RYA eBooks: How to Guide

 

How to: Buy RYA eBooks

Try a Taster First

Download a free "Taster" before you purchase a full eBook. This ensures that your device is compatible and that you're happy with the content before you commit to buy.

Navigate to the free "Tasters" section of the RYA Books app. Alternatively, download a sample from Apple Books or Google Play Books.

Choose How to Purchase Your eBook

You can buy RYA eBooks in four different ways:

  1. RYA website
  2. RYA Books in-app purchases
  3. Apple Books
  4. Google Play Books

We price match eBooks, print books, Apple Books, Google Play Books, and audiobooks where possible. RYA members are entitled to a discount on the RYA website only.

Buy eBooks through the RYA website, benefit from your RYA Members' discount, and read on the RYA Books app on three devices

When you buy a standalone eBook or an eBook Subscription from the RYA website, you'll receive an email confirmation. New customers will also receive login details and installation instructions for the RYA Books app. If you're an existing eBooks customer, your eBook will appear automatically in your RYA Books app.

You can also use your RYA Books login details to take advantage of Online Access to eBooks through your web browser.

Buy eBooks directly through the RYA Books app for iOS or Android – no RYA Books account required

You can navigate through the categories of the RYA Books app for iOS or Android and purchase an eBook. You'll need to sign in with your Apple ID or Google account to complete your purchase – your payment is processed by Apple or Google, not the RYA.

If you want to take advantage of your RYA Members' discount, please buy your eBooks through the RYA website instead.


Apple Books badge

Buy highly accessible Apple Books from the Apple Book Store

We're currently converting all RYA eBooks to Apple Books. These feature enhanced functionality and accessibility options, and are completely separate from the RYA Books app.

  1. Click "Get it on Apple Books" to view our available Apple Books.
  2. Buy directly through the Books app on your iOS or macOS device.
  3. Read your Apple Book on any iOS or macOS device that's signed into your Apple ID.

For Apple Books support, visit https://support.apple.com/en-gb/itunes. Note: Technical support queries, including refund requests, must be directed to Apple. The RYA does not handle these.


Google Play Store badge

Buy highly accessible Google Play Books from the Google Play Store

We're also releasing our eBooks as Google Play Books. These feature enhanced accessibility options, but don't currently support animations, videos or interactive tools.

  1. Click "Get it on Google Play" to view our available Google Play Books.
  2. Buy directly through the Google Play Store on your Android or iOS device, or your PC.
  3. Read your Google Play Book in the Play Books app on any Android or iOS device, or a PC that's signed into your Google account.

For Google Play Books support, visit https://support.google.com/googleplay?hl=en-GB#topic=3364260. Note: Technical support queries, including refund requests, must be directed to Google. The RYA does not handle these.

How to: Download RYA eBooks

Note: The RYA Books app is not available on macOS, Windows 7 or Kindle Fire. We recommend switching to an alternative platform, or using Online Access, to view eBooks using your web browser.

Select Your Device/Platform:


Apple App Store badge

  1. Tap "Download on the App Store" to download the app on your iOS device.
  2. Open the RYA Books app.
  3. If you bought an eBook through the RYA website, tap "Log In" in the top right corner. Enter your email address and your RYA Books app password. You can reset your password by tapping "Forgotten Your Password?"
  4. If you'd prefer to buy an eBook in-app, you don't need to log in. Simply browse the categories and tap an eBook to make your purchase.
  5. Screenshot from the RYA Books app for iOS, showing the home screen in landscape view

  6. Navigate to My eBooks > Owned. Tap an "Available" eBook to download it. Your downloaded eBooks will be stored in My eBooks > Downloaded.
  7. Screenshot from the RYA Books app for iOS, showing the My Owned eBooks section in landscape view


Google Play Store badge

  1. Tap "Get it on Google Play" to download the app on your Android device.
  2. Open the RYA Books app.
  3. If you bought an eBook through the RYA website, open the left-hand menu and tap "Log In". Enter your email address and your RYA Books app password. You can reset your password by tapping "Forgotten Your Password?"
  4. If you'd prefer to buy an eBook in-app, you don't need to log in. Simply browse the categories and tap an eBook to make your purchase.
  5. Screenshot from the RYA Books app for Android, showing the home screen in landscape view

  6. Navigate to My eBooks > Owned. Tap an "Available" eBook to download it. Your downloaded eBooks will be stored in My eBooks > Downloaded.
  7. Screenshot from the RYA Books app for Android, showing the My Owned eBooks section in landscape view


Windows 10 Store badge

  1. Click "Get it from Microsoft" to download the app on your Windows 10, Windows 11 or Windows 8.1 device.
  2. Open the RYA eBooks app.
  3. Expand the left-hand menu and click "Log In". Enter your email address and your RYA Books app password. You can reset your password by clicking "Forgotten Your Password?"
  4. Screenshot from the RYA Books app for Windows 10 and Windows 11, showing the home screen in landscape view

  5. Navigate to My eBooks > Owned. Click an "Available" eBook to download it. Your downloaded eBooks will be stored in My eBooks > Downloaded. If you don't see your eBook, minimise the left-hand menu.
  6. Screenshot from the RYA Books app for Windows 10 and Windows 11, showing the My Owned eBooks section in landscape view

The RYA Books app is not available on Windows 7. We recommend using an alternative platform or Online Access.

The RYA Books app is not currently available on macOS. We recommend using Online Access or checking whether an Apple Book version is available.

We are currently investigating the possibility of launching the RYA Books app and the World Sailing app on macOS, using Mac Catalyst technology. This would enable us to make our apps available on the latest Apple silicon Macs. We'll announce any updates as they become available.

The RYA Books app is not available on Kindle Fire. We recommend using an alternative platform or Online Access.

How to: Use Online Access

You can use Online Access to read your standard, subscription, and ePack eBooks through any web browser on your chosen device. This option does not require downloading the RYA Books app.


Online Access badge

  1. Purchase your RYA eBook or subscription through the RYA website, or redeem your eBook voucher.
  2. Locate your eBook(s) in one of the drop-down lists below (Standard eBooks, eBook Subscriptions, RCD Subscription Documents, or ePack eBooks) and click on the relevant title. This will open the eBook via Online Access in a new tab on your web browser.
  3. When prompted, log in with your RYA Books email address and RYA Books password. You can reset your password by clicking "Forgotten Your Password?"
  4. Once you've logged in, you'll be able to read your eBook within your web browser and utilise the zoom, comment, and annotation tools.

Screenshot showing the Online Access feature available for viewing RYA eBooks

Top Tip: Bookmark Online Access links in your browser for easy access.

Standard eBooks (Online Access Links)

eBook Subscriptions for Training Schemes (Online Access Links)

RCD Subscription Documents (Online Access Links)

Find out more about what's included in each standard here.

ePack eBooks (Online Access Links)

How to: Get Help (FAQs)

Here, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about RYA eBooks, the RYA Books app, Apple Books, and Google Play Books.

If you're experiencing difficulties, please read the questions and answers below before getting in touch. The information provided is intended to help you deal with any issues without delay and without further assistance.

If you can't find the answer you're looking for, you'll find the relevant eBook support contact details below.

When you purchase an eBook through the RYA website, you'll receive an email with login details. Please check your junk/spam folders.

If you can't locate your login details, download the RYA Books app, navigate to the login screen, enter your email address, and click "Forgotten Your Password?" You'll be emailed a link to reset your password.

Note: If you've purchased an eBook directly through the RYA Books app (in-app), you won't receive login details. You don't need to log in to read your eBook.

Navigate to the login screen of the RYA Books app. Enter your email address and click "Forgotten Your Password?". You will then be emailed a link to reset your password.

If you have exceeded the number of permitted logins, contact ebooks@rya.org.uk.

Note: Your RYA Books login details are separate from your RYA website details.

Note: If you've purchased an eBook through the RYA Books app (in-app), you won't receive login details. You don't need to log in to read your eBook.

If your RYA Recognised Training Centre has supplied you with an eBook voucher code, please visit About RYA ePacks for information on how to redeem it.

Once you've redeemed your code, you'll receive an email with instructions for How to: Download RYA eBooks. You'll also receive your password in a separate email.

If you haven't received your RYA Books app password, navigate to the login screen of the RYA Books app and click "Forgotten Your Password?" to set your own.

Note: Your email address is your username.

Note: eBook vouchers cannot be used to redeem Apple Books or Google Play Books.

If you have any questions, please contact your RYA Training Centre.

The RYA Books app is not currently available on macOS. We recommend using Online Access or checking whether an Apple Book version is available.

We are currently investigating the possibility of launching an RYA Books app and a World Sailing app for Mac, using Mac Catalyst technology. This would enable us to make our apps available on the latest Apple silicon Macs. We'll announce any updates as they become available.

A small number of our customers continue to use the old version of the RYA Books app. This software is based on Adobe AIR, which is no longer supported, stable or updated. As a result, we're unable to supply or support those apps, or publish new or updated content.

We recommend updating your app(s) as soon as possible to ensure that you can access the latest eBook content. Please install the most recent version of the RYA Books app or use Online Access to view your eBooks. You can continue to use your existing RYA Books login credentials.

When you purchase eBooks directly through the RYA Books app for iOS or Android, your payment is processed by Apple or Google, not the RYA. These are called "in-app" purchases.

Depending on your device, your payment is processed by Apple or Google, not the RYA.

Note: you don't need to log in to the RYA Books app to access these purchases.

Find out more about the different ways to buy RYA eBooks, including the differences between "in-app" purchases and those made through the RYA website.

If you can't locate your eBooks in the My eBooks > Owned section of the RYA Books app, please ensure that your device is logged into your Apple ID or Google Play account.

If you're using an iOS device, tap the question mark (?) in the top-right corner of the RYA Books app home screen, then click "Restore Purchases".

We ask all customers to download the RYA Books app on their chosen device before making a purchase. This ensures that the app is supported on your device and that you're happy with the format of our eBooks.

The RYA Books app is not currently available on macOS. We recommend using Online Access or checking whether an Apple Book version is available.

Not all Android apps work on all Chromebook models. The RYA Books app is not currently supported on all Chromebooks. We ask that you download the RYA Books app from the Google Play Store on your Chromebook to test whether your device is supported before purchasing an eBook.

You can find out more about Chromebook apps, here.

If your internet connection is interrupted when downloading an eBook on the RYA Books app for iOS, you may receive a "Missing .xml file" error.

In this instance, tap the question mark (?) in the top-right corner of the RYA Books app home screen, then click "Restore Purchases". If this doesn't rectify the issue, please try deleting the eBook and downloading it again. If you still receive the error message, uninstall and reinstall the RYA Books app.

We're currently in the process of converting our eBooks to Apple Books and Google Play Books, so not all eBooks are available yet.

If an Apple Book or Google Play Book version of an eBook is available, you'll see a "Get It On Apple Books" or "Get It On Google Play" button in the shop.

Note: Apple Books and Google Play Books aren't available in all countries.

No.

Apple Books and Google Play Books are a different product and are non-transferable. Please ensure that you read How to: Buy RYA eBooks and purchase the right version for you.

If you purchased eBooks through the RYA website, please download the RYA Books app on your chosen device. Navigate to the login screen and enter your email address and the password you were emailed.

If you can't locate your login details, enter your email address on the app's login screen and click "Forgotten Your Password?" This will enable you to set your own password and log in.

Once you've logged in, your eBooks will be available for you to download in the My eBooks > Owned section.

If you purchased your eBook through the RYA Books app, see Where are my in-app purchases? above.

If you're unable to download your eBook, please ensure that you have an active internet connection. If you continue to experience technical difficulties, please use the contact information below.

If you've purchased Apple Books or Google Play Books, you can download these directly from those stores.

You can read your Apple Books using the Books app on iOS and macOS devices. This app is installed on most Apple devices as standard.

You can read Google Play Books using the Google Play Books app on Android or iOS devices, or by logging into Google Play using your browser.

Note: we recommend using the Google Play Books app on Android for the best experience and to take full advantage of Android's accessibility features. Viewing Google Play Books in your browser offers a more limited experience.

Buy Apple Books and Google Play Books directly through Apple Books or the Google Play Store.

Download the RYA Books app from the Microsoft Store.

Once you've logged into the app, your eBook will be available to download from the My eBooks > Owned section.

If you can't see your eBook, ensure that you've minimised the left-hand menu.

Open your PC's Settings and search for "Background apps". Ensure that "Let apps run in the background" is set to "On".

If your download is stuck on "Queued", right-click the book cover and select "Stop Download" then "Delete eBook". Next, download a free Taster and then try downloading your eBook again. If this fails, uninstall and re-install the RYA eBooks app.

Please visit www.rya.org.uk/go/subscriptions for more information.

Your previously purchased standalone eBooks won't be affected when your eBook subscription expires.

The World Sailing app is a partnership between World Sailing and the RYA to produce a multi-lingual app for the Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024 to include rules, case books, call books, and associated documents.

The app is available on iOS and Android. The integrated eBook is available as an in-app purchase and is not transferable between iOS and Android devices. If you'd like to access the integrated eBook on both iOS and Android devices, then you'll need to purchase it on both platforms.

Please visit www.rya.org.uk/go/wsapp for more information and download links.

Yes.

We recommend using both apps in full-screen mode when viewing interactive elements, to ensure that they display correctly.

You can log in to the RYA Books app on up to three devices. If you exceed this limit, you'll receive an error message.

You can read Apple Books and Google Play Books on any number of devices that are logged in with your Apple ID or Google Play account.

When you log in to the RYA Books app or access an eBook using Online Access through your browser, a unique ID is generated and is assigned to your account. This is used to determine the number of devices you're using.

When using Online Access, please avoid switching between browsers unnecessarily. Also, ensure that your browser isn't set to "Incognito" mode and doesn't clear cookies after each session. This will cause your unique ID to be reset and your next login will be recorded as a new device, which may result in exceeding your device limit.

Using a VPN shouldn't affect your device limit because your unique ID is generated by your device or browser, rather than your IP address.

If you're using a new device or are unable to log in after receiving an error message, please contact ebooks@rya.org.uk.

Note: uninstalling the RYA Books app on your other devices won't immediately resolve this issue.

Due to copyright, all eBooks are protected by digital rights management software (DRM). You are not permitted to print, copy, or export RYA eBooks to any other applications. We don't supply PDF or EPUB versions of our eBooks because this would enable unauthorised duplication and distribution of copyrighted content.

If you're using the RYA Books app for Windows 10, Windows 11, Android, or Online Access, you can share individual pages with another person who own the same eBook. If you're using the RYA Books app for iOS, you can share individual pages and a low-res image of the page. You cannot share the whole book.

Please read our full Terms & Conditions.

Yes.

After downloading your eBooks, remain logged into the RYA Books before disconnecting from the internet. You can continue to access your eBooks offline.

Apple Books are Google Play Books are also available offline once you've downloaded them.

Note: You won't receive any eBook updates while offline.

Please ensure that the mute switch on the side of your devices isn't engaged.

If this doesn't resolve the issue, make sure that "Do Not Disturb" or "Silent Mode" are set to "Off".

How to: Contact eBook Support

If your query isn't covered by the FAQs, please contact ebooks@rya.org.uk and supply the following information:

  • Your device details (iOS phone or tablet, Android phone or tablet, PC, macOS, for example).
  • Your operating system (iOS 14, Android 10, Windows 10, Windows 11, for example).
  • A full description of the issue you're experiencing.
  • Details of any actions that you've taken to rectify the issue.
  • Screenshots of any error messages.
  • Confirmation that you've read the FAQs.
  • If you have an eBook voucher query, please contact your RYA Recognised Training Centre for assistance.
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