Apple Books guide for authors who want to reach iPhone and iPad readers
Apple Books is the ebook and audiobook store built into Apple devices. This guide covers who should publish there and how to prepare.
What Apple Books is
Apple Books sells ebooks and audiobooks to readers on iPhone, iPad and Mac. You can publish to it directly through Apple's tools for authors, or through a distributor that supplies it for you.
Reach is strongest in countries where Apple devices are common. Check which territories the store covers for your account before you plan a launch.
Who it suits
- Authors whose readers use iPhone and iPad
- Authors who want a store with strong layout support for ebooks
- Authors who want to place audiobooks in an Apple store
- Authors who prefer to publish direct rather than through an aggregator
What to prepare before you upload
- A valid EPUB ebook file that passes validation
- A cover that meets the store's image rules
- An ISBN, if your plan or the store calls for one
- Metadata and a description that match your other platforms
- Banking and tax details ready for the payment set-up
- Clear rights for any images and fonts
Things to weigh up
- Direct publishing needs an Apple account and its tools, so check what your computer can run
- An aggregator is simpler but takes a share of each sale
- Pre-orders and promotional tools differ between direct and aggregator routes
- Rates and rules change, so confirm them in your Apple account
Free tools for Apple Books
Each tool runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is uploaded. Results are planning estimates, so confirm the final figure on Apple Books itself.
- Book Description BuilderWrite a clean description that reads well in the store.
- Metadata Manager & CheckerKeep title, series and keywords the same across stores.
- Multi-Platform Sales DashboardBring Apple sales together with other platforms.
Common questions
Do I need a Mac to publish on Apple Books?
Apple has offered more than one route, including web-based tools. Check Apple's current author pages to see which route fits your computer.
Can I publish through a distributor instead?
Yes. Aggregators such as Draft2Digital can supply Apple Books for you. You give up a share of each sale in return for less set-up work.
Does Apple Books require exclusivity?
Apple does not ask for exclusivity. Check the terms of other programmes, such as KDP Select, which do.
Official pages
Disclaimer. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Platform terms, fees and rules change, so confirm them on Apple Books's own pages before you publish. Book Recommendations is independent and is not affiliated with Apple Books. See the full disclaimer and our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.