iBooks: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About iBooks and the iBookstore
Where can I find the iBooks app?
You can download the iBooks app for free from the App Store on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.1
Is iBooks available in every country with an App Store?
Yes, iBooks and the iBookstore are available in all App Store countries. iBookstore content varies by country.
What are the requirements to use iBooks?
- You can use iBooks on iPad. You can also use iBooks on iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4 or later.
- An iTunes Store account is required to download from the iBookstore.
- iBooks uses books published in the ePub format.
- To add ePub files from outside the iBookstore to iBooks, they must be DRM-free and synced to your device using iTunes 9.2 or later.
How do I access the iBookstore?
iBooks includes the iBookstore. Tap the iBooks icon and your bookshelf appears. In the upper corner, tap the Store button and the bookshelf flips around to reveal the iBookstore. From the iBookstore, you can browse books by title, author, or genre. You can also view featured books as well as books available on the New York Times best-seller lists. Tap on a book to see more details and read a sample. When you buy a book it automatically appears on your iBooks bookshelf.
Managing your books and iBookstore content
Are book samples from the iBookstore downloaded to my iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch?
Yes, when you tap Get Sample for a book in the iBookstore, iBooks will download a portion of the book to your bookshelf. You can read this sample and download the complete book from the last page of the sample. Once you purchase the full book, the sample will be replaced in your bookshelf with the complete book.
How large are typical books from the iBookstore?
The typical book is about 2MB. Books that contain enhanced audio or video will vary in size depending on the content. Enhanced books may take longer to download or require a Wi-Fi connection to purchase.
What digital book file types are recognized by iBooks?
iBooks supports the industry-leading ePub digital book file type. You can sync freely available ePub files to iBooks using iTunes, or download ePub files from the iBookstore. iBooks also supports syncing and viewing PDFs. Other digital book file types are not supported at this time.
Can I purchase a book from the iBookstore using my computer?
No, the iBookstore is only available through iBooks on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch at this time.
Can I copy my books onto other computers or devices?
Books downloaded from the iBookstore can be placed on up to five computers you own that you’ve authorized with your iTunes Store account. You can sync your books to all iPads, iPhones, and iPod touches you own.1 Audiobooks, PDF files, and ePub files you’ve added to iTunes will appear in Books under Library. To sync Books to your device, connect it to your computer using the cable it came with. In iTunes, select your device then click the Books tab. Choose the books you would like to read on your device then press Sync. Books will sync to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch even if iBooks is not installed; to read synced books, download iBooks from the App Store.
Note: Samples downloaded from the iBookstore will not sync to your computer. They remain on your device and can be removed using iBooks.
Can I download books from other websites?
Yes, you can download freely available ePub files on your Mac or PC. Using iTunes 9.2 or later, add them to your iTunes library choosing File > Add to Library, or drag the ePub file to the Books library on your computer. To read these books, simply sync them to your device.
Can I backup the books I purchased?
Yes, any books you’ve downloaded from the iBookstore will be automatically added to your iTunes library the next time you sync your device with your computer. To do this, your computer must be authorized with the same account that was used to download the books from the iBookstore.
How can I determine which books are copy-protected (DRM) versus those that are DRM-free?
iTunes can show you the kind of book you have by selecting the book and then choosing File > Get Info. If the Kind is marked as Book, this is a book you downloaded from the Internet. If it is listed as Purchased Book, it is a DRM-free book downloaded from the iBookstore. If it is listed as Protected Book, it is a copy-protected book from the iBookstore.
I accidentally deleted the complimentary book, Winnie-the-Pooh. How do I recover it?
If you misplace your complimentary copy of "Winnie-the-Pooh," you can download it for free from the iBookstore.
Can I redownload my purchased book again for free?
Yes, you can redownload any book from the iBookstore, as many times as you need, free of charge. To redownload a book, tap Store, then tap Purchases. Find the book you wish to download again and tap Redownload.
Can I gift a book?
No, you cannot gift a book in the iBookstore at this time.
Is there a limit to the number of books I can have?
The number of books you can have in iBooks will vary depending on the amount of space available on your device. iBooks does not limit the number of books allowed on your bookshelf.
iBooks features
Can iBooks open books offered in different languages?
Yes, iBooks can display books written in many languages. The built-in dictionary is only available in English or Japanese languages.
Does iBooks include a dictionary?
Yes, iBooks allows you to look up the definition of words using a built-in English or Japanese language dictionary.
Can I highlight text and make notes?
iBooks includes built-in Highlight and Note features. Highlight any word or passage of text within a book. You can also create a Note from your highlighted selection. Review your Highlights and Notes by tapping the Table of Contents button and then tapping Bookmarks. Highlights and Notes appear in their own section under Bookmarks.
Can I bookmark and save my page?
iBooks will automatically remember where you left off each time you close a book or return to your Home screen. Tap the bookmark icon in the upper-right corner to bookmark a specific page. Wirelessly sync your Bookmarks, Highlights, and Notes with your other devices using your iTunes Store account by tapping Settings > iBooks > Sync Bookmarks > ON.
Can I change the appearance of my books?
Yes, iBooks allows you to adjust the font size and choose from five included fonts. You can also select Sepia-colored pages and text and adjust the brightness of the device’s display to make your books comfortable to read in any lighting situation.
Can I install and use custom fonts?
No, not at this time.
Can I rearrange books on my iBooks bookshelf?
Yes, you can rearrange books in your iBooks bookshelf by touching and holding a book, then moving the book where you would like it. You can also sort books in iBooks by switching to List view and tapping either Bookshelf, Titles, Authors, or Categories buttons. PDFs are conveniently stored on a separate bookshelf.
Can I read my books while my device is in airplane mode?
Yes, an Internet connection is not required to read books already available on your bookshelf.
Do parental controls apply to books?
No, the book publishing industry does not offer a ratings system which can be used to limit access to books based on their content. However, you can prevent children from downloading the iBooks application by turning off access to the App Store.
Which books are shown on the New York Times best-seller lists? (Applies to US)
From the iBookstore, tap on NYTimes to view the weekly top Fiction and Nonfiction hardcover books. If a New York Times best-seller book is not available for download from iBookstore, it will be omitted from the list.
Are books from the iBookstore accessible?
Books downloaded from the iBookstore can be enjoyed using the accessibility features built into iPad and iPhone/iPod touch.
Will the Kindle app or other eBook readers for iPhone work on iPad?
Kindle and virtually all other eBook reader applications designed for iPhone or iPod touch should work with iPad.
However, books downloaded from the Kindle Store and other books that are not in the standard ePub format are not compatible with iBooks.
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