PDFs in iBooks on iPad lost - how to retrieve?

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Level 1

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PDFs in iBooks on iPad lost - how to retrieve?

Hi,

I have always backed up my iPad to my Mac. Recently when I changed iPads I lost all the pdfs in iBooks. They were not purchased 'books' but collections of important info I thought were saved safely. Not changed Apple ID or anything else. Is there a way I can restore the contents of iBooks from a past backup without screwing up the rest of my iPad settings or access these documents directly on my Mac from the backup?

Help appreciated.

Mac Pro, macOS 11.6

Posted on Jun 20, 2024 5:04 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Level 10

319,559 points

Jun 20, 2024 5:12 AM in response to HGMac

PDF files downloaded to the iOS/iPadOs Books App are not transferred between devices - and might not be included in your backups.

The PDF files, that you will have hopefully kept copies elsewhere - or will have access to the original source - must be downloaded again to your replacement iPad.

If you still have access to your previous iPad, you can use the Books App share tool to export the already downloaded PDF files to some other location (such as iCloud), or use AirDrop to copy the file to another Apple device.

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Answer 2

HGMac Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 20, 2024 1:22 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thankyou. Thats dissapointing, I assumed backing up the iPad ensured it backed up everything and I no longer have access to old iPad as it was a replacement under battery guarantee. Is there a way to backup iBooks separately then? Any free software?

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PDFs in iBooks on iPad lost - how to retrieve?

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