HT202759: Sync iBooks between devices

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feardamhan

Q: Bookmarks failing to sync between devices

I installed an ebook I already won (not through itunes) on my ipad. Both this and my iphone are connected to iCloud Drive / iTunes & App Store using the same account. I have bookmarks set on the ipad. I can see and download the book on the iphone from iCloud Drive. I have Sync Collections and Sync Bookmarks & Notes configured on both devices, but the iphone will not receive the bookmarks set on the ipad. Any ideas?

iOS 5

Posted on Aug 2, 2016 3:04 PM

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Q: Bookmarks failing to sync between devices

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  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Aug 2, 2016 3:44 PM in response to feardamhan
    Level 10 (120,589 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 2, 2016 3:44 PM in response to feardamhan

    Only iTunes ...


    "If you buy a book on your Mac or your iOS device, it’s automatically available through iTunes in the Cloud on all of your iOS devices and all of your Mac computers. You can also sync your bookmarks, notes, and collections across your devices."


    Sync iBooks between your Mac and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

  • by feardamhan,

    feardamhan feardamhan Aug 3, 2016 3:10 AM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iBooks
    Aug 3, 2016 3:10 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

    Thanks Carolyn. I'm not sure if you are answering the question. Are you saying that Apple have deprecated the feature to sync bookmarks for epubs not purchased through iTunes? That feature has been in place and working for years. As I mentioned in the OP, it is successfully making the books uploaded to one device available on the other. So iCloud Drive is working. I find it hard to imagine they would allow books to sync but not the bookmarks?

  • by feardamhan,

    feardamhan feardamhan Aug 3, 2016 7:43 AM in response to feardamhan
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iBooks
    Aug 3, 2016 7:43 AM in response to feardamhan

    So I think I have fixed my own problem. Sideloaded books do not work well with iCloud Drive. They can be uploaded and downloaded from iCloud Drive to synchronize your library, but bookmarks and notes will not be synced.

     

    I solved this by turning off iCloud Drive for iBooks and instead sideloading the same book to both devices. When only the 'Sync Bookmarks and Notes' setting is enabled, then the bookmarks for both sideloaded copies appears to work ok.

     

    So far so good.