2 Answers2025-07-07 14:02:27
Mobi files used to be the gold standard for Kindle devices, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. Amazon phased out Mobi support in 2022, favoring their newer formats like AZW3 and KFX. It’s wild how quickly tech changes—I remember sideloading Mobi files onto my old Kindle Paperwhite without a hitch. Now, unless you’re using ancient hardware or third-party apps like Calibre for conversion, Mobi’s compatibility is on life support. Most modern e-readers, including Kobo and Nook, never supported Mobi natively. They lean toward EPUB, which is like the universal language of e-books.
If you’re sitting on a pile of Mobi files, don’t panic. Tools like Calibre can convert them to EPUB faster than you can say 'format war.' But here’s the kicker: even Kindles now handle EPUBs (via email conversion), making Mobi feel like a relic. The only folks still clinging to Mobi are die-hard fans of older Kindles or people who hate change. For everyone else, it’s time to embrace EPUB or Amazon’s newer formats. The irony? Mobi’s decline mirrors how quickly digital standards evolve—today’s must-have is tomorrow’s junk drawer filler.
3 Answers2026-07-13 08:10:57
Most of the time, it's fine, but I've seen more than a few people get tripped up, especially if they're new to e-readers. Mobi files are basically Amazon's old, proprietary format, and while Kindles still handle them perfectly, other devices can be hit or miss. A modern Kobo or a Nook won't open them natively. My sister tried sending a mobi to her iPad using the Books app and just got a blank icon.
Really, the main headache is that mobi doesn't support newer features like custom fonts or advanced formatting as well as epub does. If you're buying books from non-Amazon stores, you're probably getting an epub anyway. Converting mobi to epub with a tool like Calibre is dead simple, though. I've got a whole folder of mobi files from years ago that I just batch-converted before sideloading them to my Kobo Libra. Works like a charm now.
3 Answers2025-08-11 10:03:26
I've noticed that major publishers like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette Book Group often release their novels in mobi format, especially for Kindle users. Smaller indie publishers sometimes stick to epub, but platforms like Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing make it easy for authors to convert their work into mobi. I remember grabbing 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides in mobi from Macmillan, so they’re definitely in the game too. If you’re looking for classics, Project Gutenberg offers tons of public domain books in mobi, which is a lifesaver for vintage lit lovers like me.
2 Answers2025-08-15 20:45:46
I’ve been deep in the ebook game for years, and the whole PDF-to-MOBI conversion thing is a mess if you don’t know where to look. Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the obvious one—they literally built the MOBI format, so uploading a PDF there usually gets you a clean conversion, though their system can butcher complex layouts. Smashwords is another solid choice; they don’t *exclusively* support MOBI, but their meatgrinder tool spits out MOBI files if you feed it a PDF, along with EPUB and others. Draft2Digital is similar, with smoother formatting but less control.
Then there’s the wildcard: smaller publishers like BookBaby or Lulu. They’ll convert PDFs to MOBI, but you’re paying for the service, and results vary. Honestly, if you’re serious about quality, I’d skip relying on publishers entirely and use Calibre to convert manually. Most publishers just outsource to tools like that anyway, and you’ll dodge the weird formatting glitches they never fix.
4 Answers2025-06-04 11:30:24
I've navigated the maze of file formats more times than I can count. The MOBI format, once a Kindle staple, has seen shifts in publisher support. Major players like Amazon's own publishing arm still prioritize MOBI for legacy Kindle readers, though they're transitioning to EPUB. I've noticed indie publishers on platforms like SmashWords often provide MOBI among multiple format options for maximum compatibility.
Traditional publishers like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins typically distribute through retailers rather than direct downloads, so their format depends on the vendor. For instance, purchasing from Amazon automatically gives you MOBI (or the newer KFX), while Kobo delivers EPUB. Smaller presses specializing in niche genres—especially sci-fi/fantasy houses like Tor—frequently offer MOBI directly on their websites alongside PDFs. The key is checking the publisher's 'download options' page or looking for 'Kindle compatible' labels.
3 Answers2025-08-02 17:25:34
I've found that many publishers are quite flexible with format conversions. Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing allows authors to upload PDFs and convert them to MOBI format for Kindle devices. Project Gutenberg is another great resource—they offer classic literature in multiple formats, including MOBI, and you can often convert their PDFs easily. Some smaller indie publishers like Smashwords also provide MOBI conversions, though they primarily focus on EPUB.
I remember when I first discovered Calibre, a free tool that lets you convert PDFs to MOBI yourself. It’s a game-changer because even if a publisher doesn’t offer MOBI directly, you can often do it yourself. Just make sure to check the copyright terms before converting anything.
3 Answers2025-07-07 09:08:40
mostly in mobi format for my Kindle, and I've noticed that big-name publishers like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette Book Group usually offer mobi files. They have massive catalogs covering everything from bestsellers to niche genres. Smaller indie presses sometimes skip mobi since it's Amazon-exclusive, but platforms like Smashwords let authors upload mobi versions directly. If you're into sci-fi or fantasy, Tor and Baen Books are solid choices—they often bundle mobi with other formats. Always check the publisher's website or Amazon's Kindle Store; older titles might only have epub, but newer releases usually include mobi.
3 Answers2025-08-11 06:39:07
I always look for mobi files since they work great on my Kindle. Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing is the big one—they dominate the mobi market because of Kindle compatibility. But other publishers like Smashwords and Kobo also offer mobi, though they’ve shifted more toward epub lately. Project Gutenberg is a lifesaver for public domain books, and they provide mobi downloads for free. Some smaller indie publishers, like Tor and Baen Books, still distribute mobi versions, especially for sci-fi and fantasy fans. It’s getting harder to find mobi files now that Amazon’s pushing their newer formats, but those are the main ones I rely on.
5 Answers2025-07-06 07:45:02
I’ve noticed many major publishers cater to mobi and pdf readers. Heavyweights like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette often release their titles in these formats, especially for popular fiction and non-fiction. Independent platforms like Smashwords and Kobo Writing Life also offer a wide range of self-published works in mobi and pdf.
For classics, Project Gutenberg is a goldmine, providing free public domain books in multiple formats, including mobi and pdf. Niche publishers like Baen Books specialize in sci-fi and fantasy, often releasing their works in these formats too. If you’re into manga or light novels, publishers like J-Novel Club and Yen Press sometimes offer digital versions compatible with mobi readers, though epub is more common. Always check the publisher’s website or platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for the latest format options.
2 Answers2025-07-07 10:50:35
the mobi format used to be the gold standard for Kindle users. Amazon's own publishing imprints like Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Amazon Publishing release tons of titles in mobi, though they've been pushing more toward the newer KFX format lately. Traditional big-name publishers like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins also distribute mobi files through retailers, especially for their backlist titles.
What's interesting is how smaller indie publishers handle file types. Many authors going through platforms like Draft2Digital or Smashwords can opt to include mobi in their distribution, even though EPUB is becoming more universal. Some niche publishers specializing in genres like romance or sci-fi still prioritize mobi because their reader base is heavily Kindle-dependent. The shift away from mobi is happening, but you'll still find it offered alongside EPUB on sites like Kobo or direct from author websites.