Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Essential Skills
    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Read Books on Android with Google Play Books

    Google Play Books is a free reading app for Android phones and tablets. Buy books from Google, find free classics, and read with adjustable text size and night mode.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Open Google Play Books
    2. 2.Browse and buy books
    3. 3.Find free books
    4. 4.Adjust reading settings
    5. 5.Upload PDFs and other documents
    1

    Open Google Play Books

    ~16s
    Look for the Google Play Books app on your Android phone — it has a blue icon with a white letter "G" and a book. If it's not installed, open the Play Store and search "Google Play Books" to install it free. Sign in with your Google account.
    2

    Browse and buy books

    ~21s
    Tap "Shop" at the bottom to open the Google Play Books store. Browse categories, bestseller lists, and new arrivals. Tap a book to see the description and price. Tap "Buy" to purchase — payment uses the card saved to your Google account. Books download immediately.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Tap "Free sample" to read the first few pages of any book before deciding to buy.

    3

    Find free books

    ~15s
    In the Shop, tap "Categories" and look for the "Free" section, or search for a classic title. Books with an expired copyright (published before 1928) are free: Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Wizard of Oz, and thousands more.
    4

    Adjust reading settings

    ~18s
    While reading, tap the middle of the screen to see the reading controls. Tap the "Aa" icon to adjust: text size (go large — there's no wrong answer), line spacing, and background. Tap the moon icon for Night Mode, which shows white text on a black background to reduce eye strain in dim rooms.
    5

    Upload PDFs and other documents

    ~18s
    If you have PDF files you'd like to read — instruction manuals, documents, anything in PDF format — tap the "Library" tab, then the upload button. Select the PDF from your phone's storage and it appears in your Library alongside your books. Google Play Books even lets you add notes and highlights to PDFs.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Read Books on Android with Google Play Books

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Google Play Books is Google's ebook reading app — it comes pre-installed on most Android phones and is also available on iPhone and iPad. It works like a personal library on your phone: you can buy books from Google Play, download free classic literature, upload PDF files you already own, and read everything in one app.

    The reading experience is comfortable and customizable. You can set the text size as large as you need, choose from several font styles, and switch to night mode (light text on dark background) for reading in dim light. The app syncs your reading position across all your devices — start on your phone, continue on your tablet, exactly where you left off.

    Many people use Google Play Books alongside their library's Libby app — one for purchased books and one for free library borrows.

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    google play books
    ebooks
    android reading
    digital books
    reading app

    Official Resources

    GCFGlobal — Free Digital SkillsAARP Technology TipsSenior Planet

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Read Books on iPhone and iPad with Apple Books

    Next →

    How to Listen to Podcasts on iPhone Using Apple Podcasts

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    Our verified technicians can fix this issue for you — remotely or in person.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Related Guides

    How to Create a Strong Password

    Learn the rules for creating passwords that are nearly impossible to crack.

    1 min read

    How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Any Account

    Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts with 2FA — a must for everyone.

    2 min read

    How to Identify Phishing Emails

    Spot fake emails designed to steal your personal information before you fall for them.

    2 min read

    How to Read Books on Android with Google Play Books — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure