iPad mini Use old iPad Mini as an eReader?

[jedimasterkyle]

Is there a way to turn my old gen 1 iPad Mini into a kindle-type device? I just wiped and restored it to factory settings but because the software is so old (iOS 9.3.5), I cannot sign into iCloud or the App store on it. I tried updating the software but 9.3.5 is as high as it will go. It is nice to see the old aesthetic though lol.

So I got to thinking that there might be a way to use it as a PDF eReader of sorts without being able to log into the Kindle app or Apple Books.

Any ideas?

 

[Apple_Robert]

AirDrop any book you wanted to read to the Mini.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

AirDrop any book you wanted to read to the Mini.

I just tried that and all it does is send the link to the iPad Mini. It doesn't send the actual book. No option to download it in the iBooks app on the iPad either.

 

[ivhs72]

I just tried that and all it does is send the link to the iPad Mini. It doesn't send the actual book. No option to download it in the iBooks app on the iPad either

Too bad you can't get to the App Store to download any apps. I use my mini mostly for reading.

 

[smooth0906]

I have been using my IPad Mini II for reading Kindle Books and as a night clock with weather readouts. My Mini II is part of my iCloud so any Kindle books that are downloaded via my M2 Pro Laptop, are also viewable on my Mini II. It's a great set-up.

 

[arw]

I cannot sign into iCloud or the App store on it.

Apple just complicated things with 2FA but this is how I even got my iPad 1st gen on iOS 5.1.1 to use iCloud and the App Store:

- On your old device, enter your password WITHOUT pressing OK
- Switch to a current device and manually create a verification code here:
Settings > [your name] > Password & Security > Get Verification Code
- Enter the generated code on your old device directly after your password and then tap OK

By the way, we still use our iPads 1st gen as PDF eBook readers.
I either drag the PDFs to the iPad via iTunes (WiFi or cable) or access a local SMB network share with FileBrowser and open the PDFs with iBooks.

 

[jedimasterkyle]

Apple just complicated things with 2FA but this is how I even got my iPad 1st gen on iOS 5.1.1 to use iCloud and the App Store:

- On your old device, enter your password WITHOUT pressing OK
- Switch to a current device and manually create a verification code here:
Settings > [your name] > Password & Security > Get Verification Code
- Enter the generated code on your old device directly after your password and then tap OK

By the way, we still use our iPads 1st gen as PDF eBook readers.
I either drag the PDFs to the iPad via iTunes (WiFi or cable) or access a local SMB network share with FileBrowser and open the PDFs with iBooks.

Yeah I might have to try that later today. If it doesn't work or if it ends up being a bigger hassle than what it's worth, it's fine. I just figured that it was collecting dust and it's the perfect size to use as an eReader in bed.

The other problem I'm running into is finding books that I want to read that are strictly in PDF format lol. But one thing at a time lol.

 

[Anna54]

Apple just complicated things with 2FA but this is how I even got my iPad 1st gen on iOS 5.1.1 to use iCloud and the App Store:

- On your old device, enter your password WITHOUT pressing OK
- Switch to a current device and manually create a verification code here:
Settings > [your name] > Password & Security > Get Verification Code
- Enter the generated code on your old device directly after your password and then tap OK

By the way, we still use our iPads 1st gen as PDF eBook readers.
I either drag the PDFs to the iPad via iTunes (WiFi or cable) or access a local SMB network share with FileBrowser and open the PDFs with iBooks.

Hi, my iPad 5.1.1 was able to make backups in the iCloud up til 25 August 2024, including my large collection of ePub books and .pdf’s, and the photo gallery. Would your step-by-step explanation make access to iCloud possible again?
It’s great to find people who are knowledgeable about the old iPads.

 

[charlyham]

Yeah I might have to try that later today. If it doesn't work or if it ends up being a bigger hassle than what it's worth, it's fine. I just figured that it was collecting dust and it's the perfect size to use as an eReader in bed.

The other problem I'm running into is finding books that I want to read that are strictly in PDF format lol. But one thing at a time lol.

You can use Calibre E-book manager to convert different e-book formats to another format. It is cross platform so you can use it on Windows, Mac, etc. It is free but you can donate if you want to support them. I have been a user and supporter for years.

 

[mrgreeneyes]

i have an ipad mini 2nd gen i think it has ipad os 12
i want to use it just for books, i find it very slow to open an epub with the apple books, i like to use apple books as it can sync to my iphone and my ipad air. is there any way around the slowness? this is still after doing a fresh install of the ios.

 

[PlayUltimate]

i have an ipad mini 2nd gen i think it has ipad os 12
i want to use it just for books, i find it very slow to open an epub with the apple books, i like to use apple books as it can sync to my iphone and my ipad air. is there any way around the slowness? this is still after doing a fresh install of the ios.

I was just reading a book in Libby on a iPad mini 2. Yes, it is slow. It has an A7 chip (1.3 GHZ) which is the chip that was in the iPhone 5S. I don't know if there is really anything that can be done to speed it up.

 

[klasma]

Is there a way to turn my old gen 1 iPad Mini into a kindle-type device? I just wiped and restored it to factory settings but because the software is so old (iOS 9.3.5), I cannot sign into iCloud or the App store on it. I tried updating the software but 9.3.5 is as high as it will go. It is nice to see the old aesthetic though lol.

So I got to thinking that there might be a way to use it as a PDF eReader of sorts without being able to log into the Kindle app or Apple Books.

Any ideas?

You can read Kindle books with a web browser (https://read.amazon.com/), that would be worth a try.

 

[Neodym]

As a somewhat different point of view: Since the Kindle Scribe is available, I see no reason to jump through hoops to read books on an inferior screen like the iPad (mini). Before the Scribe was introduced, you could at least still argue with screen size.

Alternatively, you could try to make the iPad a picture frame (think I read somewhere that iPads note when being charged permanently and switch to a kind of „kiosk mode“ to save the battery).

I do understand, however, that the price of the Kindle Scribe can be prohibitive for less enthusiastic book readers.

 

[PlayUltimate]

As a somewhat different point of view: Since the Kindle Scribe is available, I see no reason to jump through hoops to read books on an inferior screen like the iPad (mini). Before the Scribe was introduced, you could at least still argue with screen size.

But for the price, one could get an iPad 9/10. (BTW, like the Scribe selling a battery-free pen. Isn't that just a stylus? )

 

[rui no onna]

As a somewhat different point of view: Since the Kindle Scribe is available, I see no reason to jump through hoops to read books on an inferior screen like the iPad (mini). Before the Scribe was introduced, you could at least still argue with screen size.

Alternatively, you could try to make the iPad a picture frame (think I read somewhere that iPads note when being charged permanently and switch to a kind of „kiosk mode“ to save the battery).

I do understand, however, that the price of the Kindle Scribe can be prohibitive for less enthusiastic book readers.

I have plenty of Kindles and a couple of Kobos but I don't think I'd want to read on the Scribe. Way too big for me unless it's for textbooks and PDFs.

Another thing, Kindles are fine if you get all your books from Amazon. Less so if you use multiple sources. Loading non-Amazon Kindle books poses enough friction that I barely use my Kindle nowadays. Pretty much the only time I use my Kindle is during long haul flights or when near water which is usually when I'm in bright sunlight, too. I just need to remember to load the Kindle up via Calibre before trips. Granted, I do have my favorites stored on it permanently so I can always re-read those in case I forget.

 

[Neodym]

I have plenty of Kindles and a couple of Kobos but I don't think I'd want to read on the Scribe. Way too big for me unless it's for textbooks and PDFs.

For me it’s different: The scribe is what I have been waiting for. My eyes are getting older and on the Scribe I can use a bigger font, without having to turn the page after a sentence or two (exaggerated). So I accept the trade off of a bigger/heavier device for better read- and usability.

Not to forget that I can leave the Scribe online 24/7 and it barely loses battery charge, whereas my Oasis (3rd gen) and all others before it would run out of battery in a few days if I didn’t switch them to flight mode. It’s really a game changer to have the internet available at any given point in time.

The notably faster UI is just the icing on the cake then.

Another thing, Kindles are fine if you get all your books from Amazon. Less so if you use multiple sources. Loading non-Amazon Kindle books poses enough friction that I barely use my Kindle nowadays. Pretty much the only time I use my Kindle is during long haul flights or when near water which is usually when I'm in bright sunlight, too. I just need to remember to load the Kindle up via Calibre before trips. Granted, I do have my favorites stored on it permanently so I can always re-read those in case I forget.

I see it as horses for courses: If I just want to read a book (and time is at a premium at this point of my life, so I can’t read as much as I did in the past), an eInk device is my goto-tool.

And as it is always a pita having to coordinate multiple sources, I have no issues to stick to Amazon simply for convenience reasons (why should I not do on an eInk device what I’m doing already with my notebook/tablet/smartphone device - paying a premium to the vendor/maker mainly for convenience reasons and using a well-integrated ecosystem?!).

But for the price, one could get an iPad 9/10.

The iPad surely is more universal, but the better device for pure reading is an eInk device. Like - you can hammer in a nail with any sufficiently big and robust tool like e.g. pincers or even a simple stone. But a dedicated hammer is designed for that task and gives a better user experience.

(BTW, like the Scribe selling a battery-free pen. Isn't that just a stylus? )

It's without a battery afaik, but working fine for note taking. Even has a mechanical button for an alternative behavior (e.g. erasing).

 

[rui no onna]

I see it as horses for courses: If I just want to read a book (and time is at a premium at this point of my life, so I can’t read as much as I did in the past), an eInk device is my goto-tool.

And as it is always a pita having to coordinate multiple sources, I have no issues to stick to Amazon simply for convenience reasons (why should I not do on an eInk device what I’m doing already with my notebook/tablet/smartphone device - paying a premium to the vendor/maker mainly for convenience reasons and using a well-integrated ecosystem?!).

Some of the stuff I read simply isn't available on Amazon. Plus the (almost) desktop level web browser and app selection on the iPad makes it very easy to download content on the fly be it from Kindle, Kobo, Libby, Humble Bundle, etc. I have a cellular iPad so no fussing around with the phone hotspot either when I want to buy/download a new/unread book while on a road trip.

The iPad surely is more universal, but the better device for pure reading is an eInk device. Like - you can hammer in a nail with any sufficiently big and robust tool like e.g. pincers or even a simple stone. But a dedicated hammer is designed for that task and gives a better user experience.

E-ink is more comfortable to the eyes for me, sure. As for user experience, I think there's a lot Amazon can improve there particularly when it comes to library organization and browsing. Plus iPad is better for reading color comics and magazines.