Home How-to iBooks Not Syncing Between Mac and iPhone or iPad? Here’s How to Fix

iBooks Not Syncing Between Mac and iPhone or iPad? Here’s How to Fix

Books not syncing between mac and iphone or ipad how to fix it

One of the best things about owning different Apple products is how nicely they work together. Music, photos, videos, passwords, Safari history, books, etc. sync between devices, providing a consistent experience. However, sometimes problems can occur, such as iBooks not syncing between Mac and iPhone or iPad. This can be pretty inconvenient but the good news is that you can fix it. So let’s check out the solutions.

Books not syncing between mac and iphone or ipad how to fix it

#1. Toggle Off/On iCloud Sync

On iPhone:

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Step #1. Open the Settings app and tap on your profile from the top.

Step #2. Tap iCloud.

Open Settings Tap on Profile and Then Tap on iCloud on iPhone

Step #3. Scroll down and tap on the toggle for Books to turn it off.

Turn Off iCloud Sync for Books App on iPhone

Step #4. After a few seconds, tap the same toggle to enable it.

On Mac:

Step #1. Open the Books app on Mac.

Open Books on Mac

Step #2. Click on Books from the top menu bar and then click Preferences.

Click on Books and Then Click on Preferences on Mac

Step #3. From the General tab, uncheck and then check the box for Sync collections, bookmarks, and highlights across devices.

Click on General Tab and Disable Sync in Books Preferences on Mac

#2. Toggle Off/On Books Syncing Settings

Step #1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Books.

Open Settings and Tap on Books App

Step #2. Tap the toggles for Reading Now and iCloud Drive to turn them off.

Turn Off Reading Now and iCloud Drive Sync on iPhone

Step #3. After 30 seconds, re-enable them.

#3. Make Sure You Use the Same Apple ID

You must use the same Apple ID on iPhone and Mac. Else the sync feature will not work. To ensure that you are using the same Apple ID on your devices:

On your iPhone: Open the Settings app and tap on your name from the top. There you will see your Apple ID.

Open Settings and Tap on Profile to View Apple ID on iPhone

On your Mac:

Step #1. Click on the Apple logo from the top left, click System Preferences.

Click on Apple Menu and Select System Preferences on Mac

Step #2. click Apple ID to see it.

Click on Apple ID in System Preferences on Mac

#4. Enable Sync Books in Finder or iTunes

On Mac running macOS Catalina, you will have to use Finder. And for earlier versions of macOS, you will have to use iTunes.

Step #1. Using a proper cable, unlock and connect your iPhone to Mac.

Step #2. In Finder: Click on your iPhone’s name from the left sidebar. In iTunes: Click on the small iPhone icon.

Step #3. Click on Books Tab.

Click on iPhone Sidebar and Then Click on Books Tab on Mac

Step #4. Check Sync books onto your name iPhone. Finally, click Sync (or Apply).

Enable Sync Book to iPhone and Click on Apply
Click on Sycn and Replace to Enable Sync Books in Finder on Mac

#5. Unhide Books

You may not see books on your devices if they have been hidden. Here is how to unhide them.

Step #1. Open the Books app on your iPhone.

Step #2. Tap Reading Now from the bottom row.

Step #3. Tap your profile picture from the upper right.

Step #4. Tap Manage Hidden Purchases.

Open Books App Tap on Profile and Then Tap on Manage Hidden Purchases

Step #5. Tap Unhide next to the item you want to unhide.

To unhide books using Mac: Open the Books app and click on the Book Store. Next click Account, enter your Apple ID password if asked. Then click on Manage and finally click Unhide.

#6. Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign In Again

On iPhone:

Step #1. Open the Settings app and tap on your name from top.

Open Settings and Tap on Profile on iPhone

Step #2. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.

Sign Out of Apple ID on iPhone

On Mac: Click on the Apple logo from the top left, click System Preferences, and then click Apple ID. Next, click Overview and then Sign Out.

After a minute, sign in again on both devices.

#7. Restart Both Devices

Open the Settings app → Tap on General, and then tap Shut Down. After a minute, switch it back on.

Shutdown iPhone

To restart your Mac, click on the Apple logo and then select Restart.

#8. Uninstall and Reinstall Books App on iPhone

Long press the Books app icon from the iPhone home screen. Tap Delete App. Next, restart your iPhone. After that, open App Store and search for ‘books.’ Tap the download icon next to Apple Books to reinstall the app.

Signing Off…

Hopefully, this has helped you sync iBooks between devices. Let us know in the comments below which solution worked for you. Alternatively, you can check out some other great iPhone books apps too. Happy reading!

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