I’m sure it was a minor oversight on their part–I mean, surely they are not just trying to sell more books or anything–but the process of side-loading DRM-protected ebooks on the Barnes and Noble Nook (and Nook color) is less than well documented.  Well, I figured it out, so here’s how it’s done!

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What you need:

• Nook (color)
• Nook USB cable
• Adobe Digital Editions (get it here)
• Windows PC or Mac (Unfortunately, no native Linux support yet)

NOTE: Before you get started, there’s a crucial thing to point out.  Your Adobe credentials need to be the same on the Nook as in ADE.

Overview

Just a real quick primer on how Adobe DRM works.  When you download an Adobe DRM protected epub or pdf, what you are really downloading is a “voucher” if you will.  It’s a file that ends in .acsm extension.  Without going into too much technical details, this .acsm file contains the DRM particulars (i.e. lending period, purchase information, copy and print limitations, etc.)  These .acsm files are opened with Adobe Digital Editions software which, in turn, downloads the actual ebook from your source.  It’s CRITICAL that you associate your ADE software with your Adobe ID BEFORE you open the acsm file.  Failure to do this will open the file with the credentials “anonymous” and you will be unable to do anything other than read the file from within the ADE application!  You have been warned!

Step 1 – Install Adobe Digital Editions
Download and install Adobe Digital Editions software.  Once it’s installed, open the software (not by clicking the .acsm file) and from the Library menu button, click Authorize Computer. Sign in with your existing Adobe ID or create a new one.

Step 2 – Authorize your Nook
With ADE still open, connect the USB cable to the Nook and then to the PC.  Minimize or close the “pop up” Explorer windows and in the lower-left pane of ADE, you should see Nook or Nook Color.  It should also prompt you to authorize the mobile device.  Make sure you use the SAME credentials as the ADE on your PC!

Step 3 – Download your book
Now you can open the .acsm file by either double-clicking it or dragging it to the ADE window and dropping it.  ADE will download the actual ebook and place it into your library.

Step 4 – Transfer your book(s)
Once both the PC and the Nook have been authorized using the same Adobe ID, you can now transfer DRM-protected content to the Nook.  In the library view, simply drag the book over to the Nook listing in the lower-left pane and wait for it to transfer.

Step 5 – Open the book on your Nook
To read your newly transferred ebook on the Nook, open your Library and click the My Files button on the top toolbar. All content you transfer using ADE should show up under the Digital Editions folder. A tap of that icon will show you your transfered content.

Step 6 – READ!

Enjoy your library book!