iBooks: Any way to share books across multiple iPads? (Family library)

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iBooks: Any way to share books across multiple iPads? (Family library)

I'm currently using the Kindle app--which allows my family to share books with ONE account across multiple devices (like 2 iPads and 2 iPhones). Is there any way to do this with iBooks? It appears iBooks is locked to the userid set in iTunes. I love to set the userid within iBooks to make this a family library. Thanks!

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.3), and 3G iPad

Posted on Dec 16, 2010 7:53 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

King_Penguin

Level 10

334,144 points

Dec 16, 2010 8:03 AM in response to jwrightstudio

You can only put iBookstore books on devices that are linked to your iTunes account. From 'Managing your iBooks and iBookstore content' on http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4059

+Books downloaded from the iBookstore can be placed on up to five computers you own that you’ve authorized with your iTunes Store account. You can sync your books to all iPads, iPhones, and iPod touches you own.+

If they are non-iBookstore books/pdfs then you should be ok (assuming that they don't have DRM that prevent you putting them in iBooks in the firstplace).

Message was edited by: King_Penguin

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Answer 2

Dec 16, 2010 8:05 AM in response to King_Penguin

Thanks...so if my wife has a different iTunes ID (show does), then we can't share our books? Is there a place to leave feedback to Apple about iBooks specifically? I couldn't find that on the main feedback page. Having a simple way to 'family' share books across accounts would be great.

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Answer 3

King_Penguin

Level 10

334,144 points

Dec 16, 2010 8:11 AM in response to jwrightstudio

Correct, and its probably down to copyright/digital rights issues.

I don't think that there is an iBooks specific category - you could try using the iPad page ( http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html)

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Answer 4

varjak paw

Level 10

170,206 points

Dec 16, 2010 8:21 AM in response to jwrightstudio

The iPad can be authorized to up to five iTunes Store accounts (mine is authorized to two with no problems). Just select the iBook to be syched to her iPad, if she's using the same computer and iTunes library as you.

If she's using the same computer as you but has her own user account in Mac OS X and so a separate iTunes library, just copy the iBook to her iTunes library (you can use the Users -> Shared folder, or external storage such as a USB flash drive), then just drag the iBook into the iTunes window and authorize her copy of iTunes to your iTunes Store account. The same applies if she's using a different computer to sync her iPad. Just copy the iBook to her computer, authorize her iTunes to the iTunes Store account under which the iBook was purchased, and add the iBook to her iTunes library.

Regards.

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Answer 5

Dec 16, 2010 8:20 AM in response to jwrightstudio

Actually, I'm not sure you can't.

You can authorise a computer with more than one iTunes account. It is possible for an iPad to have Apps, music and video that have been bought on more than one account, so I don't see why iBooks should be any different.

Just authorise your wifes computer for your iTunes account and see how you go.

NB. I haven't bought anything on iBooks, so I don't know whether there is anything different that will stop this from working.

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Answer 6

Dec 16, 2010 8:30 AM in response to varjak paw

Thanks Dave, this may solve my issue, I'll give it a try. I guess, however, it's not the most elegant solution. I wish Apple would keep all the books in a cloud library (like Amazon/Kindle...archive feature), so my wife could just download my books from her iPad instead and copying from my iTunes account then syncing back to her iPad/iPhone.

I will put in a feature request to Apple.

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,417 points

Dec 16, 2010 11:11 AM in response to jwrightstudio

iBooks are like app, you can redownload at no additional cost as long as the computer/device is signed into the iTunes account that originally purchased the iBook. Thus, you wife should be able to redownload one of your iBooks for free when she is signed into your iTunes account.

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Answer 8

varjak paw

Level 10

170,206 points

Dec 16, 2010 12:51 PM in response to jwrightstudio

As lilass said, you can redownload an iBook if you wish. It may be just quicker to copy the book rather than download. Up to you which is most convenient, though.

Regards.

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Answer 9

Dec 27, 2011 8:12 AM in response to varjak paw

Thanks for all the help!

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Answer 10

smknabel

Level 1

0 points

Jan 10, 2013 9:54 PM in response to jwrightstudio

First, In a way, isn't the item already being 'stored' in the cloud if you have it pullet up in your subscriptions in iTunes, but you don't download it? Just a thouhgt?

I don't mind having the option to back up to the cloud and store on the cloud, but I Really, Really like being able to have the files on my local machine. There are so many instances when traveling for work where I wasn't given per diem for aiprot internet, but I could still listen to my books and such becuase I could download them and update my smaller devices (ipad, ipod. ).

I love hear about all these new ideas. Thanks for investigating.

Sean

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Answer 11

LDinSTL

Level 1

0 points

Mar 18, 2013 1:35 PM in response to varjak paw

You can have multiple iTunes accounts on one computer. BUT you can NOT download DRM protected (commercial) ibooks from different iTunes accounts directly to your computer OR your iphone/ipad by signing into different accounts at any time you like.

If you try, a message saying that you CAN switch accounts will come up, but also warning that you won't be able to download from any other iTunes account to that device or computer for 90 DAYS.

Copying a DRM-protected ibook file (.epub) directly from within your own Music itunes library folder on your computer and then moving the epub file to another computer via wifi, email, usb stick, etc. may work.

You can try dragging the transferred file onto the iTunes app icon to "open" it to add to the iTunes library.

But you will probably need to put the ibook .epub file into an identically named folder in the iTunes folder on the new computer, and then sync the iPhone or iPad with the iTunes app on the second computer using a USB cable connection. Nothing else worked for me.

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Answer 12

Hawkdad

Level 1

0 points

Sep 19, 2013 8:08 PM in response to jwrightstudio

IIf you are talking about books from a library downloaded using Overdrive or a similar program. You can transfer from one device to another by downloading a program called LEAWO ITRANSFER. This will enable to move books, music etc between different I devices. And different ITunes family users.

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