Can't open PDF files in iBooks on my iPad

HI, I had the same trouble and after reading some discussions I really didn't find any helpful informatioN. So I tried something that solved this problem. I just opened the PDF file on mail app and selected the MARKUP icon (the little toolbox at the right top), then i just edited it using the pen tool and made a little line wherever in the file. Then just clicked Done and tried again to import with iBooks and I got it. Just like this. I hope this be helpful.

I've got exactly the same problem - it is irritating to say the least. No one knows of any solution to this, and if it was only this it would be great, Frankly, a couple of days ago I've also experienced a complete crash of ibooks on my imac, which resulted in a major loss of my pdf files, and guess what, Apple had no answers either. Four of their "experts" had me on the phone for more that 2 hours and none of them could provide any solutions either. Well, there we are - no one is perfect...

First think would suggest is a reboot of your iPad. Press and hold the Home and Sleep buttons simultaneously ignoring the red slider until the Apple logo appears. Let go of the buttons and let the iPad restart.

But you indicate that you have already done that. There an additional thing I would try.

First sync your iPad so that all the books and PDFs that you have are backed up to your computer. Then delete the iBooks app and reinstall it.

Before reinstalling your books and PDFs try to load a new PDF from Safari. Perhaps try one that is different from the one that gave you problems before. If that works, try the problem PDF again. If that works I suspect that either your iBooks was somehow corrupted when installing the first time or one of your PDFs or books was corrupt. Add books one or two at a time and check to see if the problem reoccurs.

Are you in PDF collections?

On th upper left there is a collections button. PDFs are stored in the PDF collection by default.

Hope it isn't some other obscure bug.

I was having the same issues and tried everything suggested. I then opened the PDF on Kindle. Next I tried again on IBooks and it worked perfectly on one try.

Happening again.

Same problem. It started after I loaded the update to version 2.1.1 (908).

I don't think it has to do with Safari.

I create a document using Pages in iWork, then I email it as a PDF to myself. Then I choose "open in iBooks" from Mail.

At first it would go to iBooks the first time, no problem. After a while, and I'm not sure what changed, I had to do it 3 times, just as you did, with the title briefly appearing in the PDF collection "shelf" on the 2nd try, as you said and on the 3rd time it was there.

Ever since the most recent iBooks update, even with rebooting, I haven't been able to put a PDF in iBooks at all. I tried deleting one and re-doing it, also. It didn't work either.

I was trying to go back to a previous version of iBooks, to see if it still worked, but I haven't figured out how to do that. In the Internet descriptions of how to revert to a previous version of an app, it says to find the earlier version in the trash, but that's only on the computer, not the iPad, right? I can't find any .ipa that looks like iBooks in my computer's trash.

Very likely I'm just not getting it, but that is what I think I (or someone smarter than me) should try next.

Having the same exact issues loading pdf from mail, and regardless of rebooting it is not uploading. I used ot at leats be able to load pdf from mail after 3 tries, but as of today, not at all.

waiting for some light on this matter

we have a large group of independant sales reps that are using ibooks as a way of storing our pdf information when working with clients, this method became a standard with us, until this same issue began, we have tried taking off part, then all of our data, deleting ibooks then re-installing it and putting data back on in small amounts, but the problem came back. we are looking into other pdf visual storage apps and have found a few, but would rather stay with ibooks as it seems to allow faster access to information.

I haven't found anything that works to fix this issue either. I keep a lot of work files in iBooks and it has been a valuable asset until now. Not being able to open and keep PDFs in iBooks started with the iOS 5 update for me. I just figured out that my iPhone doesn't have this problem and I can't figure out why it works there but not on my iPad. I might have to bother the genius bar on this one. It's too vital to let go of this ability. I'll post back if I get a worthy fix.

i have been using an app called "ammo rack" it is actually better than ibooks, but is a bit doggy when i am scrolling through multi page pdf files. but for now it is my "go to" for storage until this gets figured out.

I'm running iOS 5.1 on a new iPad with the current version of iBooks. I've tried several files from both Safari, iCab, and email and I can't replicate the issue. based on the quantity of reports of this issue, it isn't widespread and not a "bug" per se. Still frustrating for you. One thing to look into is what version of PDF the files you were using was created against and see if there is any consistency.

You might look into GoodReader or Adobe Reader as an alternative to iBooks in the short term for handling the PDFs.

i am wondering if there is a capacity issue, the problem with goodreader is that it is not visual and you end up with a bunch of files inside of files, i want a visual interface, it is what apple is all about!