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sum358339285iik
Participant
March 31, 2026
Question

Cannot open .acsm files from Google Play Books

I'm getting the following error in Adobe Digital Editions (v4.5.12.85) on Mac every time I try to open .acsm files purchased from Google Play Books:

"Unable to download. Error getting License. License Server Communication Problem: E_ADEPT_XML_SYNTAX"

Solutions I've already tried:

  • Deauthorized (Ctrl+Shift+D) and reauthorized with my Adobe ID
  • Deleted all ADE data from ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Digital Editions/
  • Completely uninstalled and reinstalled ADE (clean install)
  • Reauthorized with the same Adobe ID used for the purchases
  • Downloaded fresh .acsm files after reinstalling

None of these steps made any difference. Same error every time.

I also contacted Google Play support first, and they said this is an Adobe-side issue. Then I contacted Adobe support directly, but was told ADE doesn't have support and was directed here.

Has anyone been able to resolve this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I just want to read the books I paid for.

Thank you.

    3 replies

    necozy
    Participant
    April 16, 2026

    It seems due to google play books.
    Now I’m in same trouble and asking google many times.
    Would be having a solution soon(I hope) then I will post.
    By the way it doesn’t matter Mac or PC probably.

    cheers

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    Participant
    September 9, 2026

    Hei, did you get it resolved by any chance? I have the same issue.

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    Participant
    September 15, 2026

    I also have the same problem. I buy book from google play book, I tried to open the file from my phone, pc, ipad which are open with authorize adobe id. I tried reinstall many version, but it doens’t work. When i click to open acsm file. I always get error message “Unable to downlaod 
    Error getting license. License Server Communication Problem: E_ADEPT_DOCUMENT_TYPE_UNKNOWN”

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