Loren Ryter

Q: Can iBooks synch with separate store & iCloud Apple IDs?

Like many, I have two Apple IDs. One for use with the iTunes/App/iBook Stores and the other for iCloud.

 

I believe I've run up against a wall when it comes to synching ePub books that are in Mac OS X iBooks.

 

In both iBooks (OS X 10.11.6) and iBooks (iOS 9.3.3) I am signed into my store ID.  In both the OS X and iOS iCloud Setttings under iCloud Drive options, iBooks is enbaled. (Again, iCloud uses a different Apple ID). The options to sync "books, highlights, and collections" across devices is enabled on both devices.  Basically I've followed all directions I could find including "Use iCloud Drive or iBooks to access your PDF files, ePub files, and books" and "Set up iCloud Drive on all of your devices" and the "See your books on all your devices" section in the built-in help for iBooks.

 

Additionally, this discussion suggests that iBooks uses the store account not an iCloud account, but it might be out of date.

 

Result:  Only books purchased (free or paid) in the store appear on my iPhone (with the cloud download option). No ePub books that I've added to iBooks in OS X appear on my iPhone.

 

Question:  What does the iTunes Books synch option have to do with this?  I thought that was supposed to be removed once you have "moved" your books from iTunes to iBooks (which I have, twice now).  Why is it still there?

 

Bottom line is I don't believe there is a way around this.  I'm going to send Apple feedback.

 

But I'd sure like to hear if anyone has a different experience or has any further ideas or comments.

Mac Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), iPhone 6 (iOS 9.3.3), iPad 2

Posted on Aug 6, 2016 2:52 AM