Table of Contents

Logging In to jw.org

Path: Log In

If you prefer a language other than English, you may choose one of the languages from the Language dropdown. The text on the screen will be displayed in the language you have chosen.

Note: Some of the languages available on the Login screen are not available to logged-in users from all countries. If the jw.org features used in your country are not available in the language you have chosen, the text on the site will switch to the language of your congregation or branch once you have logged in.

Enter the account ID and user name provided to you by your account administrator. Enter your password and click the Log In button.

Navigation Tip: In addition to using the mouse, you can use the Tab key to move from one field to the next, and press the Enter key in place of clicking the Log In button.

If you are unable to log in, it may be that you have entered the password incorrectly.

Remember to close your browser window or click on Log Out (top right corner of the screen) when you have completed your work in jw.org.

Home

Navigating jw.org

Path: Home

The tabs across the top of the screen (Home, Downloads, Congregation, and so on) are links to sections of the site. Click on the tab to show the options for that section. Then, choose the option you need by clicking on the hyperlink on the left of the screen.

When you are entering information, use the Tab key to move from one field to the next. When you are ready to submit the information you have entered, click the button below the entry fields (e.g. Submit or Log In) or press the Enter key.

If you need help with the option you have chosen, click on Help (at the top right of the screen).

When you have completed your work on jw.org, remember to log out (click on Log Out at the top right of the screen) or close the browser window.

Downloads

Downloading Files

Path: Downloads

Click on the Downloads tab to view all files that are available for download. The most recently released issues of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines display by default. If audio recordings are available for download in the language you have selected for the Web site, magazines for that language are listed. Otherwise, English magazines are listed.

Basic Instructions for Downloading Files: Using the menu and search options available, locate the file you want to download. Click on the link for the file format you want and select “Save” in the dialog box that displays. Select the location where you want to save the file.

Audio Recordings

Audio recordings produced by Jehovah’s Witnesses can be downloaded for personal use. Please consult your media player documentation for assistance with listening to audio files.

Common Questions

Question Answer
Which file format should I use—MP3 or AAC? MP3 is the most versatile format since most media players support it. However, if you have an Apple product such as an iPod, AAC files may be a better choice for you. See the feature comparison chart below.
Where do I learn about audio files and podcasting? For basic information, please continue reading our online help. For more detailed information, please consult the user guide of your media player, portable listening device, or search the Internet for other online resources that explain about audio files.
How do I subscribe to a podcast? Please read the help section How to Subscribe to a Podcast, as well as the user guide or help text of your podcasting software.
How do I listen to audio files I’ve downloaded? You can use a media player that supports the file format you downloaded. Most computers come with a media player that will play MP3 files. Or, you can copy the files to a portable listening device. If your home or car audio system supports MP3 CDs, you can copy the files to a writable CD and play it on these systems. Please consult your media player documentation for assistance with listening to audio files.
How do I copy audio files to a CD? You need the right equipment—writable CDs and a CD burner. Each computer program works a little differently, so review the help text for your computer or CD burning software for information on how to use it. MP3 files can be copied directly to a writable CD. It is not necessary to create an “audio” or “music” CD.
How do I extract a ZIP file? Your computer operating system may directly support unzipping, or decompressing, ZIP archives. If so, right mouse click on the file to see a menu displaying options for unzipping the file. If your operating system does not directly support ZIP files, you will need to purchase additional utility software.
How do I view song lyrics embedded in a music audio file? Not all media players can display song lyrics. Please consult the user guide of your media player or personal listening device to learn if lyrics are supported. In computer software that supports the display of lyrics, the option to view them may be available from the file Properties, or the Get Info, option for the selected audio file. Or, lyrics may be toggled on and off via the Play menu. If you have a personal listening device with a touch screen, often tapping on the album artwork toggles the display of lyrics on and off. Or, the option to display lyrics may be available from a settings menu on the device.

Magazines

Clicking on the Magazines menu option displays the most recently released issues of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. If audio recordings are available for download in the language you have selected for the Web site, magazines in that language are listed. Otherwise, English magazines are listed.

To locate additional audio recordings of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, choose a different Language or Month and click the Select button.

Audio recordings are generally posted when the printed magazines are released and are available for download from the site for six months.

How to Download Audio Magazines

Complete Magazine: To download an entire issue of a magazine as a single file, right-mouse click on one of the bold Audio Format links (MP3 or AAC) to the right of the magazine issue. Select “Save Target As...” or “Save Link As...” from the menu that displays. Select the location where you want to save the file. The MP3 link for the complete magazine downloads a ZIP file which contains multiple MP3 files.

Individual Articles: To download a single article from a magazine, right-mouse click on the MP3 link to the right of the article title. Select “Save Target As...” or “Save Link As...” from the menu that displays. Select the location where you want to save the file. Individual articles are not available in AAC (M4B) format.

How to Subscribe to a Podcast

The Subscribe to podcast link opens a new browser window containing the options available for podcast subscriptions. Choose the Language and Magazine you wish to subscribe to and click the Select button. The correct podcast URL, or feed, for the subscription you selected displays for each available audio format. Copy the Podcast URL for the audio format you want and paste it into your podcasting software or online feed reader.

Tip: To quickly copy the Podcast URL, right-mouse click on the POD icon and choose “Copy Shortcut” or “Copy link location” from the menu that displays.

One-click Links: The links in this column automatically prompt the selected application to create a podcast subscription for the audio format you select. For example, if you have the iTunes program installed, clicking a One-click iTunes link will prompt your copy of iTunes to create a podcast subscription for the magazine you selected.

What is a podcast?

A podcast is an audio file which is syndicated via an RSS feed. Podcast files can be downloaded and listened to on a computer or a portable device like an iPod or MP3 player. You can select which podcasts you want to subscribe to and you can also unsubscribe at any time.

While all the audio files available for podcasting on this Web site can also be manually downloaded, the advantage of subscribing to a podcast is that your podcasting software will automatically download newly posted content for you.

File Formats

What are ZIP files?

The ZIP file format is a way of compressing and archiving one or more files into a single file for easy storage or transport. ZIP files can be decompressed, or unzipped, either by software included in the computer operating system or by a separate program.

What are MP3 and AAC files?

MP3 and AAC formats are two popular standards used for encoding compressed audio files. The AAC format is a successor to MP3 and is best supported by Apple products such as iTunes and iPod. To listen to an MP3 or AAC encoded audio file you need equipment that is able to play it.

MP3: The MP3 audio format is a popular format designed to reduce the amount of data needed to represent an audio recording. This format can be played on most computers and portable listening devices, sometimes called MP3 players. Some home and car audio systems can also play MP3 files.

AAC: The file extension of AAC encoded files varies to indicate the type of data the file contains. For example, the M4A file extension indicates that the AAC encoded file is audio (rather than video) and contains no bookmarks. Many popular players can play M4A files. The M4B file extension can be applied to any AAC encoded file that is bookmarkable. However, to be more compatible with iTunes and iPods, the M4B files on this Web site are Protected AAC format. This format can be played by iPods, iTunes, QuickTime, and other computer software programs supporting the Protected AAC format. The M4B file extension indicates to iTunes and iPods that the file is a valid audiobook. Protected AAC formatted files cannot be converted to other audio formats. The M4V file extension is generally applied to AAC encoded files that contain both audio and video.

Feature MP3 Format AAC Format
Compatibility Most computers and portable listening devices support MP3 format. Some car audio systems also play MP3 files A number of portable listening devices support AAC format. However, protected AAC format (M4B) is best supported by Apple products such as iTunes and iPod. Other players may be able to play M4B files but do not support advanced features like embedded images and bookmarks.
File Size MP3 files are fairly small, but for the same amount of information, AAC files tend to be smaller while maintaining or improving sound quality. Larger publications published on this site are often divided by chapter or article into individual MP3 files. For the same amount of information, AAC files are often smaller than MP3 and may have slightly better sound quality. Many of the publications on this site are provided as single M4B files. Bookmarks are used to divide publications by chapter or article.
Bookmarks There is no support for embedded bookmarks. Embedded bookmarks are included, but not all players support this feature. Consult your player’s documentation for more information.
Images Embedded images may be included, but not all players support this feature. Consult your player’s documentation for more information. Embedded images are included, but not all players support this feature. Consult your player’s documentation for more information.
Meta Data MP3 files contain meta data, such as the article or chapter title, in ID3 tags. ID3 tags are readable by most MP3 players. Meta data is embedded in a proprietary format which can be displayed by some players but not by others.