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I've uploaded many non-Apple epub books to Books. When I drag and drop them from Books to my computer, other programs (like Calibre) cannot read them. Are they stuck with some DRM or such? All the instructions that I've seen say you should be able to export them by drag and drop.
Mac mini, macOS 12.2
YK, thanks for clearing up the confusion. Looks like Apple changes the .epub when you upload it to them while keeping the .epub extension.
So, Apple may tell you that just drag-and-drop exports the file, the truth is that it cannot be read by other programs. Yet another way Apple locks you into their ecosystem. They just don't play well with others.
Don't get me wrong - I'm an Apple guy through and through... got more Apple devices than I have toes, but every once in a while I need a bit of flexibility. This problem keeps me from sharing MY files with non-Apple users.
YK, thanks for clearing up the confusion. Looks like Apple changes the .epub when you upload it to them while keeping the .epub extension.
So, Apple may tell you that just drag-and-drop exports the file, the truth is that it cannot be read by other programs. Yet another way Apple locks you into their ecosystem. They just don't play well with others.
Don't get me wrong - I'm an Apple guy through and through... got more Apple devices than I have toes, but every once in a while I need a bit of flexibility. This problem keeps me from sharing MY files with non-Apple users.
Bob:
I found a way on reddit and tested working. Here is the link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Calibre/comments/dza1zi/how_do_i_package_files_from_ibooks_own_files_not/
Make sure you download the correct version.
Good luck!
YK
Hello again Poppymeister,
Thanks for the follow-up info. We'd like to suggest booting the computer in safe mode, as this will isolate any problems that might be caused by specifics apps or software. Follow the guidance provided in the Apple Support article: How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support
1 . Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.
3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.
Let us know the outcome, and we can go from there if needed.
Best regards!
Hello Poppymeister,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
We understand that you have imported some ePub books to the Books app but when trying to export these ePub books to another app that you’re unable to do so. We are happy to help.
What is the exact error message that you receive, if any? Were these ePub books previously stored in the iCloud Files app? If so, the format of the ePub books should remain. Please use the Files apps to determine if the format to the ePub books has changed.
How to import books: Import books, audiobooks, or PDFs in Books on Mac - Apple Support
on your Mac, choose File > Import.If you have imported books, purchased audiobooks, and PDFs on your other devices, you can use iCloud for Books to see them on your Mac."
How to view your ePub book files: See your books and audiobooks on all your devices with Books on Mac - Apple Support
"See books, audiobooks, and PDFs you added to Books
> System Settings, then click [your name] at the top of the sidebar (if you don’t see your name, click Sign in to your Mac to enter your Apple ID or to create one). On the right click iCloud, click Options next to iCloud Drive (make sure it’s turned on), then select Books.Let us know if you have further questions.
Take care.
Thanks for the response. Maybe a better explanation of how to export books would help; I found several answers that say to just drag-and-drop to my Downloads folder and then import to other programs normally. Calibre opens if I say File, Open With from my directory, but does not read the file - just does nothing. If, within Calibre I try to import the epub, it pops up with a "Failed to open", then shows my directory and the file name as the name of the imported file. Trying to open that link just says its not there. Most of the error message says:
calibre, version 6.11.0
WARNING: Errors while adding: There were problems adding some files, click "Show details" for more information
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Failed to add the file /Users/MyDirectory/Downloads/File Name.epub to the book: /Users/My Directory/Downloads/File Name
With error:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre/gui2/add.py", line 487, in add_formats
File "calibre/db/cache.py", line 1810, in add_format
IsADirectoryError: [Errno 21] Is a directory: '/Users/My Directory/Downloads/File Name.epub'
The files should be in my Books directory as I make sure they are downloaded before trying to drag to Downloads. I tried importing a new book to Books, then exporting, but the error re-occurs.
Each file opens correctly in Books.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
I didn't quite catch you. Did you get able to export the epub from apple book? As the instruction, copy the epub file for your book folder and change the file type to zip, then drag to the epub zip-unzip 64(Macos), it will generate a new epub file which you can open either in calibre or open ebook app. it works for me now.
My problem persists even after using Safe Mode. I'm not experiencing any problems with other programs.
Everything I read points to doing the following:
Drag-and-Drop a file to Downloads.
The file, originally uploaded as a .epub, shows to remain a .epub after it appears in my Download folder.
If I delete the Books copy, then Import the exported copy, the book loads normally and is viewable.
If I use the Calibre ebook-viewer, or try to import to Calibre, it errors out like my previous post states.
I'd like to get this fixed; I'm trying to trim my Books library as it seems to be slowing down with my quantity of books. I've off-loaded quite a few, but just realized they don't import either.
I'm using a 2018 Mac Mini with the Intel processor.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Bob
Sorry to say, I have not cured the problem yet. I've tried re-booting, Safe mode, changing type of file, turning off accessories, and nothing seems to make a difference. I off-loaded quite a few books recently, now I have to go back and verify if they even work.
Hope you find a solution. If so, drop me a note.
Many thanks,
Bob
Calibre strokes out when it tries to import the Books epubs because they are no longer epubs, but zipped Books files. If you right-click on the epub it shows meta contents. That's why I can Export a file, then import it again to Books with no problem. Just a no-go with Calibre.
Bob
Are you running any VPN, Anti-Virus, or Cleaning apps?
Malwarebytes and Surfshark. I've tried turning them off and see no difference. Also booted in Safe mode.
Hello,
Have you solved your problem? I have met the exact same issue as yours. Wonder if you already found the solution.
Thanks
YK
I don't have ant ebook files, but I wonder if Calbrè helps?
Even unzipping them doesn't help?
Like i said no eBook/ePub files here at all.
Exporting epubs from Books
