Apple Books for Mac Can't Download eBooks/Import .epub files!

[ontheotherhand]

Howdy,

So, I'm trying to import a .epub file into Apple Books but sadly, this doesn't work. I've tried both dragging the .epub file into the library and importing it by going to File->Import...

This issue is with Apple Books Version 4.4 (5177) running on macOS 12.4 on the MacBook Pro M1 Pro. I'm wondering if it's a permissions issue.

 

[0128672]

I wonder if it's the specific file. With Books 4.4 I'm able to import an EPUB I downloaded from Project Gutenberg, which are free (https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?sort_order=release_date). Testing a different EPUB might help to narrow down the issue.

 

[BanditoB]

This should work as long as the ePUB file doesn't have DRM applied. You should also be able to double-click the ePUB file and it should automatically open in the Books app.

Your other options that I've read about are to try using an online conversion tool and convert your original ePUB file to an ePUB file. This has worked for some. Finally, you could download Calibre (free) and convert the ePUB file to a .PDF and then import that into Books. Not as ideal, but as a last resort, it's an option.

 

[b.kind]

I import epubs into Books all the time. Same OS, same version of Books, different hardware.

I suspect DRM.

 

[Fishrrman]

If Books won't import the file, try "Calibre".
It's free.

 

[yansun]

I have the same problem. I used the ibooks/books app to manage my ebooks for years, but since I had to do a reinstall and upgrade to Montery the books app does not add any files in the epub format (no DRM) anymore. It does not matter if I try to drag & drop or use import, nothing happens. This is really annoying.

Edit: Strangely, updating to 12.6 somehow did the trick, epubs can be imported again.

 

[aniix]

A search for the same problem brought me here. I have found a solution for anyone encountering this issue in 2024 and beyond.

1. Rename the ebook (epub) file extension from ".epub" to ".zip"
2. Unzip the new file (from step 1)
3. After unzipping, you may see another epub or a folder structure.
4. If you see another epub in the unzipped folder, you can import it into Books using the import functionality; drag-and-drop may also work.
5. If you see a folder, then rename that folder by adding a ".epub" extension.
6. Import the books (epubs) into Books or drag and drop - whichever works.

These steps did the trick for me, and I hope it helps someone out there.