Open & Save PDF’s to iBooks on iPhone and iPad
Jul 16, 2010 - 20 Comments
You can easily save or open any PDF into the iBooks application on either an iPhone or iPad.
- First you need to open the PDF on your iPhone/iPad, this can be done through eMail or Safari
- Once the PDF is open, click on the “Open in iBooks” button in the upper right corner
- Anytime you open a PDF with iBooks like this, it stores a copy in your iBooks library for accessing later
- Now you can access that PDF from iBooks, anytime
This is really nice because it lets you access those PDF files on your iOS device later even when you are not online, and you can skim through it like any other iBook within the app. You can also sync these PDF’s as books within iTunes too for easy backing up.
This works on any iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch running the iBooks application. This really is the easiest way to get a PDF file onto your iPad or iPhone for use in iBooks.
Thanks to reader Dustin L for sending in this tip and screenshot!
Does this work on an iPad or just on an iPhone? I have a pdf opened on my iPad and do not see the option to Open in iBooks.
It looks like this is an iPhone OS 4 feature, and iOS 4 is to be released for iPad in the fall of this year… we’ll have to wait a few months.
Even in iPhone 4 notable to view this option kindly help
Bah, I want this feature now. Grr.
If you have an iPhone, do the above, then sync all books to iTunes. Then you can sync all books to your iPad and you will have the PDFs available in iBooks. Not the worst kludge I’ve ever had to do, but still silly that we have to do it.
The iBooks app will now have buttons at the top to select either Books or PDFs
Todd, very helpful advice, thanks. David.
Sorry, I have a question. With reference to the first picture, I face another issue, ” open in PDF reader ” is my default reader. I do not know how to make iBook as my default reader as every document which I wanted to save to my iPhone will be directed to PDF reader automatically. Can anyone help ?
Phonie, it should give you two buttons if you have alternative PDF reading software; one button on the right which is reserved for opening in iBooks, and a button on the left that allows you to ‘open in…’ the application of your choice.
If you have another app called ‘PDF Reader’, then it may be diverting PDFs to itself. Try removing it from your device and see if iBooks becomes the default again.
[...] Once the man page is opened within Preview, you can then use Preview to “Save As” and then create a PDF file of the man page for later viewing. I find myself using this command frequently and then saving the PDF to view on my iPad. [...]
Hello, I had just tested the Ipad without IOS 4.0 and
it still works opening an attachment with PDF in an email and at the right top corner, it will state – Open in Ibooks. Tap on that and it launches Ibooks.
It works perfectly. Thank you for the tip Dustin L and wanted to share mine as well
Regards, BA
[...] upper-right side of the screen. Now I can access this issue anytime without having to be online. (*This works on any iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch running the iBooks application.) While we’re on the topic of libarians, I wanted to share an update posted in the CUNY [...]
What is eMail? Did you mean Mail (the apple email client on OSX & iOS)? Yeah, I’m being anal. but I’m also right.
Maybe email as in electronic mail as in email…
WOW! What is email? Did you mean mail? Idiot
Mail is email. Idiot.
[...] the entire book as a PDF and example files, for free – you can then save and open the PDF on your iPad for quick reference if you [...]
I don’t see an “open in iBooks” on my iPhone or iPad .
[...] some protection which is causing some users trouble, re-save it or download the new version and open that PDF into iBooks and it should [...]
I have the I phone 4 with the latest iOS 5 and when I open the PDF from my email, the button in the upper right hand corner, only allows me an option of print. So any ideas ??
- Search for “Document reader” in the appstore
- Install one of the document reader apps (most free versions should work fine!)
- Open the app, ensure your wifi is switched on.
- Upload your documents and they will now be stored on the app within your phone. You will be able to view them without internet connection.
Just follow the in-app instructions!