Fix Apple Books Not Opening on iPad But Working on iPhone
Question details
The user is unable to open downloaded or purchased books in the Apple Books app on their iPad, even though the same books open without any issues on their iPhone.
- Product
- Apple Books
- Device & OS
- iPadOS / iOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to read previously downloaded or synced books across multiple Apple devices.
- Observed behavior
- Books fail to open or load on the iPad, while functioning perfectly in the Apple Books app on the iPhone.
Ensure your iPad is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and verify that you know your Apple ID password, as you may need to re-authenticate or adjust your iCloud synchronization settings.
Verify Apple ID and Enable iCloud Synchronization
Use this solution to ensure both devices are sharing the same account and that book data is allowed to sync through iCloud.
If a book was purchased or downloaded on your iPhone, your iPad must be signed into the exact same Apple ID to access it. Additionally, iCloud sync for Apple Books must be active on the iPad to retrieve the necessary reading data.
Open the Settings app on your iPad. Tap your name at the very top of the menu and verify that the email address matches the Apple ID used on your iPhone.
In the Apple ID menu, tap 'iCloud', then select 'Show All' under the Apps Using iCloud section. Scroll down to find 'Books' and ensure the toggle is turned on.
Open the Apple Books app on your iPad. If the book is visible but won't open, tap the three dots next to it, select 'Remove', and then download it again from your Library or Reading Now tab.
Update iPadOS and the Apple Books App
App crashes or failure to open specific book formats can be caused by outdated software or app compatibility issues.
Read PDFs and Documents Seamlessly Across Devices with WPS Office
If you are struggling with Apple Books syncing your PDF files or reading materials, consider switching to WPS Office. It serves as a powerful, lightweight document reader that securely syncs your files across iPad, iPhone, Mac, and PC.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get WPS Office for free from the App Store on your iPad and iPhone.
- 2. Import your books or documents: Open the app and import your PDF books, Word documents, or study materials.
- 3. Read and sync anywhere: Log in to your WPS account to automatically sync your reading progress and annotations across all your devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do books say they are unavailable on my iPad but work on my iPhone?
This typically happens if the iPad is signed into a different Apple ID than the one used to purchase the book, if iCloud Drive synchronization is paused, or if the downloaded file on the iPad became corrupted and needs to be deleted and re-downloaded.
Can I read third-party PDF books on Apple Books if they fail to sync?
Yes, Apple Books supports PDF files. If they fail to sync automatically via iCloud, you can manually transfer the PDF from your iPhone to your iPad using AirDrop, or use an alternative document manager like WPS Office.
What should I do if updating and syncing doesn't fix the Apple Books error?
If standard troubleshooting fails, you can try offloading the Books app to clear its cache. Go to Settings > General > iPad Storage > Books, and tap 'Offload App'. Then, reinstall it. If the issue persists, reaching out to Apple Support is recommended.
