iPad Looking for Recommendations for apps that sync epub reading progress across devices

SoccerDad91016 · 03-06-2025, 12:30 PM

I have a self hosted Calibre library and am looking for a reader that has OPDS support and will sync reading progress across devices.

I've tried Pocketbook and while I can access my library it does not sync reading progress back to my Calibre library.

I've seen a few recommendations for Bookfusion, but the cost is off putting, as well as having to sync my library to their cloud.

MapleRead looks intriguing but before buying I thought I'd see if there were other options.

Eventually, I'd like to add an e-ink device to the mix. I know this is basically trying to replicate whispersync, but hoping to ween myself off of Amazon.

Is this a bridge too far?

MegDreamsofBooks · 03-10-2025, 01:08 AM

I’ll be interested to see if you find anything that does this. I’m trying to accomplish almost the same thing, and I’ve settled on Pocketbook. The iOS app is a little bit buggy, and it doesn’t sync to Calibre, but it syncs between devices and I really like their e-ink readers.

The reading progress on all my books is all messed up with the move from Kindle to Calibre and multiple sources, and my Calibre library still needs a lot of work, so syncing PB data back to Calibre hasn’t been a priority yet.

MegDreamsofBooks · 03-11-2025, 12:07 AM

Well, the Pocketbook iOS app bugged out on me one too many times last night, so based on this and the thread below I tried the free Mapleread app to check out the interface. This morning I bought the “collection” of both apps, although I’m not sure I need more than SE.

I’m still learning some of the Calibre bits, but even so I’ve managed to hook up my iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPhone all to Calibre OPDS server, download some of my books, and confirm that the reading progress and “Sets” syncs between devices as I’d like it to.

Most importantly. . . The app doesn’t crash and go into a totally unusable failure mode for over 2 minutes just because I accidentally let the iPad go to sleep with a book open.

So far I’m happy with the way Mapleread works for syncing and Calibre, it’s definitely an improvement over Pocketbook and Kindle for iOS. Plus once I get my Calibre library sorted out (so.many.series.to.fix.) it should be a lot easier to maintain my library of books acquired from multiple (legal) non-Amazon sources.

SoccerDad91016 · 03-22-2025, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegDreamsofBooks

Well, the Pocketbook iOS app bugged out on me one too many times last night, so based on this and the thread below I tried the free Mapleread app to check out the interface. This morning I bought the “collection” of both apps, although I’m not sure I need more than SE.

I’m still learning some of the Calibre bits, but even so I’ve managed to hook up my iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPhone all to Calibre OPDS server, download some of my books, and confirm that the reading progress and “Sets” syncs between devices as I’d like it to.

Most importantly. . . The app doesn’t crash and go into a totally unusable failure mode for over 2 minutes just because I accidentally let the iPad go to sleep with a book open.

So far I’m happy with the way Mapleread works for syncing and Calibre, it’s definitely an improvement over Pocketbook and Kindle for iOS. Plus once I get my Calibre library sorted out (so.many.series.to.fix.) it should be a lot easier to maintain my library of books acquired from multiple (legal) non-Amazon sources.

I also went the MapleReader route, syncing between my iPad Air and iPad mini. So far so good. At some point I hope to an ereader (probably a Kobo reader) to the mix and see if I can get KOReader to sync as well.

QuietShelfLife · 02-27-2026, 09:33 AM

Cross-device reading progress sync is one of the most underrated features. Glad MapleRead worked out for you. The OPDS + Calibre server combo really is the most flexible self-hosted setup — you keep full control of your library and any reader that supports OPDS can tap into it. The main limitation I've hit is that OPDS itself doesn't define a standard for syncing reading position, so each app has to roll its own solution. That's why you end up locked into one reader ecosystem for the sync to actually work across devices.

rfog · Today, 07:33 AM

I use Kindle, which is available on Windows, macOS, Linux (with an emulator, I think), iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Amazon eInk devices. It syncs across all platforms, even with non-purchased ebooks sent via the email service, keeping books, reading positions, and notes updated through the Amazon platform. I also use FBReader (from FBReader.org). It’s not the most attractive app, but it works on all platforms and syncs books, positions, and notes via the Google platform. While it offers deep customization, it lacks some basic CSS support.

The Old Man · Today, 10:10 AM

rfog, thanks for mentioning FBReader. Looks interesting. I, too,have been using Kindle except for a few books that Send to Kindle wouldn’t except.

03-06-2025, 12:30 PM	#1
SoccerDad91016 Enthusiast Posts: 34 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2014 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire HD 8, Microsoft Surface Go 3	Looking for Recommendations for apps that sync epub reading progress across devices I have a self hosted Calibre library and am looking for a reader that has OPDS support and will sync reading progress across devices. I've tried Pocketbook and while I can access my library it does not sync reading progress back to my Calibre library. I've seen a few recommendations for Bookfusion, but the cost is off putting, as well as having to sync my library to their cloud. MapleRead looks intriguing but before buying I thought I'd see if there were other options. Eventually, I'd like to add an e-ink device to the mix. I know this is basically trying to replicate whispersync, but hoping to ween myself off of Amazon. Is this a bridge too far?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Reading progress statistics on other devices	haadi71	KOReader	5	12-25-2024 02:51 PM
New to kobo, imported books progress won't sync across devices	Frousse	Kobo Reader	4	11-14-2024 06:25 PM
Transfer reading progress between devices	yuuta	Devices	3	03-28-2018 01:34 PM
How to Sync Read Progress between kobo devices using calibre?	lambstone	Kobo Reader	9	09-07-2015 11:57 PM
Possible to sync reading progress between devices	kindlenews	Calibre	0	08-18-2013 04:48 PM

03-10-2025, 01:08 AM	#2
MegDreamsofBooks Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 1218912 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Pocketbook InkPad Lite, iPad	I’ll be interested to see if you find anything that does this. I’m trying to accomplish almost the same thing, and I’ve settled on Pocketbook. The iOS app is a little bit buggy, and it doesn’t sync to Calibre, but it syncs between devices and I really like their e-ink readers. The reading progress on all my books is all messed up with the move from Kindle to Calibre and multiple sources, and my Calibre library still needs a lot of work, so syncing PB data back to Calibre hasn’t been a priority yet.

03-11-2025, 12:07 AM	#3
MegDreamsofBooks Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 1218912 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Pocketbook InkPad Lite, iPad	Well, the Pocketbook iOS app bugged out on me one too many times last night, so based on this and the thread below I tried the free Mapleread app to check out the interface. This morning I bought the “collection” of both apps, although I’m not sure I need more than SE. I’m still learning some of the Calibre bits, but even so I’ve managed to hook up my iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPhone all to Calibre OPDS server, download some of my books, and confirm that the reading progress and “Sets” syncs between devices as I’d like it to. Most importantly. . . The app doesn’t crash and go into a totally unusable failure mode for over 2 minutes just because I accidentally let the iPad go to sleep with a book open. So far I’m happy with the way Mapleread works for syncing and Calibre, it’s definitely an improvement over Pocketbook and Kindle for iOS. Plus once I get my Calibre library sorted out (so.many.series.to.fix.) it should be a lot easier to maintain my library of books acquired from multiple (legal) non-Amazon sources.

02-27-2026, 09:33 AM	#5
QuietShelfLife Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2026 Device: iPad	Cross-device reading progress sync is one of the most underrated features. Glad MapleRead worked out for you. The OPDS + Calibre server combo really is the most flexible self-hosted setup — you keep full control of your library and any reader that supports OPDS can tap into it. The main limitation I've hit is that OPDS itself doesn't define a standard for syncing reading position, so each app has to roll its own solution. That's why you end up locked into one reader ecosystem for the sync to actually work across devices.

Today, 07:33 AM	#6
rfog Guru Posts: 706 Karma: 2383546 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Schiedam (The Netherlands) Device: Lots of eInk devices and iOS stuff	I use Kindle, which is available on Windows, macOS, Linux (with an emulator, I think), iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Amazon eInk devices. It syncs across all platforms, even with non-purchased ebooks sent via the email service, keeping books, reading positions, and notes updated through the Amazon platform. I also use FBReader (from FBReader.org). It’s not the most attractive app, but it works on all platforms and syncs books, positions, and notes via the Google platform. While it offers deep customization, it lacks some basic CSS support.

Today, 10:10 AM	#7
The Old Man Fanatic Posts: 592 Karma: 1606817 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Hampshire Device: iPad Mini	rfog, thanks for mentioning FBReader. Looks interesting. I, too,have been using Kindle except for a few books that Send to Kindle wouldn’t except.