Phone crashes when saving PDF to iBooks

problem: phone crashes/freezes up when I try to save pdf to iBooks. I hit share (in order to go to iBooks icon), at which point everything is frozen. Worked fine yesterday morning, then had issues. Tried again today, unable to save PDF to books. Why? Nothing changed-no changes general etc.

iPhone 13, iOS 26

Posted on Jun 11, 2026 8:08 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 11, 2026 9:39 AM

Hi, this sounds like a Books/PDF glitch or a bad PDF causing the freeze. Since it started suddenly, try these simple steps: restart the iPhone, update iOS/Books if there’s an update, and try a different PDF to see if only one file is causing it.

Quick fixes

  • Force close the app and restart the iPhone.
  • Open Books directly and see if it works there.
  • Try another PDF to check whether one file is broken.
  • If the phone is low on storage, free up some space.

If the same PDF crashes it

  • Delete that PDF from Books and add it again.
  • Open the PDF in Safari or Files first, then try Share > Books again.
5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 11, 2026 9:39 AM in response to KNITn643

Hi, this sounds like a Books/PDF glitch or a bad PDF causing the freeze. Since it started suddenly, try these simple steps: restart the iPhone, update iOS/Books if there’s an update, and try a different PDF to see if only one file is causing it.

Quick fixes

  • Force close the app and restart the iPhone.
  • Open Books directly and see if it works there.
  • Try another PDF to check whether one file is broken.
  • If the phone is low on storage, free up some space.

If the same PDF crashes it

  • Delete that PDF from Books and add it again.
  • Open the PDF in Safari or Files first, then try Share > Books again.

Jun 12, 2026 5:03 AM in response to A_K_01

Thank you for replying.

I have tried various pdfs. The minute I hit “share” total freeze. just tried a minute ago. Same.


unsure how to open a pdf in files. Limited to bookmark. Hmm. I’ll try holding horizontally, perhaps more options?


if I delete iBooks, & re-open (re-start), will I lose the pdfs that are in iBooks? Some pdfs are no longer available, hence parked in books. Have no printer, so the option saving those pdfs to alternate source is no go. Perhaps need to invest in one?


Lotsa storage available.

if shut phone off, what will I “lose”… open files? i will look at more info re shutdown.


appreciate your help!!



Jun 12, 2026 5:30 AM in response to A_K_01

Second reply.


haven’t yet re-started phone.


another question:

i asked here because i was trying to save pdf to iBooks.

perhaps a better, more succinct question… whenever i hit “share” (box w arrow) THAT’s when freeze up. I can’t get to the options (print, iBooks etc).


so is this still an iBooks issue? Or something other?

again, I’ll try force phone off.

thanks!

Phone crashes when saving PDF to iBooks

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.