Where are my iBooks?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Where are my iBooks?

I have read on this forum that, after syncing, purchased iBooks are stored on my computer's hard drive. I cannot find them. I have a PC. I have done several key word searches of the hard drive and come up empty. Where are they?

PC, Windows Vista

Posted on Mar 21, 2011 8:27 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 21, 2011 11:10 PM in response to jeff1025

If you bought them on the device(iPhone, iPad , iPod touch) and have not synced them over through iTunes, they are still on the device and not on the computer.

Did you plug the iOS device in, right click on the icon in iTunes for the device and select transfer purchases?

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Answer 2

jeff1025 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2011 6:11 AM in response to PogoPossum

So, I guess that works the same as two iPods using the same iTunes account, right?

This is an extremely helpful forum! I have another question:

Now that the iBooks are stored on my computer's hard drive, can I delete them from the iPad? I ask because I know that I will eventually run out of room on the iPad. If I delete them from the iPad, will they remain on my hard drive, even after syncing? Or do I need to move the files to an external drive? And if I do that, will I be able to move them back into iTunes at a later time?

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Answer 3

PogoPossum

Level 4

2,509 points

Mar 22, 2011 6:13 AM in response to jeff1025

You can delete from the iPad and they're OK, but I would just go into iTunes and deselect them from the syncing list. Click on your device name, then books, and uncheck titles you don't want to store on the iPad. Moving them in and out of iTunes can be a pain, but keeping them linked to iTunes but off your iPad is easy.

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Answer 4

jeff1025 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2011 7:05 AM in response to PogoPossum

I tried again and it's still there. I unchecked in under iTunes Store/Purchased on iPad. Also, when I open the Books under my Library listings and right click on the book I'm trying to remove from the sync, I get an option to check it. So it seems that it is unchecked. I'm wondering if I need to configure the sync process in some way. But I haven't found a "sync only checked items" similar to the one for syncing music.

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 22, 2011 7:22 AM in response to jeff1025

I unchecked in under iTunes Store/Purchased on iPad

Don't uncheck it there.
Select iPad in iTunes.
Click the Books tab across top.
Uncheck the books you do not want to sync.

Use the tabs across the top to set syncing preferences specific for each device.

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Answer 6

jeff1025 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2011 7:32 AM in response to Chris CA

When the iPad is connected and I select books from the top of the screen, I get a check box marked "Sync Books." Is that what you are referring to? It is not currently checked, yet the books are syncing. When I check it, I get a warning that says all music and videos will be removed from my iPad. I don't currently have any music on the iPad (it's all on my iPod), but I might want to add music or videos in the future. I guess I'm confused . . .

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Answer 7

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 22, 2011 8:09 AM in response to jeff1025

When the iPad is connected and I select books from the top of the screen, I get a check box marked "Sync Books." Is that what you are referring to?

Check that box then scroll down and check the books you want to sync and uncheck the books you do not want to sync.

When I check it, I get a warning that says all music and videos will be removed from my iPad.

They won't.
If anything gets removed, just select it using the tabs at top.

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Answer 8

jeff1025 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2011 8:19 AM in response to Chris CA

That worked! Thanks much.

One more question and then (hopefully!) I'm done: Is it possible to set up iBook "play lists" similar to music play lists, so that two different iPads can be synced with different iBooks?

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Answer 9

PogoPossum

Level 4

2,509 points

Mar 22, 2011 8:22 AM in response to jeff1025

Sorry I wasn't clear earlier about where to select the books in iTunes ...

I don't know about a playlist as such, but each device can have different books checked to sync with it - I have different books (and music, and video) selected for my iPad and my iPhone.

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Answer 10

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 22, 2011 8:25 AM in response to jeff1025

Is it possible to set up iBook "play lists" similar to music play lists, so that two different iPads can be synced with different iBooks?

Yes, but you do not need to.
As noted, connect the device then select the tabs across top and check what you want to to sync.
The selections are specific for each device.

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Answer 11

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Mar 21, 2011 8:38 PM in response to jeff1025

/Music/iTunes/iTunes media/Books.

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Answer 12

jeff1025 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2011 5:48 AM in response to Johnathan Burger

Aha! I had missed the "transfer purchases" step. Thanks! Does this mean that these books can be synced to my wife's iPad, as well as to mine?

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Answer 13

PogoPossum

Level 4

2,509 points

Mar 22, 2011 6:02 AM in response to jeff1025

Only if you use the same iTunes account for both iPads.

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Answer 14

jeff1025 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2011 6:15 AM in response to PogoPossum

Perfect! I do the same thing with music, so I should have figured that out already. Thanks much to everyone who helped this iPad newbie!

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Answer 15

jeff1025 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2011 6:25 AM in response to jeff1025

Oops, maybe not so perfect. I unchecked a book and then synced the iPad. Turned it back on and opened by iBooks library, and the unchecked book is still there. What did I do wrong?

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