How to read EPUB on iPhone
Wondering how to read EPUB on iPhone? You do not need to buy anything or convert the file. iOS has supported the EPUB format for years.
There are three reliable ways to open a .epub book on an iPhone or iPad: Apple Books, a web reader in Safari, or a third-party reading app. This guide walks through each one and explains when to pick which.
Option 1: Open the EPUB in Apple Books
Apple Books is pre-installed on every iPhone and reads DRM-free EPUB files natively. It is the best choice if you want the book to sync to your iPad and Mac through iCloud.
- Get the file onto the phone. If you downloaded it in Safari, it is in the Files app under Downloads. If it arrived by email, AirDrop or a messaging app, tap the attachment first.
- Tap the
.epubfile. iOS normally opens it in Books straight away. - If a preview opens instead, tap the Share icon and choose Books (sometimes shown as Copy to Books).
- Start reading. The book is added to your library and opens at the first page. Your position, highlights and bookmarks sync to other devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
If you have deleted Books, reinstall it for free from the App Store. The .epub file will open in it again.
Option 2: Read it in Safari without installing anything
Sometimes you only want to read a book once, or you are on a work phone where you cannot install apps. In that case an online reader is the fastest route. EPUB Reader Online runs entirely inside Safari.
- Open epubreaderonline.com in Safari.
- Tap Upload EPUB and pick the file from the Files app.
- The book opens with a table of contents. Swipe or use the arrow buttons to move between chapters, and use A− / A+ to change the text size.
The file is unpacked by JavaScript on your phone and is never uploaded. That makes it suitable for private documents as well as books.
Your reading position is remembered in Safari. Reopening the same file later takes you back to where you stopped.
Option 3: Use a third-party reading app
Dedicated reader apps make sense when you have a large library or want features Books lacks, such as custom fonts, sync with a desktop app or reading statistics. Popular free choices in the App Store include Kindle (via Send to Kindle, which now accepts EPUB), Google Play Books and Kobo.
Each app has an import or upload option. Once the book is inside the app it works like any other title.
One caveat: a few apps only accept books bought in their own store. Check that the app lists "import EPUB" or "open files" before you rely on it.
Which option should you choose?
- Apple Books – best everyday choice; syncs across Apple devices.
- Safari web reader – quickest for a one-off read or a phone where you cannot install apps; nothing is stored on a server.
- Third-party app – best if you already keep your library somewhere else, such as Kindle or Kobo.
Troubleshooting
The file will not open in Books. It is probably DRM-protected. Books bought from most stores are locked to that store's app, and no iPhone reader can open them.
The file ends in .acsm. That is an Adobe DRM licence, not a book. It cannot be read directly on an iPhone.
Safari downloaded the file but I cannot find it. Open the Files app, tap Browse, then Downloads.
The text is tiny or the layout looks wrong. Most EPUBs reflow to fit the screen, so increase the font size in the reader. A few fixed-layout EPUBs (comics, picture books) are designed for tablets and look cramped on a phone, which is normal.
Frequently asked questions
Can an iPhone open EPUB files without an app?
Yes. Open epubreaderonline.com in Safari, tap Upload EPUB and choose the file. The book is rendered in the browser and nothing is installed or uploaded.
Does Apple Books read EPUB?
Yes. Apple Books opens DRM-free EPUB files directly. Tap the file in the Files app, or use the Share sheet and choose Books.
Can I read a Kindle book as an EPUB on iPhone?
Not directly: Kindle books use Amazon's own format. The other way round works, though: Send to Kindle accepts EPUB files, so you can read EPUBs in the Kindle app.