Apple Books

In the Books app, you can find today’s bestsellers, view top charts, explore series, and browse lists curated by Apple Books editors. After you select a book or audiobook, you can read or listen to it right in the app.

You can browse the Book Store or Audiobook Store, or search for a specific title, author, series, or genre. You can also read a sample or listen to a preview before you buy, and all purchases use the payment method associated with your Apple Account.

Note: Apple Books isn’t available in all countries or regions.

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Book Store or Audiobook Store to browse titles, or tap Search to look for a specific title, author, series, or genre.

   Tip: Tap Sections at the top of the screen to view titles in categories like Top Charts and Book Clubs, or genres like Biographies & Memoirs and Young Adults.

3. Tap a book cover to see more details, read a sample, listen to a preview, or mark as Want to Read.
4. Tap Buy to purchase a title, or tap Get to download a free title.

   All purchases are made with the payment method associated with your Apple Account.

On iPad models with Wi-Fi + Cellular, you can allow books and audiobooks to download automatically over your cellular network when you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi. Go to Settings > Apps > Books, then turn on Automatic Downloads. Tap Downloads, then choose Always Allow, Ask If Over 200 MB, or Always Ask.

When you purchase access to movies, TV shows, music, music videos, ebooks, audiobooks, or ringtones from Apple, you also have the option to permanently download these items to a compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or PC. Apple cannot revoke your downloaded content, and you can always access your downloaded content without an internet connection.

See also

• Read books in the Books app on iPad
• Listen to audiobooks in the Books app on iPad

The Books app helps you keep track of how many minutes you read each day, and how many books and audiobooks you finish each year. You can customize your goals to spend more time reading, set new reading streaks, and receive encouragement to reach your goals.

The default yearly reading goal is three books, and you can count PDFs toward your goal, too. Finished books appear below Books Read This Year.

Note: Apple Books isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Change your daily reading goal

Your daily reading goal is set to 5 minutes per day unless you customize it. Adjust it to how many minutes you want to read.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Home. Then tap the reading goals button at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap the reading goal timer, then tap Adjust Goal.

   Note: To count PDFs toward your reading goal, go to Settings > Apps > Books, then turn on Include PDFs below Reading Goals.

4. Slide the counter up or down to set the minutes per day that you want to read.
5. Tap the Close button.

Change your yearly reading goal

When you finish reading a book, its cover shows up below Books Read This Year. Your yearly reading goal starts at three books per year, but you can increase or decrease it depending on how many books you want to finish.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Home. Then tap the reading goals button at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap a book cover or a cover placeholder. Tap Adjust Goal.
4. Slide the counter up or down to set the books per year that you want to read. Then tap the Close button.

Quick tip: To change a book’s status in your library to finished, tap the More button under a book or audiobook cover and then tap Mark as Finished.

Turn on coaching notifications

Books can encourage and nudge you toward your reading goals, with notifications you can turn on or off.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Home. Tap your account button in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Notifications, then turn on Coaching.
4. Tap the Close button.

Turn off reading goals notifications

You get notifications from Books when you achieve a reading goal or set a reading streak, though you can turn these notifications off or on.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Home. Tap your account button in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Notifications, then turn off Goal Completion.
4. Tap the Close button.

Turn off reading goals

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps, tap Books, and then turn off Reading Goals.

Turning off Reading Goals hides the reading indicators in the Home tab and stops reading notifications.

Clear reading data

You can clear your reading data, including reading goals, reading streaks, and time spent reading.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap Apps and tap Books. Then tap Clear Reading Goals Data.

See also

• Read books in the Books app on iPad
• Read PDFs in the Books app on iPad

You can open and save PDFs in the Books app that you receive in Mail, Messages, and other apps.

You can open a PDF you receive in Books, share or print a PDF in Books, and mark up a PDF in Books, right alongside your other books and audiobooks. You can also save a PDF attachment to Books on your iPad.

Here’s how to read PDFs in the Books app on iPad.

Note: Apple Books isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Open a PDF you receive in Books

1. Tap the PDF attachment to open it.
2. Tap the Share button and then tap Books from the list options.

Share or print a PDF in Books

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Library and tap the More button below the PDF.
3. Tap the Share button. Then choose a share option such as AirDrop, Mail, or Messages, or tap Print.

Mark up a PDF in Books

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Open the PDF.
3. Tap the page and tap the Markup button at the top of the screen to use the drawing and annotation tools.

See also

• Listen to audiobooks in the Books app on iPad
• Draw and handwrite with Markup on iPad

Use the Books app to listen to audiobooks on your iPad. As an audiobook plays, you can adjust the volume, skip forward or back, go to a specific time or a different chapter, speed it up or slow it down, and set a sleep timer. Some audiobooks come with supplemental PDFs, too.

Note: Apple Books isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Play an audiobook

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Go to an audiobook. Tap the cover to start playing it.
3. While the audiobook is playing, do any of the following:
   • Adjust the volume: Drag the slider below the Pause button left or right.
   • Skip forward or back: Tap or touch and hold the rounded arrows next to the Pause button. Or use external controls such as headphones or car controls.

     Note: To change the number of seconds to skip forward or back, go to Settings > Apps > Books. Below Audiobooks, tap Skip Forward or Skip Back, then tap an option.

   • Go to a specific time: Drag the slider below the audiobook cover left or right.
   • Go to a different chapter: Tap the Table of Contents Switch button. Tap a chapter.

     Note: Some audiobooks refer to chapters as tracks, or don’t define chapters.

   • Speed it up or slow it down: Tap 1x in the lower-left corner and drag the dial up or down to adjust the narration speed. Touch and hold the narration speed to reset it to 1x.
   • Set a sleep timer: Tap the Sleep button, then choose a duration.
   • Play on a different device: Tap the AirPlay button. Then choose an available device such as HomePod, Apple TV 4K, or Bluetooth® speakers.
   • Switch to the audiobook mini-player: Swipe down from anywhere on the screen; tap the mini-player at the bottom of the screen to go back to full screen.
   • Close the audiobook player: Switch to the audiobook mini-player, touch and hold the audiobook mini-player and then tap Close Audio Player.

If a Wi-Fi connection to the internet isn’t available, audiobooks play over your carrier’s cellular network, which may result in additional fees. To manage cellular data usage, see View or change cellular data settings on iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular models).

Find supplemental PDFs

Some audiobooks come with supplemental PDFs. To view the PDF as the audiobook plays, tap the Table of Contents has Supplemental Content button, or do the following:

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Library and tap the More button below the audiobook cover.
3. Tap View PDF Content.

See also

• Read books in the Books app on iPad
• Play audio from iPad on HomePod and other wireless speakers

The books and audiobooks you purchase in the Books app are saved in your library and automatically sorted into collections, such as Audiobooks, Want to Read, and Finished.

You can also create your own collections to personalize your library, and add a book from your library or the Book Store to them. The same book can be in more than one collection, and you can remove books and audiobooks from your library.

Note: Apple Books isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Create a collection

Creating your own collections helps organize and personalize your library.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Library, tap the Collections button, and then tap New Collection.

   

3. Name the collection—for example, Beach Reads or Book Club—then tap the Done button.

Add a book to a collection

Collections you create can hold books from your library or from the Book Store.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Go to a book. Then tap the More button below the cover.
3. Tap Add to Collection and tap the collection you want to add it to.

Quick tip: You can add the same book to multiple collections.

Organize your books

You decide how books in your library or a collection are displayed and sorted.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Library or go to a collection.
3. Tap the More button. Then do either of the following:
   • Change the book display: Tap Grid or List.
   • Sort your books: Tap Recent, Title, Author, or Manual.

     If you choose Manual, touch and hold a book cover, then drag it to a new position.

Remove books, audiobooks, and PDFs

Books, audiobooks, and PDFs can be removed from Home and your library collections, and you can also hide them on your iPad.

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Go to a book or audiobook you want to remove. Tap the More button below the cover.
3. Tap Remove and choose an option.

   Note: If you choose Remove Download, the content and data associated with the title are no longer stored on your iPad. To redownload the title, tap the More button, then tap Download. If you choose Hide Book, the book won’t appear in your library or collections. To unhide books and audiobooks, tap Home, tap your account icon, then tap Manage Hidden Purchases.

You can automatically remove downloads from your iPad after you finish a book. Tap Library, then tap the More button at the top right of the screen. Tap Remove Downloads, then tap Automatically When Finished.

Delete a collection

1. Open the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap Library, then tap the Collections button.
3. Swipe left on the collection you want to delete and then tap Delete.

   Note: Deleting a collection doesn’t delete the books or audiobooks in the collection; they’re still in your library.

See also

• Annotate books in the Books app on iPad
• Access books on other Apple devices in Books on iPad

In the Books app, you can view the books you’re currently reading, want to read, your book collections, and more, and you can set daily reading goals. Your library holds the books, audiobooks, samples, series, and PDFs you got from the Book Store or added to Books.

As you read, you can turn the page, return to a previous page or reading location, change the text and page appearance, and bookmark a page. Here’s what you’ll find in the Books app:

• Home: Tap to access the books, audiobooks, and PDFs you’re currently reading, get personalized suggestions for your next read, find books you’ve marked as want to read, and more. You can also set daily reading goals and keep track of the books you finish throughout the year.
• Library: Tap to view all of the books, audiobooks, samples, series, and PDFs you either got from the Book Store or manually added to Books. Tap the Collections button to see your library sorted into collections, such as Want to Read, My Samples, Audiobooks, Finished, or custom collections you created (see Create a collection).

Note: Apple Books isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Read a book

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Go to a book and tap the cover to open it. Then do any of the following:
   • Turn the page: Tap the right margin or swipe right to left.

     To allow either the left or right margin to turn the page, go to Settings > Apps > Books, then turn on Both Margins Advance.

   • Go back to the previous page: Tap the left margin or swipe left to right.
   • Go back to previous reading location: Tap the page. Tap the rounded arrow in the top-left corner of the page. Tap the rounded arrow again, but in the top-right corner, to go back to your current location.
   • Go to a specific page or location: Tap the page, tap the Menu button, and then tap Search Book. Enter a word, phrase, or page number and then tap a result.
   • Use the table of contents: Tap the page, tap the Menu button, and tap Contents.

     Tip: To quickly move through a book, touch and hold Contents, then drag your finger left or right; release your finger to go directly to that location in the book.

   • Close a book: Tap the page. Then tap the Close button in the top-right corner, or swipe down from the top of the page (not available if vertical scrolling is on).

     

Change text and page appearance

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Open a book. Then tap the Menu button at the bottom of the page.

   You may need to tap the page for the Menu button to appear.

3. Tap Themes & Settings and then do any of the following:
   • Change the font size: Tap the large A to increase the font size or tap the small A to decrease it.
   • Turn on vertical scrolling or change the page turn style: Tap the Page Turn button and tap Curl, Fast Fade, or Scroll.

     To turn on vertical scrolling when viewing a PDF, tap the Appearance button at the top of the screen, then turn on Vertical Scrolling.

   • Adjust the background mode: Tap the Appearance Options Light button, then tap an option.
   • Adjust the display brightness: Touch the brightness bar. Then drag your finger in either direction.
   • Change the page theme: Tap a page theme such as Quiet or Bold.
   • Change the font: Tap Customize, then tap Font. Tap a font name, such as Original or Palatino. Tap the Done button to apply the font.
   • Make the font bold: Tap Customize, turn on Bold Text, and tap the Done button.
   • Customize spacing and justification: Tap Customize and then below Accessibility & Layout Options, turn on Customize. Drag the sliders left or right to adjust line spacing, character spacing, word spacing, and margins. You can also change the number of text columns on a page and turn Justify Text on or off. Tap the Done button to apply your changes.
4. Tap the Close button to close the Themes & Settings menu.

   

   Note: To change which side of the screen the Menu button appears on, go to Settings > Apps > Books, then choose Left or Right below Reading Menu Position.

To undo text and layout customizations, tap the Menu button, tap Customize, then tap Reset Theme.

Bookmark a page

When you close a book, your place is saved automatically, so there’s no need to add a bookmark, but you’re free to add bookmarks to pages you want to return to.

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it. Tap the page you want to bookmark.
3. Tap the Menu button at the bottom of the page.

   You may need to tap the page for the Menu button to appear.

4. Tap the Bookmark Ribbon; tap it again to remove the bookmark.

To access all your bookmarks, tap the Menu button, tap Bookmarks & Highlights, then tap Bookmarks.

Share a text selection or book link

You can send text selections using AirDrop, Mail, or Messages, or you can add the selection to Notes. If the book is from the Book Store, a link to the book is included with the selection. (Sharing may not be available in all countries or regions.)

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it.
3. Touch and hold a word and then move the grab points to adjust the selection.
4. Tap the Forward button, then tap Share.
5. Tap Mail, Messages, or another app or service to share the selection.

You can also share a link to view the book in the Book Store. Tap a page, tap the Menu button, tap the Share button, then tap how you want to share the link.

Turn on Line Guide

Line Guide helps you focus on individual lines of text as you read. With it on, the rest of the page dims, making the line you’re reading more visible.

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it and tap a page.
3. Tap the Menu button at the bottom of the page.
4. Tap the Line Guide Menu button to turn on Line Guide and then do any of the following:
   • Tap the page above or below the line guide to move it up or down.
   • Tap the left or right page margin to move the line guide up or down (not available if vertical scrolling is on).
   • Touch and hold the line guide, then drag it to a new line on the page.
5. Tap the Line Guide Menu button in the bottom-left corner of the page to adjust the background dim level or turn off Line Guide.

See also

• Listen to audiobooks in the Books app on iPad
• Annotate books in the Books app on iPad
• Organize books in the Books app on iPad
• Use VoiceOver gestures on iPad

You can highlight, underline, and take notes as you read books in the Books app, and then share your annotations with others.

You can see all of your highlights and notes in one place, go to that location in the book, change the highlight color, or switch to underline. You can also translate, search, or copy text, and remove a highlight or a note.

Here’s how to annotate books in the Books app on iPad.

Note: Apple Books isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Highlight or underline text

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it.
3. Touch and hold a word, move the grab points to adjust the selection. Then tap Highlight.

   To remove a highlight or underline, tap the text, then tap Remove Highlight.

4. To change the highlight color or switch to underline, tap the text, tap Highlight, and tap an option.

To see all of your highlights, tap the page, tap the Menu button, tap Bookmarks & Highlights, then tap Highlights. Tap a highlight to go to that location in the book.

Add a note

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it.
3. Touch and hold a word and then move the grab points to adjust the text selection.
4. Tap Add Note, enter text, and then tap the Done button.

   To remove a note, tap the highlighted text, tap Remove, then tap Remove Note.

To see all of your notes, tap the page, tap the Menu button, tap Bookmarks & Highlights, then tap Highlights. Tap a note to go to that location in the book.

Share highlights and notes

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it.
3. Tap a highlight or note and tap the Forward button. Then tap Share.

   Tip: To share multiple highlights or notes at the same time, tap the Menu button, tap Bookmarks & Highlights, then tap Highlights. Tap the Checklist button, tap the items you want to share, then tap the Share button.

Delete a note

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it.
3. Tap a note and tap Remove. Then choose Remove Note or Remove Highlight & Note.

   Tip: To delete multiple notes or highlights at the same time, tap the Menu button, tap Bookmarks & Highlights, then tap Highlights. Tap the Checklist button, tap the items you want to delete, then tap the Delete button.

Translate, search, or copy text

As you read, select text and translate or copy it, or search the book for that text.

1. Start the Books app on your iPad.
2. Tap a book cover to open it.
3. Touch and hold a word and then move the grab points to adjust the text selection.
4. Tap the Forward button and then tap Translate, Search, or Copy.

See also

• Read books in the Books app on iPad
• Set reading goals in the Books app on iPad