Got problems with the Books app on iPhone after iOS 17 update? Here are nine troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the issue.
Apple Books is the single destination for all the books and audiobooks you love — and all the ones you’ll love next. You can browse the Book Store and Audiobook Store to find the perfect book to read or listen to right from your iPhone. The Books app lets you track what you’ve read and want to read, and set your own Reading Goals — all in one app and across all your Apple devices.
In most cases, Apple Books works just fine. However, there are times where it experiences hiccups. If you’re experiencing an issue where Books app is not working on your iPhone after iOS 17 update, something is definitely off either with your device or the app.
Figuring out the exact cause of the issue is sometimes difficult. In cases like this, it’s best to rely on standard fixes. These fixes look into some common places that can cause the Books app to not function on your iPhone.
Here’s what to do when Books app is not working on your iPhone running iOS 17.
9 Ways to Fix Books App Not Working on iPhone in iOS 17
1. Close And Reopen Books
Closing the Books app will let it shut down naturally and potentially fix a minor software crash. You’ll have to open the app switcher before you can close Books.
On an iPhone SE (second generation) or newer, double-press the Home button to open the app switcher. On an iPhone XR or newer, swipe up from the very bottom of the screen to the center of the screen.
Once the app switcher is open, swipe the Books app up and off the top of the screen to close it.
2. Test Your Internet Connection
You need a working internet connection to download books from the Book Store for offline use. The problem may be your internet connection if Books aren’t downloading on your iPhone. A quick way to verify if this is the case would be to test any other app that uses the internet, or open your browser and try to open a site like geeksmodo.com. If nothing else works, then your internet connection is likely the issue.
If you’re using data, try switching to Wi-Fi, and vice versa. You can also try moving closer to your router. Restarting the router may solve the issue, too, even if your internet works on other devices. For those using a VPN on iPhone, you may need to disable it while you use Books. Books may stop working if it detects a VPN.
Additionally, if you’re using mobile data to download Apple Books, make sure you allow the Books to use cellular data on your iPhone.
Go to Settings > Cellular. Scroll down to the list of apps and turn on the switch next to Books.
Note: You can allow books and audiobooks to be downloaded automatically over your cellular network when you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi. Go to Settings > Books, tap Downloads, then choose Always Allow, Ask If Over 200 MB or Always Ask.
3. Restart Your iPhone
Your iPhone could still be experiencing a software issue even if the Books app hasn’t crashed. Restarting your iPhone can fix minor software bugs and glitches.
There are a couple different ways to restart an iPhone, depending on which model you own:
- iPhone SE (second generation) or newer: Press and hold down on the power button until you see “slide to power off” shows up on the screen. Swipe the power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone. Press and hold the power button again to turn your iPhone back on.
- iPhone XR or newer: Press and hold either volume button and the side button until “slide to power off” shows up on the screen. Swipe the red and white power icon from left to right to turn off your iPhone. Press and hold the side button to turn your iPhone on again.
4. Update Your iPhone
Apple releases updates from time to time to fix existing bugs and introduce new features. Since Books is a native iOS app, updating your iPhone is the only way to update the app too.
Start the Settings app on your iPhone and go to General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install if an iOS update is available. After the update is complete, open Books and see if it’s working again.
5. Update Your Payment Details
If you can’t buy books and audiobooks in Apple Books on iPhone, you may need to update your payment method. All purchases are made with the payment method associated with your Apple ID.
Even if you only download free Books from the Book Store, you still need to have valid payment information and contact details linked to your Apple ID account. It’s possible that the payment details on your account expired, so you should check if you need to update them.
Start the Settings app on your iPhone and tap [Your Name] at the top of the screen. Tap Payment & Shipping to view your payment information. Now, tap Add Payment Method to add a payment method, or use Edit to edit your existing methods.
6. Log Out of Your Apple ID and Back in
Signing out of your Apple ID and then signing back in could fix your problem.
Start the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on [Your Name]. Scroll all the way down and tap Sign Out. If prompted, enter your Apple ID password to Turn Off Find My. Choose what data to keep on your device—anything you don’t keep is still saved to iCloud—then tap Sign Out.
Now, return to Settings to sign in again. Enter your Apple ID and password, then open the Books app to see if the problem has been resolved. If the Books app is still not working, keep reading!
7. Reset Network Settings
Resetting Network Settings will erase all Cellular, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, APN, and VPN settings on your iPhone, reseting them to factory defaults. This means you’ll have to reenter your Wi-Fi passwords, reconnect your Bluetooth devices, and more. While it’s a little inconvenient, it can fix deep network problems on your iPhone preventing Books app from working. Just remember to write down your Wi-Fi passwords before performing this step!
Start the Settings app on your iPhone and go into General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your iPhone passcode, then tap Reset Network Settings again when the confirmation pop-up appears on the screen. Your iPhone will shut down, reset, then turn itself on again.
Now launch the Books app and check if it’s working. If the Books app is still not loading, move on to the next step!
8. Uninstall and Reinstall Books
If there’s a core issue with Books, uninstalling and reinstalling the app on your iPhone can potentially fix the problem.
To delete the Books app, press and hold on its icon on the Home screen or in the App Library until the drop down menu appears. Tap Remove App > Delete App > Delete.
After you’ve deleted the app, go to the App Store and search for the Books app. You can find it quickly by tapping the Search tab and typing in “Books.
Once you’ve found the Books app, tap the download button to the right of the app. Since you’ve previously downloaded the app, the button will probably look like a cloud with an arrow pointing straight down.
9. Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all of the fixes above and Books app still isn’t working on your iPhone, it’s time to contact Apple. Apple provides support online, over-the-phone, through the mail, and in-person. Visit their support website to find the best option for you!
Easily Fix Books App Not Working on iPhone After iOS 17 Update
You’ve fixed the problem and Books app is working on your iPhone. Now you can browse the Book Store and Audiobook Store to find the perfect book to read or listen to. Make sure to share this article on social media, or leave a comment down below if you have any other questions about your iPhone.