MikeM_SA
Level 1 (4 points)
iBooks

Q: iBooks pdf syncing issue (OSX 10.11.4)

I have a 50GB iCloud storage plan of which I'm presently using approximately 4GB's. With the release of OSX 10.11.4 Apple added a capability for iBooks to store PDFs in the Cloud. So far, so good. However, when attempting to sync the PDF's in my iBooks library (56 documents totalling 356MB is size) iBooks informs me that I have insufficient storage space on iCloud and provides an option to upgrade the storage. Seeing that I'm only using 10% of what I have already purchased and have ample space (46GB) to accommodate the measly 356MB of PDFs this is most definitely not an option. Does anyone perhaps know if this is a bug or whether Apple has set an unpublished limited on the number of PDFs that can be stored on iCloud (via iBooks)?

 

Many thanks

Mike

Posted on Mar 27, 2016 11:27 PM

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MikeM_SA

Q: iBooks pdf syncing issue (OSX 10.11.4)

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  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Mar 29, 2016 9:32 AM in response to MikeM_SA
    Community Specialists
    Mar 29, 2016 9:32 AM in response to MikeM_SA

    Hi MikeM_SA,

    Thanks for your question.  Just to be sure I understand ... did you enable iCloud Drive?  If so, the files should be automatically uploaded to your iCloud Drive, so no additional syncing should be necessary.  When you look at iCloud Drive in Finder, do you see all 56 documents?   Please take a look at the resource below and reply with additional information if you can.

     

    Sync ePub, iBooks Author books, and PDF files with iBooks and iCloud

    Use iBooks to sync ePub, iBooks Author books, and PDF files with iCloud Drive so that you can access them on all of your devices.

    The first time that you open iBooks after you update to iOS 9.3 or OS X 10.11.4, you'll be prompted to use iCloud. If you don't see the prompt, you might need to set up iCloud Drive.

    You can use iBooks and iCloud Drive to sync ePub, iBooks Author books, and PDF files so that you can access them on all of your devices. After you turn on iCloud Drive, all files automatically upload to iCloud*. Any ePub, iBooks Author book, or PDF file that you add to your iBooks library later also automatically upload to iCloud*. 

    Books purchased from the iBooks Store are not stored on iCloud Drive, but you can redownload them. Because they're not stored on iCloud Drive, they don't count against iCloud storage. Sample books and audiobooks don't sync with iCloud Drive.

    *Some files might not upload if you don't have enough available iCloud storage.

     

    Take care,

  • by MikeM_SA,

    MikeM_SA MikeM_SA Mar 30, 2016 9:09 AM in response to judysings
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iBooks
    Mar 30, 2016 9:09 AM in response to judysings

    Many thanks for the post. iCloud Drive is correctly configured on all of my devices (MacBook Pro, iPhone 6, iPAD mini) using the same AppleID. The strange thing is that all of the PDF documents I have stored in iBooks sync between my MacBook Pro and my iPAD mini but not to my iPhone (some do, but only a handful). Both of the IOS devices are running the same OS level - v9.3. iBooks is also configured to use Cellular Data on both devices (WiFi is the default). Both the iPAD mini and the iPhone are 128GB models and have ample space available (>50% in both cases). I've tried rebooting the iPhone to see if that makes a difference but to no avail.

  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Mar 30, 2016 1:51 PM in response to MikeM_SA
    Community Specialists
    Mar 30, 2016 1:51 PM in response to MikeM_SA

    Hi MikeM_SA,

    Thank you for providing this additional information.  Since the iPhone is the only device that is not syncing PDFs, let's focus on that device.  First, I would suggest backing up your iPhone using iCloud and iTunes.  Then, try turning iCloud Drive Off on your iPhone, and sign out of iCloud and the iTunes Store.  Then reverse the steps - turn iPhone on, sign in to iCloud and enable iCloud Drive.  Give it a little time to update, and let us know if all of the PDFs sync.  Here are some additional troubleshooting steps for iCloud Drive:

    Get help using iCloud Drive

     

    Have a great day!

  • by MikeM_SA,

    MikeM_SA MikeM_SA Mar 31, 2016 9:04 PM in response to judysings
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iBooks
    Mar 31, 2016 9:04 PM in response to judysings

    Hi judysings,

     

    I completed the process you described in your previous post but alas to no avail. The PDF documents in iBooks that sync between my Mac and iPad still do not sync with my iPhone - it's been a few hours since I turned off iCloud Drive, signed out of iTunes and iCloud and hard reset my phone. I've also reviewed the additional troubleshooting steps that you referenced but none helped.

  • by judysings,

    judysings judysings Apr 3, 2016 6:23 AM in response to MikeM_SA
    Community Specialists
    Apr 3, 2016 6:23 AM in response to MikeM_SA

    Hi MikeM_SA,

    At this point, I think it would be helpful for one of our technical advisors to work with you one-to-one to help you get all of your PDF's syncronized.  The online advisors have tools like screen sharing that they can use to help you.  Or, if you live near an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Services provider, an advisor can help you in person.  Click here to initiate that support.

    Cheers,

  • by Magnus Lewan,

    Magnus Lewan Magnus Lewan Apr 3, 2016 1:27 PM in response to judysings
    Level 4 (3,659 points)
    Apple Music
    Apr 3, 2016 1:27 PM in response to judysings

    Once you find a solution to this problem, it would be good to add it to this thread. I have a very similar problem, which may have the same origin: old PDF files on my iPad Mini do not sync with iCloud, but PDF files on other devices do, and new PDF files on my iPad Mini are correctly synched.