iPad Can't side load to iBooks with latest software

AlexBell · 07-17-2015, 02:32 AM

In the past I've been able to side load ePub ebooks into iBooks by dragging and dropping the ebook from a folder on my Windows 7 computer to iBooks open to the book list.

I upgraded my iPad to iOS 8.4 this afternoon, and to the latest version of iTunes, and when I tried to side load as described above all I saw was a barred circle, and the ebook did not transfer. I was able to load the same ebook to Bluefire through Dropbox.

Is there some way I can get an ebook I designed and want to test on iBooks into iBooks?

kyteflyer · 07-17-2015, 03:09 AM

One way I've been able to load non-Apple books is by using my Dropbox store of my Calibre library, and using "open in". This would also be possible if you had some kind of file browser on your device which allowed access and download of your book, and "open in". I have File Browser and it works just fine that way.
http://stratospherix.com/products/filebrowser/

FlorenceArt · 07-17-2015, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

In the past I've been able to side load ePub ebooks into iBooks by dragging and dropping the ebook from a folder on my Windows 7 computer to iBooks open to the book list.

I upgraded my iPad to iOS 8.4 this afternoon, and to the latest version of iTunes, and when I tried to side load as described above all I saw was a barred circle, and the ebook did not transfer. I was able to load the same ebook to Bluefire through Dropbox.

Is there some way I can get an ebook I designed and want to test on iBooks into iBooks?

I haven't done this in a while. I used to do it in iTunes by dropping the book on the book list. Maybe it doesn't work in recent versions though.

Otherwise, as kyteflyer suggested, you can use the open in feature from any app that you can load your book in, including Dropbox or similar, Mail, any file management app, GoodReader...

markom · 07-17-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

...

Is there some way I can get an ebook I designed and want to test on iBooks into iBooks?

If you have a Wi-Fi router you don't need to connect PC and iPad via USB or use active internet connection for Dropbox etc. but instead you can just use any of hundreds of free ereaders, file managers, multimedia players etc. with Wi-Fi capability.

Start Wi-Fi connection within app, enter given adress into any web-browser on your PC and choose the file for transfering.

Once file has been transferred to iPad's app, you should choose "open in" function to open ebook with iBooks.

If you want to transfer many ebooks, mp3, videos etc. at once, you should rar or zip them together beforehand (without any compression involved) e.g. using WinRAR on PC and unrar them in iPad after transfering.

e.g. using Chm+

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chmp...554596300?mt=8

AlexBell · 07-17-2015, 10:11 PM

Thanks for the responses, and the trouble taken to try to help me. But I'm afraid I only understand about one word in three of the suggestions.

I do have a wifi connection - that's how I transfer ebooks from Dropbox to Bluefire on my iPad - at the moment that's my favourite ereader on the iPad.

Could you give me a name for 'one of the thousands of file managers...' Should it go on my Windows 7 computer or on the iPad?

Last night I stumbled blindly around the iPad while it was connected to iTunes and my Windows 7 computer. I found a way to display the book related apps with which I could transfer files to the iPad, and found that iBooks was not amongst them. I don't know whether iBooks would have appeared on that list before the iOS 8.4 'upgrade', but I do know that I could transfer my ebooks to iBooks by dragging and dropping. And I can't now.

FlorenceArt · 07-18-2015, 05:10 AM

Alex, I just opened iBooks (probably for the first time) on my Mac and was able to add an ePub by dropping its icon on the book list. This is what you are trying to do, yes? Have you tried it with other ePub files? Maybe there is something in yours that iBooks doesn't like.

I have version 1.1.1 (600) of iBooks for Mac OS X. I assume this is the latest one, since I don't have any pending updates on the app store.

FlorenceArt · 07-18-2015, 05:21 AM

I have to admit I don't quite understand what you are trying to do. Do you want the book on your iPad? Because I don't think dropping it on iBooks on your computer will do that.

I tried to add a book to my iPad from iTunes but couldn't find a way, so maybe you are right that this functionality has disappeared, although it seems weird. Nothing I tried seemed to work. I think the simplest way is to either mail yourself the book, or upload it to Google Drive or Dropbox, then open it on the corresponding app on your iPad and use Open in to transfer it to iBooks.

AlexBell · 07-18-2015, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

I have to admit I don't quite understand what you are trying to do. Do you want the book on your iPad? Because I don't think dropping it on iBooks on your computer will do that.

I tried to add a book to my iPad from iTunes but couldn't find a way, so maybe you are right that this functionality has disappeared, although it seems weird. Nothing I tried seemed to work. I think the simplest way is to either mail yourself the book, or upload it to Google Drive or Dropbox, then open it on the corresponding app on your iPad and use Open in to transfer it to iBooks.

Thanks for your response. But dropping the ePub file from my Windows 7 folder on to the iBooks folder showing all the books in iBooks has worked many times before. This was how I uploaded ePub ebooks into iBooks as the routine way of transferring; that was how I opened and read the ebooks. But it doesn't work now.

A few minutes ago I opened the Dropbox folder on my iPad (standing alone, not connected to my computer) and found the ebook I wanted to transfer. I selected it on the iPad, and got an icon with a question mark with the text 'No Preview Available. This file type can't be viewed.' There is also a blue Learn more link, but it doesn't work - when I touch the link nothing happens. How do I get the ePub file to 'Open in' to iBooks?

I also have a text file in the iPad Dropbox. That file opened and was readable when I touched it.

I'm sorry to seem so dumb, but I'm not an Apple user, and only use my iPad for testing ebooks I have designed.

PS. I'm as sure as I can be that the ePub file is valid; it works perfectly well on my Sony and Kobo readers, and in Bluefire.

Poodlemom1 · 07-18-2015, 08:27 AM

Alex, when you get the 'no preview available' touch the small box with the up arrow at the top of the screen. It will bring up a box with compatible apps. iBooks is the first choice on my iPad.

markom · 07-18-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

...
Could you give me a name for 'one of the thousands of file managers...' Should it go on my Windows 7 computer or on the iPad?

....

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/file...582219355?mt=8

You can also use CHM+ reader mentioned before or Foxit PDF reader.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chmp...554596300?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foxi...507040546?mt=8

So, start CHM+ or Foxit; in the bottom left corner in CHM+ there should be Wi_Fi network icon, or in left pane in Foxit.

Click on the icon (Wi-Fi connection should be established beforehand, otherwise there will be message "No Wi-Fi connection") and write the given iPad adress e.g. http:/192.168.5.102:8080 into an adress bar of internet browser on your PC, for the transfer window to appear.

After you have transfered the file into CHM+, Foxit or any other iPad app, you should just find "open in" command to open the file in iBooks.

In CHM+ you should tap and hold on the file name for the "Open in" button to appear, whereas in Foxit you should open the epub and choose the last icon on the right (tapping once on the middle of the page for the menu bar to appear on the top) .

This is the quickest way for me because it takes just a couple of seconds to establish the connection and start transferring the files, because internet browser remembers the address, so it is not neccesary to enter it completely every time, but just to choose appropriate address which pops up after entering the first digit or two e.g. just 1 or 19 for 192.168 ...

AlexBell · 07-18-2015, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poodlemom1

Alex, when you get the 'no preview available' touch the small box with the up arrow at the top of the screen. It will bring up a box with compatible apps. iBooks is the first choice on my iPad.

Thanks so much - that works for me. I now have the ebook on iBooks and have confirmed that the ebook works as expected.

AlexBell · 07-18-2015, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markom

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/file...582219355?mt=8

<snipped>

This is the quickest way for me because it takes just a couple of seconds to establish the connection and start transferring the files, because internet browser remembers the address, so it is not neccesary to enter it completely every time, but just to choose appropriate address which pops up after entering the first digit or two e.g. just 1 or 19 for 192.168 ...

Thanks, marcom. I appreciate the trouble you've taken to respond, but PoodleMom's methods works and seems simpler.

markom · 07-19-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

Thanks, marcom. I appreciate the trouble you've taken to respond, but PoodleMom's methods works and seems simpler.

Both ways are very simple and quick, but using Wi-Fi connection in my case is a lot quicker for bigger files, because my current upload speed at home is poor 1/4 MB/s, whereas Wi-Fi connection is at 2-3 MB/s i.e. 10 times quicker than sending files to Dropbox.

I can use 3G for a lot quicker upload but I don't have a flat rate there, so again better to use home Wi-Fi.

I also have my ebooks and videos on Wi-Fi HDD (cheap 40$ Wi-Fi enclosure) so no need for PC or Wi-Fi router or internet/cloud or even much storage space on the tablets because I can wirelessly stream videos and big pdfs easily.

For those who would like a fast, quick to establish and easy USB PC-iPad transfer Goodreader app has got USB file transfer utility.

No need to start iTunes on PC or Goodreader on iPad, but just to start GoodreaderUSB utility on PC and connect iPad/iPhone and PC via USB.

http://www.goodreader.com/usb/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/good...777310222?mt=8

BenG · 07-19-2015, 10:55 AM

I just tried it. It seems you can use iTunes to drag and drop it directly into My Books on your phone if it's connected, but not to the ITunes Library.

BenG · 07-19-2015, 11:10 AM

OK. I tried it again. I was looking at the section where it showed the books on My Device and the sync settings.

If I go to the My Books Library I can drag and drop a file into the Books library and then drag and drop it into my phone. If the phone is connected I can drag the book from the library to the left edge of the screen and a drawer pops out listing the connected devices and I can drop it onto one of those.

I just updated Itunes a couple of days ago so it should be the latest one.

07-17-2015, 02:32 AM	#1
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	Can't side load to iBooks with latest software In the past I've been able to side load ePub ebooks into iBooks by dragging and dropping the ebook from a folder on my Windows 7 computer to iBooks open to the book list. I upgraded my iPad to iOS 8.4 this afternoon, and to the latest version of iTunes, and when I tried to side load as described above all I saw was a barred circle, and the ebook did not transfer. I was able to load the same ebook to Bluefire through Dropbox. Is there some way I can get an ebook I designed and want to test on iBooks into iBooks?

07-17-2015, 10:11 PM	#5
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	Thanks for the responses, and the trouble taken to try to help me. But I'm afraid I only understand about one word in three of the suggestions. I do have a wifi connection - that's how I transfer ebooks from Dropbox to Bluefire on my iPad - at the moment that's my favourite ereader on the iPad. Could you give me a name for 'one of the thousands of file managers...' Should it go on my Windows 7 computer or on the iPad? Last night I stumbled blindly around the iPad while it was connected to iTunes and my Windows 7 computer. I found a way to display the book related apps with which I could transfer files to the iPad, and found that iBooks was not amongst them. I don't know whether iBooks would have appeared on that list before the iOS 8.4 'upgrade', but I do know that I could transfer my ebooks to iBooks by dragging and dropping. And I can't now. Last edited by AlexBell; 07-17-2015 at 11:03 PM.

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07-17-2015, 03:09 AM	#2
kyteflyer Wizard Posts: 1,844 Karma: 9547754 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: iPhone 12 Mini	One way I've been able to load non-Apple books is by using my Dropbox store of my Calibre library, and using "open in". This would also be possible if you had some kind of file browser on your device which allowed access and download of your book, and "open in". I have File Browser and it works just fine that way. http://stratospherix.com/products/filebrowser/

07-18-2015, 05:10 AM	#6
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	Alex, I just opened iBooks (probably for the first time) on my Mac and was able to add an ePub by dropping its icon on the book list. This is what you are trying to do, yes? Have you tried it with other ePub files? Maybe there is something in yours that iBooks doesn't like. I have version 1.1.1 (600) of iBooks for Mac OS X. I assume this is the latest one, since I don't have any pending updates on the app store.

07-18-2015, 05:21 AM	#7
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	I have to admit I don't quite understand what you are trying to do. Do you want the book on your iPad? Because I don't think dropping it on iBooks on your computer will do that. I tried to add a book to my iPad from iTunes but couldn't find a way, so maybe you are right that this functionality has disappeared, although it seems weird. Nothing I tried seemed to work. I think the simplest way is to either mail yourself the book, or upload it to Google Drive or Dropbox, then open it on the corresponding app on your iPad and use Open in to transfer it to iBooks.

07-18-2015, 08:27 AM	#9
Poodlemom1 Groupie Posts: 184 Karma: 1028568 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: OK Device: Voyage, Oasis, Glow HD, Fire HD6, iPad Air 2, Mini 2	Alex, when you get the 'no preview available' touch the small box with the up arrow at the top of the screen. It will bring up a box with compatible apps. iBooks is the first choice on my iPad.

07-19-2015, 10:55 AM	#14
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	I just tried it. It seems you can use iTunes to drag and drop it directly into My Books on your phone if it's connected, but not to the ITunes Library.

07-19-2015, 11:10 AM	#15
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	OK. I tried it again. I was looking at the section where it showed the books on My Device and the sync settings. If I go to the My Books Library I can drag and drop a file into the Books library and then drag and drop it into my phone. If the phone is connected I can drag the book from the library to the left edge of the screen and a drawer pops out listing the connected devices and I can drop it onto one of those. I just updated Itunes a couple of days ago so it should be the latest one.