How to Use iBooks on an iPad

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 2, 2020

iBooks on your iPad is a great digital alternative to reading a book. Downloading iBooks, adding books to your library, and learning to use the user interface are easily and mastered in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Downloading iBooks from the App Store

1
Open the App Store. Tap the App Store icon from your iPad's home screen.
2
Tap the search bar to search for iBooks. Tapping the search bar will open the keyboard.

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3
Type iBooks into the search bar. As you type, suggestions will be made for your search.
4
Tap "Search." This will open the search results.
- You can tap iBooks from the suggested search results.
5
Tap "iBooks." This will open the iBooks app information page.
6
Tap "Download." This will download iBooks to your iPad.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Downloading a book from the iBookstore

1
Open iBooks. Tap on the iBooks icon on your home screen to do so.
2
Tap the search bar. It's located in the top right corner of the screen.
3
Search for book. You can also search for authors or topics you're interested in As you type, suggestions will begin to appear in a drop down menu.
4
Tap on a book to download. This will either begin the download for a free book or ask for you to confirm a payment method for the book then begin the download. Once you've confirmed the download or entered your payment information, the download will begin. When the download is finished, the book will appear in your library.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Learning the Basics of Reading in iBooks

1
Open iBooks. Tap on the iBooks icon on your home screen to do so.
2
Tap on a book to read. This will open the book.
3
Tap on any word in the book. This highlights the word and opens an options menu.
- Tap "Define" to receive a definition for the highlighted word.
- Tap "Note" to leave a note or reminder about the word or section of text.
4
Tap on the magnifying glass. The magnifying glass is in the upper right hand corner of the screen. This opens the search menu and allows you to search for a word or phrase within the text of the book.
5
Tap the small "A" big "A." Located next to the magnifying glass, this opens the text options menu.
- The sliding bar at the top of the menu adjusts the brightness of the text.
- Tapping the large "A" or the small "A" to adjust the text size.
- Tapping "Font" allows you to change the font.
- Tapping a color allows you to change the background color of the text.
- Tapping "Night Mode" toggles night reading, allowing easier reading in dark environments.
6
Rotate your iPad. This allows you to read in landscape or portrait mode.
7
Swipe left or right. This will turn the page.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Saving PDFs to iBooks

1
Open Safari. Do this by tapping on it from your home screen.
2
Navigate to the PDF you wish to save. You can get there by manually typing in the URL into the Safari address bar or by tapping on a link.
3
Tap "Open in 'iBooks.'" This button appears in the top right corner of the screen once you've opened the PDF. This starts saving the PDF to iBooks.
- If you do not see "Open in iBooks," tap anywhere on your screen and the button should appear.
4
Open iBooks. Tap on iBooks from your home screen to do so.
5
Tap on the "Library" tab. The PDF should now appear in your library.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Deleting Books from Your Library

1
Open iBooks. Tap on the iBooks icon from your home screen to do so.
2
Tap "Edit." The "Edit" button is located in the top right corner of your library screen.
3
Tap on the books you wish to delete. A check mark will appear in the lower right hand corner of each book you select.
4
Tap "Delete." "Delete is a red button near the top right corner of the screen. Tapping it will prompt a confirmation alert to appear.
5
Tap "Delete." This will delete all of the selected books from you iPad.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I delete books from my iPad?

Community Answer

First, open iBooks located on the Home screen of your iPad. Then, go into the section you'd like to delete your books from and tap on the edit button in the upper left hand corner. Finally, tap on the titles of the books you'd like to delete.
Question

How can I save a web article to iBooks?

Community Answer

You press the button on the bottom of the screen (it looks like a box with an arrow).
Question

Is there some way to mark my books as being read?

Community Answer

Not that I know of, but I created a new collection called "Read" so I can move books into that collection when I have finished reading them. I also created one called "In Progress" that I use for books I'm currently reading to make them easier to find.