How to: transfer FROM iBooks TO Calibre?

EdStout · 02-23-2014, 09:11 PM

I know how to go the other way 'round (just drag), but how do I transfer an Apple-purchased book (for example) from iBooks to Calibre? I like to use Calibre as my central repository for all my eBooks, and I use it as a bridge to GoodReads, which I use as my central repository for all my books (e- and otherwise).

iBooks seems to ignore outbound drags to Calibre. And I haven't had any luck dragging the source .epub folder/book from the iBooks/Books folder to Calibre, or adding it directly from there (probably because it's a folder and not a file?).

Any ideas, folks?
Ed

eschwartz · 02-23-2014, 10:56 PM

Give up and don't buy ebooks from Apple ever again?

You seem to have hit on the problem.

Apple doesn't like letting anyone else get their hands on the content they sell. It's by far the most locked down ecosystem in every respect.

itimpi · 02-24-2014, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdStout

I know how to go the other way 'round (just drag), but how do I transfer an Apple-purchased book (for example) from iBooks to Calibre? I like to use Calibre as my central repository for all my eBooks, and I use it as a bridge to GoodReads, which I use as my central repository for all my books (e- and otherwise).

iBooks seems to ignore outbound drags to Calibre. And I haven't had any luck dragging the source .epub folder/book from the iBooks/Books folder to Calibre, or adding it directly from there (probably because it's a folder and not a file?).

Any ideas, folks?
Ed

Unfortunately this is not currently possible. Apple provides no way to directly address the books on an iDevice, and the current calibre facility to transfer books via iTunes is one-way (to the iPad device).

BetterRed · 02-24-2014, 04:41 AM

Lord Alfred Tennyson put it this way - Come into the garden Maud

If only one could... write a poem like that.

BR

EdStout · 02-25-2014, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itimpi

Unfortunately this is not currently possible. Apple provides no way to directly address the books on an iDevice, and the current calibre facility to transfer books via iTunes is one-way (to the iPad device).

Yeah, I guess you're right. Luckily, I only have a small number of books purchased from Apple. I'll just have to get another copy of those by other means, so I can keep my Calibre/GoodReads obsessions happy.

Thanks,
Ed

JMikeD · 02-26-2014, 03:19 PM

Several years ago, I found a program that would allow you to open your device backups made by iTunes and copy items out of it, including ebooks. You might look around and see if such a thing is still around. I think the one I used was called iPhone Backup Extractor. I've pretty much moved to the Android OS since, so I can't say if it is still available.

EdStout · 02-27-2014, 09:28 PM

I think I found a (partial) solution!

If you drag a book from the iBooks window to a folder in the Finder, it creates a properly named .epub file there, which you can then drag directly to Calibre!

For DRM-free books, that's all that's required. DRM'ed ebooks are still beyond me, at the moment, but at least both kinds will show up in Calibre! And I can use the GoodReads plug-in to track the books on GoodReads as well!

Hope that helps someone else.
Ed

Tisha4870 · 02-28-2014, 09:13 AM

I used an extractor (possibly the Backup Extractor, but not sure) to get the books off my 4s but I couldn't access any of the DRM'ed books. At the time I had a Dell tablet and found it ridiculous the amount of money I paid for all the books through Apple and I didn't really have access to them outside of my phone.

HLS · 02-04-2019, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdStout

I think I found a (partial) solution!

If you drag a book from the iBooks window to a folder in the Finder, it creates a properly named .epub file there, which you can then drag directly to Calibre!

For DRM-free books, that's all that's required. DRM'ed ebooks are still beyond me, at the moment, but at least both kinds will show up in Calibre! And I can use the GoodReads plug-in to track the books on GoodReads as well!

Hope that helps someone else.
Ed

Whats a folder in a finder?

ilovejedd · 02-04-2019, 09:04 PM

Finder is the name of the file manager (e.g. Windows Explorer) in Macs. Anyway, there's no iBooks for Windows and Apple removed books support from iTunes a while back.

02-23-2014, 09:11 PM	#1
EdStout Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: Mac, iPad	How to: transfer FROM iBooks TO Calibre? I know how to go the other way 'round (just drag), but how do I transfer an Apple-purchased book (for example) from iBooks to Calibre? I like to use Calibre as my central repository for all my eBooks, and I use it as a bridge to GoodReads, which I use as my central repository for all my books (e- and otherwise). iBooks seems to ignore outbound drags to Calibre. And I haven't had any luck dragging the source .epub folder/book from the iBooks/Books folder to Calibre, or adding it directly from there (probably because it's a folder and not a file?). Any ideas, folks? Ed

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How long for Calibre and iBooks	leebase	General Discussions	6	02-01-2012 08:38 PM
Free (Nook/Kindle/iBooks/Kobo/Sony) Transfer of Power [CIA Political Thriller]	ATDrake	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	8	12-29-2011 11:40 AM
Ipad to PC transfer of IBooks	fasted	Devices	1	10-11-2011 02:55 AM

02-23-2014, 10:56 PM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Give up and don't buy ebooks from Apple ever again? You seem to have hit on the problem. Apple doesn't like letting anyone else get their hands on the content they sell. It's by far the most locked down ecosystem in every respect.

02-24-2014, 04:41 AM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 20,544 Karma: 26954694 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Lord Alfred Tennyson put it this way - Come into the garden Maud If only one could... write a poem like that. BR

02-26-2014, 03:19 PM	#6
JMikeD Evangelist Posts: 473 Karma: 15000 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Various and sundry	Several years ago, I found a program that would allow you to open your device backups made by iTunes and copy items out of it, including ebooks. You might look around and see if such a thing is still around. I think the one I used was called iPhone Backup Extractor. I've pretty much moved to the Android OS since, so I can't say if it is still available.

02-27-2014, 09:28 PM	#7
EdStout Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: Mac, iPad	I think I found a (partial) solution! If you drag a book from the iBooks window to a folder in the Finder, it creates a properly named .epub file there, which you can then drag directly to Calibre! For DRM-free books, that's all that's required. DRM'ed ebooks are still beyond me, at the moment, but at least both kinds will show up in Calibre! And I can use the GoodReads plug-in to track the books on GoodReads as well! Hope that helps someone else. Ed

02-28-2014, 09:13 AM	#8
Tisha4870 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2014 Device: iPhone 5S, iPad Air	I used an extractor (possibly the Backup Extractor, but not sure) to get the books off my 4s but I couldn't access any of the DRM'ed books. At the time I had a Dell tablet and found it ridiculous the amount of money I paid for all the books through Apple and I didn't really have access to them outside of my phone.

02-04-2019, 09:04 PM	#10
ilovejedd hopeless n00b Posts: 5,111 Karma: 19597086 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: in the middle of nowhere Device: PW4, PW3, Libra H2O, iPad 10.5, iPad 11, iPad 12.9	Finder is the name of the file manager (e.g. Windows Explorer) in Macs. Anyway, there's no iBooks for Windows and Apple removed books support from iTunes a while back.

Advert

Advert