Helping millions of people navigate the world of technology.

5 Best Fixes for Apple Books App Not Downloading Books

The Apple Books app is the default ebook reader for your Apple devices. You can also download and store your ebook titles to read them offline . The Books app lets you add and share PDF files from your devices.

N_Best_Fixes_for_Apple_Books_App_Not_Downloading_Books

But some users complain that they can’t read their books offline using the app as they don’t get downloaded. If you face the same issue, here are some working solutions to fix the Apple Books app not downloading books.

1. Check Internal Storage

Whenever you face issues downloading files from any app on your Apple device, you should start by checking their internal storage status. If you wish to download and store multiple ebooks from the Apple Books app, you need to have enough storage space on your device. You can also check whether you have sufficient iCloud storage on your Apple device.

2. Check Your iCloud Account

Speaking of your iCloud account, you can check whether the Books app is synced with your account. Also, you can check whether you are using the correct iCloud account on your device.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on the iCloud account name.

Step 2: Tap in iCloud and select All Apps.

Step 3: Ensure that the Books app is enabled to sync with iCloud.

books icloud iphone

Step 4: Close Settings and check if the problem is solved.

On Mac

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to open Spotlight Search, type iCloud, and press Return.

open icloud settings on mac

Step 2: Click on Show More Apps.

show more apps icloud mac

Step 3: Enable syncing for the Books app and click on Done.

enable books syncing icloud mac

Step 4: Close Settings and open the Books app to check if the problem is solved.

3. Enable Downloads For New Purchases

If the iBooks app is not downloading your purchased book on your Apple device, you should check if automatic downloads are enabled for new purchases.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on Books.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap the toggle next to Purchases from Other Devices.

purchases from other devices books iphone

If Apple Books is not downloading over cellular, enable automatic downloads for cellular data and ensure that you have selected the appropriate download limit.

enable automatic downloads books iphone

Step 3: Once done, close Settings and open the Books app to check if the problem is solved.

On Mac

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to open Spotlight Search, type Books, and press Return.

open books app on mac

Step 2: Click on Books at the top-right corner and select Settings.

books settings mac

Step 3: Select the General tab and enable the option of Download New Purchases Automatically.

download new purchases automatically books app mac

4. Force Quit and Relaunch Books App

If you still face the same issue, you can force quit and relaunch the Books app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This will give the app a fresh start.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: On the home screen, swipe up and hold to reveal the background app windows.

Step 2: Swipe right to look for the Books app window and swipe up to remove it.

force quit books app iphone

Step 3: Relaunch the Books app and check if the problem is solved.

On Mac

Step 1: Click the Apple logo at the top-left corner and select Force Quit.

force quit system settings mac

Step 2: Select the Books app and click on Force Quit.

force quit books app on mac

Step 3: Relaunch the Books app and check if the problem is solved.

5. Update Books App

If none of the solutions work, you can install the latest version of the Books app. This can be done by installing a new software version on your Apple device. This is also applicable if iBooks not downloading a PDF file.

On iPhone and iPad

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on General.

Step 2: Select Software Update and install it if one is available.

software update settings iphone

Once done, open Apple Books and check if the problem is solved.

On Mac

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to open Spotlight Search, type Check For Software Updates, and press Return.

check for software updates mac

Step 2: If an update is available, download and install it.

Once done, open the Books app and check if the problem is solved.

Read Books Offline

These solutions can be referred to when the Apple Books app is not downloading books on your devices. You can also customize your reading experience in the Books app by changing the text size, reading theme, font style, and more.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Last updated on 13 December, 2023

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.