iBooks, iCloud, Metadata mess - how do I reset database and start over?

Question

iBooks, iCloud, Metadata mess - how do I reset database and start over?

I have a mac mini, a macbook air, and an iPhone 7+. I've been trying to put pdf files into iBooks and have them sync across all my devices. I added a number of pdf files, but then decided to delete them. I deleted them on my mac mini, and the pdfs disappeared from all my other devices. That part worked as expected. But then when I try to re-add one of these deleted pdf files, iBooks shows that I have two copies of the file in the library. When I try to remove one of the copies the file disappears completely. Somehow it shows two listings for the same file. Deleting one just deletes both. I have many pdf files that I had earlier put into iBooks that are behaving like this. These file appear twice in the library and duplicate entries cannot be deleted without deleting the entry entirely. Even weirder, the duplicate entries have different metadata (i.e., title and author). One is correct and the other is garbage characters. If I add a pdf to iBooks that was never added before I don't get this weird behavior. I've deleting every book from my iBooks library from every device. All devices show a completely empty iBooks library. Then when I add one of these problematic pdf files the duplicates appear again. It's totally frustrating.

Is there anyway I can delete all the books from iBooks and reset the database so it somehow no longer "remembers" these previously added pdf files? I can delete the app from my iPhone, but it is not possible to remove it from MacOS.

I've even tried some online instructions to remove all iBooks related files from the Library folder of both my macs - com.apple.BKAgentService, preferences, etc. And deleted IBooks from my iPhone. I managed to get a fresh "welcome to iBooks screen" on startup after doing all this. I thought that should work. But as soon as I add one of the pdfs that was previously in the library the same duplicate with garbage metadata appears.

Suggestions anyone?

Thanks,

Philip

iBook, macOS Sierra (10.12.1)

Posted on Oct 26, 2016 6:38 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rysz

Level 8

44,421 points

Apr 22, 2017 11:28 AM in response to pjgrandinetti

FWIW, tried to resolve the same issue by following the steps outlined by Linc Davis here ibook issue on imac, but it did not work. All files, purchases and PDFs, including the duplicates, were still listed in iBooks after restart. I assume the steps need updating for Sierra?

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Answer 2

Nov 13, 2016 6:09 AM in response to pjgrandinetti

I have a similar issue. I add files and it says there are duplicates with the files I'm adding. Finally I open iBooks and it has deleted every new book I've added.

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Answer 3

Nov 15, 2016 8:42 AM in response to pjgrandinetti

Hi Phillip

I managed to fix my issues finally.

Firstly, I found out the issue was in my user library rather than on the iCloud server. I did this by creating a new user account, signing into iCloud and attempting to sync a new book (this worked). I also tried syncing the other way (iPhone>Mac).

Once I'd established this, I was contemplating moving to the new user account. Instead, I used the 'desktop utility' app to toggle hidden files and literally went into my user library folder by folder. I placed any file connected with iBooks and iCloud documents into the trash, including iBooks cookies and caches as well as mobile documents.

I then rebooted and signed back into iBooks. Finally, it worked! Syncing again! I also found my iCloud books were missing at first - but clicking on the iBooks store refreshed my purchases and they reappeared.

Must have been a trashed file somewhere.

Best,

Peter

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Answer 4

Nov 15, 2016 9:03 AM in response to Peter Knapp

nsurlsessiond appears to be the process that pushes the books to the cloud. To narrow things down, start by removing library files relating to it and see if that brings the syncing behaviour back.

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Answer 5

Nov 15, 2016 9:36 AM in response to Peter Knapp

Thanks Peter,

Sounds like you put in an even more heroic effort than I did in trying to fix this problem. I'm a little worried about randomly trashing files in the Library in the hopes that I can delete the bad files.

There has to be someone at Apple (i.e. whoever manages the code for iBooks) that can give us a solution, or at least address it in the next incremental MacOS update. Anybody listening Apple?

Cheers,

Philip

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