Some ePub books not opening in Apple Books

I've recently (maybe last few months) bought some books in ePub format from outside the Bookstore. Some open as expected in Books while others do not. No error message, just no book appearing in the Library. The ePub files are on an external drive. I've tried importing and drag and drop with these files and no update to my library. Any suggestions?


Thanks, David

Mac Studio, macOS 26.2

Posted on Jan 15, 2026 1:36 PM

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5 replies

Jan 16, 2026 12:36 PM in response to David Bourne

David Bourne wrote:

The latest problem ePub file/book is about Apple Swift and AI.

Where is it sold from exactly?


Thanks for the suggestion. I gather the ePub format isn't exactly universal.

With epub the most common issue is differing systems of copy protection (DRM). Books sold from stores other than Apple's may need a different app to open them to deal with that.

PDFs have some quirks too.

PDF's can vary a lot, but usually Acrobat Reader can open those which Books or Preview cannot.




Jan 16, 2026 9:50 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

The latest problem ePub file/book is about Apple Swift and AI. I'm trying to find a contact email to ask. I bought another book yesterday and the ePub file loaded into Books without a problem. Although a couple of pdf files from the same, second author, haven't loaded into Books.


Thanks for the suggestion. I gather the ePub format isn't exactly universal. PDFs have some quirks too.


I had an issue with a book I wrote a couple of years ago. After multiple Apple authoring software changes it is now a Pages document. Exporting to ePub gave an error, from memory, around one of the images(?) I was able to find the error with epubcheck and fix it with BBEdit. Apple has since updated Pages and the error/bug seems to have been fixed.

Some ePub books not opening in Apple Books

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