iTunes: About Books

Summary

With the latest version of iTunes, you can browse and buy books from the iBookstore on your computer and on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Products Affected

iBooks, iTunes, iTunes Store

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Browsing and buying iBookstore books on your computer

In order to browse and buy books on your computer, you'll need to have the latest version of iTunes installed. Books you purchase on a computer must be read with the iBooks app on an iOS device. Learn more about Books availability in your country.

You can access Books by opening the iTunes Store in iTunes. Then, click Books from the top navigation bar in the iTunes Store.

iTunes navigation bar

You can browse by categories or search for your favorite books by title or author using the search function in the upper-right. Click on the category selector from the QUICK LINKS section to browse by category.
 
Books menu
 
Buying and downloading books on your computer
When you find a book you like, you can purchase the book and either sync it from your iTunes library to an iOS device, or have it sent automatically from your computer to your iOS device to enjoy it. You can also send samples to your iOS device. To send the book or sample to your device, you must have iBooks 1.2.2 or later installed, and have Automatic Downloads enabled on your iOS device.  When you send a sample or book, the content will be downloaded to your enabled iOS device with Internet access. Books you purchase on your computer will download to your iOS device as well as your computer, but you may only read them on your iOS device. To enable Automatic Downloads, you must have iOS 4.3.3 or later installed on your iOS device; Automatic Downloads are not compatible with iPhone 4 (CDMA Model). For more information about Automatic Downloads, see iTunes Store: How to enable Automatic Downloads.
 
get sample button
 
Note: Books are only readable on iOS devices that have a compatible version of the iBooks app installed.

iBookstore on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

In order to browse the Top Authors in the iBookstore on your iOS device, you must have the iBooks app installed. You can download the iBooks app for free from the App Store. To browse by author in the iBookstore:
  1. Open the iBooks app.
  2. When your bookshelf appears, tap the Store button in the upper corner.
    iBookstore button
  3. Tap Top Authors from the bottom navigation bar to browse by Top Authors.
    iBooks top authors button
  4. You can also view featured books as well as books available on the New York Times bestseller lists (United States only). Tap a book to view more details or download a free sample. When you buy a book, the book will automatically appear on your iBooks bookshelf.
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