How to Import EPUB, MOBI, or TXT for Language Learning
Before opening the upload flow, confirm five things: you are authorized to use the file, it is TXT, EPUB, or MOBI, it is no larger than 10 MB, it is not DRM-protected or encrypted, and your library contains fewer than 10 imported books.
TortoLingua does not support PDF or every ebook format. It also does not remove DRM or other access protection.
Compatibility checklist
| Check | Required result |
|---|---|
| Rights | You are authorized to upload and use the file. |
| Format | TXT, EPUB, or MOBI only. |
| Size | 10 MB or smaller. |
| Protection | No DRM or encryption. |
| Library | Fewer than 10 imported books before adding another. |
If the file passes these checks, continue through the read your own books app page.
Import the file
- Open your private library in TortoLingua.
- Choose the import action and select the authorized TXT, EPUB, or MOBI file.
- Wait for the current interface to finish processing; completion is not guaranteed to be instant.
- Open the parsed book and verify that its text is readable.
- Read with contextual translation, save selected vocabulary, and return to the stored reading position later.
Button labels can vary by platform version. Follow the current interface rather than screenshots from an older release.
What TortoLingua stores
The original uploaded file is not retained. A parsed representation of the content is stored so the private reader, contextual translation, saved vocabulary, and resume position can work. Imported books are private to your account, and TortoLingua does not provide book sharing. Do not summarize this as “nothing is stored.”
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
| PDF or another format is rejected | PDF is unsupported. Use an authorized TXT, EPUB, or MOBI source file; this guide does not promise conversion. |
| The file is larger than 10 MB | It exceeds the current per-file limit. Use a lawful smaller source; do not bypass content protection. |
| The library already has 10 books | Remove a book through the current verified UI before importing another. |
| The book is DRM-protected or encrypted | It cannot be imported. TortoLingua does not provide circumvention instructions. |
| Text is empty or garbled | Check the source file. A matching extension does not guarantee valid or extractable content. |
| Processing fails temporarily | Retry only through the current interface and use the current support path if the problem continues. |
Unsupported reading modes
- There is no PDF support.
- There is no offline mode for imported-book reading or translation.
- There is no generated audio, narration, or text-to-speech for imported books.
- There is no sharing feature for imported books.
- DRM-protected or encrypted books remain unsupported.
Continue with a readable book
After import, use the reading level checklist to test a page. The full guide to reading foreign-language books with translation explains selective translation, vocabulary, privacy, and realistic learning limits. The TortoLingua reading walkthrough covers the broader session loop.
Importing a book does not guarantee fluency, CEFR progress, exam results, or a learning timeline. It gives you a private reading workflow for content you are authorized to use.
Verified import summary
- TXT, EPUB, and MOBI are supported; each file can be up to 10 MB, with up to 10 imported books per user.
- Imported books are private to the account, with no book-sharing feature.
- The original file is not retained. A parsed representation is stored.
- You can resume reading, use contextual translation, and save vocabulary.
- PDF is not supported.
- DRM-protected or encrypted books cannot be imported, and no bypass instructions are provided.
- Offline reading and offline translation are not supported for imported books.
- Audio and narration are not supported for imported books.
Import a supported file
Check the file before you add it to your private library.
Use an authorized TXT, EPUB, or MOBI file no larger than 10 MB, then open it in the TortoLingua reader.
