Accessing my Calibre library on the iPad (or any other mobile device)

Habakkuk · 06-08-2016, 12:48 AM

I travel a lot and like to have my library available wherever I am so I can choose my next book to read without having to plan it before I depart. As I don't take a laptop with me, only an iPad, it means I must be able to access my library on-line.

The way I have managed this is to have my library stored in the cloud — for me this is Apple's iCloud — or you could use any other service such as Dropbox, as long as it has the ability to be seen as a drive on your computer. Calibre is then set up to store the library in that cloud drive, not on the computer itself.

Now using the relevant cloud server access app, e.g. the iCloud Drive or Dropbox apps, I can see my entire library arranged by author. I just dig down till I find the book I'm after and download it on to my iPad. If it happens to be in .txt format it will load in Pages, but then I can save it as an ePub and read it in iBooks.

Complementary to this I keep an up-to-date catalogue on my iPad which makes searching for a book easier.

Of course I can't add books to the library or edit any metadata, but these activities can wait till I get home. Also storing the library on the cloud means I don't have to worry about losing it if my computer crashes.

theducks · 06-08-2016, 09:21 AM

Content Server for any device with a Web Browser

But wait! There is more

That is easy-peasy for a local (w/WiFi) network: (The sharing Icon): Start the content Server

From outside requires Opening a pinhole in your router and that is a Security Bag-o-worms. Also, the exact way is router dependent and a whole lot of net working stuff.

For Android Devices: Calibre Companion along with a Commercial Cloud like Dropbox (see CC FAQ for supported clouds)

Habakkuk · 06-08-2016, 10:05 AM

When I'm travelling my computer is shut down, so no way of using it as a server.

shalym · 06-10-2016, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habakkuk

When I'm travelling my computer is shut down, so no way of using it as a server.

If you use Calibre Companion with dropbox you don't need to have your computer running. Unfortunately, Calibre Companion only runs on Android. There is an app called Bookmaster that may do what you are looking for in iOS. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=269447

Shari

itimpi · 06-10-2016, 07:52 AM

If you have a library stored in DropBox, then Marvin on iOS can load books directly from DropBox.

tmgplc · 08-09-2016, 01:27 AM

Gerty also allows you to search cloud services such as Dropbox.

BetterRed · 08-09-2016, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shalym

Unfortunately, Calibre Companion only runs on Android.

See ==>> Calibre Companion for iPhone has been started!

BR

06-08-2016, 12:48 AM	#1
Habakkuk Reader Posts: 11 Karma: 228 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle DX	Accessing my Calibre library on the iPad (or any other mobile device) I travel a lot and like to have my library available wherever I am so I can choose my next book to read without having to plan it before I depart. As I don't take a laptop with me, only an iPad, it means I must be able to access my library on-line. The way I have managed this is to have my library stored in the cloud — for me this is Apple's iCloud — or you could use any other service such as Dropbox, as long as it has the ability to be seen as a drive on your computer. Calibre is then set up to store the library in that cloud drive, not on the computer itself. Now using the relevant cloud server access app, e.g. the iCloud Drive or Dropbox apps, I can see my entire library arranged by author. I just dig down till I find the book I'm after and download it on to my iPad. If it happens to be in .txt format it will load in Pages, but then I can save it as an ePub and read it in iBooks. Complementary to this I keep an up-to-date catalogue on my iPad which makes searching for a book easier. Of course I can't add books to the library or edit any metadata, but these activities can wait till I get home. Also storing the library on the cloud means I don't have to worry about losing it if my computer crashes.

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06-08-2016, 09:21 AM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,785 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Content Server for any device with a Web Browser But wait! There is more That is easy-peasy for a local (w/WiFi) network: (The sharing Icon): Start the content Server From outside requires Opening a pinhole in your router and that is a Security Bag-o-worms. Also, the exact way is router dependent and a whole lot of net working stuff. For Android Devices: Calibre Companion along with a Commercial Cloud like Dropbox (see CC FAQ for supported clouds)

06-08-2016, 10:05 AM	#3
Habakkuk Reader Posts: 11 Karma: 228 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle DX	When I'm travelling my computer is shut down, so no way of using it as a server.

06-10-2016, 07:52 AM	#5
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,552 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	If you have a library stored in DropBox, then Marvin on iOS can load books directly from DropBox.

08-09-2016, 01:27 AM	#6
tmgplc Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 12 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Greensboro, NC Device: iPhone 6, iPad Air 2, Kindle Fire 7" (2014)	Gerty also allows you to search cloud services such as Dropbox.

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