Apple Books
Apple's built-in reader and store for ebooks and audiobooks, synced across your Apple devices
by Apple Inc. · listed Oct 31, 2026
Quick verdict
If you live in Apple's ecosystem, it is a polished, no-cost reader worth using. If you want your library available on Android or other platforms, look elsewhere.
Best for iPhone and iPad owners who want a free, built-in place to buy, read and listen to books
Reviewed by AppsPicks on Oct 31, 2026. How we review
Apple Books review
Apple Books is Apple's own app for buying, reading and listening to books on iPhone and iPad. It combines a reader, an audiobook player and a storefront with charts, curated collections and free samples. It suits anyone in the Apple ecosystem who wants one place for their reading, whether that is store purchases, free titles or EPUB and PDF files you add yourself.
Day to day it is simple. Your library, the Want to Read list and current books sit in one place, and your position syncs between devices signed in to the same Apple account. You can adjust themes, fonts, line height and letter spacing, switch to vertical scrolling, or let a night theme take over after dark. Reading Goals give you a daily target and streaks if you like a gentle nudge. There is no subscription. You pay per title, and samples and previews let you try before buying.
Why we picked it: It is free, preinstalled on most Apple devices, and handles ebooks, audiobooks and your own files in a clean, customisable reader.
Watch out for: Purchases are tied to Apple's ecosystem. There is no Android app, and the books you buy cannot be read in other apps such as Kindle.
What we like
- No subscription, and samples and previews are free before you buy
- Reading position and library sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Flexible reading settings, including spacing, themes and vertical scrolling
- Ebooks and audiobooks live in a single library
- Reading Goals and a Want to Read list help build a habit
What could be better
- Only available on Apple devices
- Purchased books are locked to Apple's platform
- No all-you-can-read subscription option like some rivals offer
Questions about Apple Books
Is Apple Books free?
The app is free and needs no subscription. Many books are free, but most store titles and audiobooks are bought individually.
Can I use Apple Books on Android or Windows?
There is no official Android or Windows app. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Can I read my own files?
Yes. You can add EPUB and PDF files to your library, and they can sync across your Apple devices through iCloud.
Does it work offline?
Books and audiobooks you download to your device can be read or played without a connection. Browsing the store needs internet access.
What are the alternatives?
Amazon Kindle suits people who want their books on many platforms. Libby lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your public library for free.
From the developer: how Apple Books describes itself
Apple Books is the best place to discover, read and listen to entertaining and informative books and audiobooks. Browse through top charts, personalised recommendations and expertly curated collections in the Book Store and Audiobook Store, or use search to easily find the perfect read or listen, no subscription needed. Track what you’ve read and want to read, and set your own reading goals—all in one app and across all your Apple devices.
Explore millions of books and audiobooks • Check out today’s bestsellers, free books and special offers for readers of all ages, plus personalised recommendations. • Explore collections curated by the Apple Books team to find your next book or audiobook in your favourite genres, from mysteries and thrillers to romance, history, self-development and kids. • Sample any book or preview an audiobook to start enjoying the first few pages for free. • Keep track of the books and audiobooks you’re interested in with your Want to Read list.
Customise your reading experience • Choose from a selection of reading themes, which include a variety of fonts and background colours. • Make your book easy to read by adjusting line height and letter spacing to your preference. • Use Auto-Night Theme and adjust your screen brightness to make reading more comfortable for your eyes. • Enable vertical scrolling to move continuously through books instead of flipping pages.
Make reading a habit with Reading Goals • Set a reading goal to encourage yourself to read daily. • Track reading streaks and how many books you’ve read this year. • Get reminders and coaching to help you achieve your reading goals.
Share with your whole family • Family Sharing lets you enjoy your books and audiobooks with your favourite people. Invite up to five family members.
Apple CarPlay • Designed with safety in mind, the Audiobooks app in Apple CarPlay allows you to listen to audiobooks while driving. • Large buttons make it easy to start and stop, rewind or fast forward, and the simplified library helps you find your next audiobook while still keeping your eyes on the road.
Apple Watch features • Use the Audiobooks app on Apple Watch to get back to your recent audiobooks or browse your library right from your wrist. • Use the Watch app on iPhone to choose which audiobooks to download to your Apple Watch.
Requirements & store availability • iPhone requires iOS 12 or later. • iPad requires iPadOS 12 or later. • Content varies by country or region and may not be available on all devices.
Text from the app store listing, quoted for reference. Our own take is above.
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