Apple Books: How to Download and Export Your PDF Files

Can you download PDF from iBooks?

Yes, you can readily download or export PDF files from the Apple Books app, provided they are not protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) and were originally imported into the app as PDF documents.

Understanding Apple Books and PDF Management

Apple Books (formerly iBooks) is primarily known as an e-reader for EPUB format books purchased from the Apple Books Store. However, it also serves as a robust PDF viewer and manager. When you import a PDF file from an external source—such as an email attachment, a website download, or another app—into Apple Books, it becomes part of your Apple Books library. These imported PDFs are treated differently from DRM-protected EPUBs, offering more flexibility for export and sharing.

Methods for Exporting PDFs from Apple Books

For PDFs that you have imported into Apple Books and are not subject to Digital Rights Management, there are several straightforward methods to export or "download" them to other locations or share them with other applications and devices.

Using the Share Sheet

The most common and versatile method involves using the iOS/iPadOS Share Sheet.

1. Open the PDF: Navigate to the PDF you wish to export within the Apple Books app.
2. Tap to Reveal Options: Tap anywhere on the screen to bring up the navigation and option bars.
3. Access the Share Icon: Look for the Share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upwards), typically located in the top menu bar.
4. Choose Your Destination: The Share Sheet will present various options:
   • Save to Files: This allows you to save the PDF directly to your iCloud Drive, another cloud storage service (like Dropbox or Google Drive, if installed), or to the "On My iPhone/iPad" location. Select your desired folder and tap "Save."
   • Email: Choose your mail app to attach the PDF to a new email.
   • AirDrop: If you have a nearby Apple device (Mac, iPhone, iPad) with AirDrop enabled, you can quickly transfer the PDF.
   • Print: While not a direct download, you can "Print to PDF" using the print options, which essentially creates a new PDF that can then be saved or shared.
   • Open In.../Share with other Apps: Send the PDF directly to another app on your device that supports PDF viewing or editing (e.g., GoodNotes, Notability, Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Saving to the Files App Directly

The "Save to Files" option within the Share Sheet is often the most direct way to get a PDF out of Apple Books and into a more universally accessible location on your device or cloud storage. This places the PDF file in a standard file system location, making it easy to manage, back up, or transfer.

Emailing the PDF

For quick sharing or to get the PDF onto a desktop computer, emailing it to yourself or a colleague is an effective method. The PDF will be attached to the email, and you can download it from any device where you access your email.

AirDropping to Another Device

If you are within close proximity to another Apple device, AirDrop provides a seamless and wireless way to transfer the PDF. Once received, the PDF can be opened in Apple Books or another compatible app on the destination device.

Important Considerations

While exporting PDFs from Apple Books is generally straightforward, a few key points are worth noting:

• DRM-Protected Content: PDFs or EPUBs protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) cannot be freely exported or "downloaded" in the same way. Content purchased from the Apple Books Store is typically DRM-protected EPUBs, not standard PDFs, and is locked to your Apple ID and the Apple Books ecosystem.
• Source of the PDF: This export functionality primarily applies to PDFs that you have personally imported into Apple Books. It does not allow you to convert or export purchased EPUBs from the Apple Books Store as PDF files.
• PDFs vs. EPUBs: Remember that most books purchased from the Apple Books Store are in the EPUB format, which is not a PDF. While Apple Books can read both, the methods described here are specifically for files that are already in PDF format within your library.

Conclusion

The Apple Books app provides excellent flexibility for managing and sharing PDF documents that you have imported. By utilizing the Share Sheet, you can easily export your PDFs to the Files app, email them, AirDrop them to other devices, or open them in a variety of other applications. This ensures that your important documents are not locked within the app and can be accessed and utilized across your digital ecosystem.