How to Transfer a Book from Google Play Books to iBooks

Are you looking for a way to transfer a book from Google Play Books to iBooks? If so, you're in the right place! Although there isn't a direct transfer option available from Google Play Books to iBooks, you can still transfer your books by following a few simple steps. Here's how you can do it:

Download the Book from Google Play Books

To start, you need to download the book you want to transfer from Google Play Books. Follow these steps:

Open Google Play Books on your computer. Go to your library and find the book you want to transfer. Click on the three dots more options next to the book title and select download.

Transfer the Book to Your iOS Device

Once the book has been downloaded, you can transfer it to your iOS device using one of the following methods:

Method 1: iCloud Drive

If you have iCloud Drive enabled on your iOS device:

Upload the file to iCloud Drive from your computer. On your iOS device, open the Files app. Locate the file in iCloud Drive and tap it to open. Tap Open in and choose Books.

Method 2: Email

To email the file to yourself:

On your computer, open a new email and attach the downloaded file. Send the email to yourself. Open the email on your iOS device and tap the attachment to open it. Tap Open in and choose Books.

Method 3: AirDrop

If you have a Mac and an iOS device:

On your Mac, open the file in a file manager such as Finder. Select the file and use the AirDrop function to send it to your iOS device. On your iOS device, accept the file from the recipient. Tap the file in the Files app to open it. Tap Open in and choose Books.

Open the Book in iBooks (Apple Books)

After the file is on your iOS device, you can open it using the Files app or your email app:

Tap the file and choose Open in and select Books. The book will then be added to your Apple Books library.

Important Notes:

DRM Protection:

Some books purchased from Google Play may have Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection, which can prevent you from downloading them in a transferable format. In such cases, you may not be able to transfer those books.

File Format:

Ensure that the book is in a compatible format like EPUB or PDF for it to be opened in Apple Books.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully transfer your books from Google Play Books to iBooks.

Publishers and Interoperability:

Google Play eBooks are typically protected with Adobe DRM, and they use your Google ID to encrypt them rather than requiring you to create a separate Adobe ID. This makes it simpler for users but restricts you to using the Google Books app. Apple iBooks can open EPUB and PDF files but does not support Adobe’s DRM encryption, so it will import the file but won’t be able to open it. This lack of interoperability is a common issue, and it's why some users turn to third-party solutions like Nimbooks for better eBook management.

There are some answers suggesting methods to remove DRM and ease the transfer process, but please be aware that doing so is illegal in most countries. It's important to make an informed decision based on the legal implications.