach Google’s upload size limit. If that happens, open the EPUB directly in another Android reader.
Read the EPUB in an Android reading app
Moon+ Reader opens EPUB files on Android. Open the downloaded AO3 EPUB in the app to begin reading.
Moon+ Reader also has a built-in text-to-speech mode. It uses the text-to-speech voices installed on your device, so the narration depends on those voices.
@Voice Aloud Reader is another Android app that reads EPUB files aloud. It also uses your device’s text-to-speech voices.
Use Android’s Select to Speak feature
Android has an accessibility feature called Select to Speak. Turn it on under Settings, then Accessibility. Once enabled, you can tap items on the screen to hear them read aloud.
The narration uses the text-to-speech voices installed on your phone or tablet.
Members-only and restricted AO3 stories
Signing in to Archive of Our Own through WP Downloader is optional. Sign in when you want to download a members-only story that your AO3 account can already read.
WP Downloader uses your account credentials only to fetch the story you requested. It downloads only content your account can access and cannot bypass paywalls, locked content, or age restrictions.
WP Downloader’s support for AO3 and other fiction archives was ported from FanFicFare, the open-source fanfiction downloader.
Other ways to read your downloaded story
You can also follow the guides for sending AO3 stories to Kindle or reading AO3 stories on Kobo.
FAQ
Can I read an AO3 story on Android as an EPUB?
Yes. Download the story as an EPUB with WP Downloader, then open it in Google Play Books, Moon+ Reader, or another EPUB reader.
Do I need an AO3 account?
Public stories do not require an account. You can sign in with your AO3 account to download members-only stories that the account can access.
Can WP Downloader download one AO3 chapter?
No. For Archive of Our Own, WP Downloader downloads whole stories only. It does not download single chapters or lists.
Can my Android phone read an AO3 story aloud?
Yes. Moon+ Reader has a text-to-speech mode, @Voice Aloud Reader reads EPUB files aloud, and Android’s Select to Speak can read items on the screen.
Will my EPUB update when the AO3 story gets a new chapter?
No. Download the story again with WP Downloader to create a new EPUB containing the latest available chapters.