How to Read EPUB Files on Mac and iPhone (Same Library, All Devices)

You have a Mac on your desk and an iPhone in your pocket. You want to read the same books on both. You want your reading position to follow you. You do not want to manually copy files between devices every time you add a new book.

This should be simple. Apple makes both devices. iCloud exists. But in practice, getting a synced ebook library working across Mac and iPhone requires choosing the right tools and knowing the limitations of each option.

Here is how to set it up, from the easiest approach to the most manual.

Option 1: BookShelves (Easiest Cross-Device Setup)

BookShelves is built specifically for this use case: one ebook library that works on Mac, iPhone, and iPad with automatic sync.

How it works:

1. Install BookShelves on your Mac from the Mac App Store and on your iPhone from the App Store.
2. Import your books on either device. Drag EPUBs into the BookShelves window on your Mac, or use the Files app share sheet on your iPhone.
3. Books sync automatically. Your entire library, including reading positions, bookmarks, and highlights, syncs via iCloud. No manual file transfers needed.

What syncs:

• Books (the actual EPUB/PDF/MOBI files)
• Reading position (close on Mac, continue on iPhone)
• Bookmarks
• Highlights and notes (multi-color, with text)
• Library organization (shelves, read status)

Formats supported: EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW, AZW3, FB2, CBZ, CBR, CB7. MOBI and AZW files auto-convert to EPUB on import. All formats sync between devices.

Free tier: 10 books, full reading features, no ads. Pro upgrade ($6.99 one-time, covers all devices) removes the book limit and enables iCloud sync, highlight export, and the OPDS server.

BookShelves also has a built-in Discover tab with access to 1.5 million+ free public domain books from Standard Ebooks, Internet Archive, and more. Download on your Mac, read on your iPhone.

One library across Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Import once, read everywhere. iCloud keeps your books, position, and highlights in sync.

Option 2: Apple Books (Built-in, but Unreliable for Sideloaded Books)

Apple Books comes pre-installed on both macOS and iOS. It syncs via iCloud, and for books purchased from the Apple Book Store, it works reliably.

For store purchases: Buy a book on your Mac, it appears on your iPhone. Reading position syncs. Simple.

For sideloaded EPUBs: This is where Apple Books gets frustrating.

• Importing sideloaded EPUBs into Apple Books on Mac works most of the time, but the book may not appear on your iPhone
• Cover art and metadata often get dropped during import
• Some EPUBs import successfully on Mac but show as “unavailable” on iPhone
• There is no way to bulk-import or organize a large collection efficiently
• No support for MOBI, AZW, FB2, or comic book formats

Apple Books handles EPUB and PDF only. If your library includes Kindle files (MOBI, AZW) or comics (CBZ, CBR), you need a different app for those formats.

Best for: People who buy exclusively from the Apple Book Store and rarely sideload files.

Option 3: iCloud Drive (Manual, but Universal)

If you want to manage files yourself, iCloud Drive works as a manual sync layer.

How to set it up:

1. Create a folder in iCloud Drive (e.g., iCloud Drive/Books/)
2. Copy your EPUB files into that folder from your Mac
3. On your iPhone, open the Files app and navigate to your Books folder
4. Tap any EPUB to open it in your reader app of choice

Advantages:

• Works with any reader app
• You control the file organization
• No app-specific lock-in

Disadvantages:

• Reading position does not sync (each device starts from the beginning)
• No highlight or bookmark sync
• You have to open each file manually on each device
• File management is entirely on you
• Large libraries become unwieldy in the Files app

iCloud Drive is a file sync service, not a reading sync service. It keeps your files accessible everywhere, but it does not understand what you are reading or where you stopped.

Option 4: AirDrop (One-Off Transfers)

For sending a single EPUB from your Mac to your iPhone:

1. Right-click the .epub file on your Mac
2. Select Share > AirDrop
3. Choose your iPhone
4. On your iPhone, tap the notification and choose Open in BookShelves (or your preferred reader)

AirDrop is fast and simple for individual files, but it is a transfer, not a sync. The book exists independently on each device. If you add highlights on your iPhone, they will not appear on your Mac.

Best for: Sending one or two books to your phone. Not practical for maintaining a library.

Option 5: Calibre + Manual Transfer

Calibre is the power tool for ebook management on desktop. It handles format conversion, metadata editing, and library organization better than anything else.

The workflow:

1. Manage your library in Calibre on your Mac
2. Convert formats as needed (MOBI to EPUB, FB2 to EPUB, etc.)
3. Transfer books to your iPhone via:
   • Calibre’s built-in content server (access via Safari on your phone)
   • BookShelves’ Calibre wireless sync (connects directly from your iPhone over WiFi)
   • Manual export to iCloud Drive

Advantages:

• Most powerful library management and format conversion
• Handles every ebook format
• Metadata editing and bulk operations

Disadvantages:

• Desktop-only (no iOS app)
• No automatic sync to iPhone
• Transfer workflow requires extra steps
• No reading position sync between devices

Calibre excels at library management but does not solve the cross-device reading problem on its own. Pairing it with BookShelves gives you Calibre’s organization power with BookShelves’ cross-device sync: manage in Calibre, import into BookShelves via wireless sync, and read on any Apple device.

Comparison: Cross-Device EPUB Options

What About Kindle Books?

If your library includes Kindle-format files (MOBI, AZW, AZW3), your options narrow. Apple Books cannot open them. Most third-party readers cannot either.

BookShelves auto-converts MOBI, AZW, and AZW3 files to EPUB on import. Drop a Kindle file on your Mac and it becomes a readable, syncable book across all your devices. No separate conversion step needed.

Note: This only works for DRM-free Kindle files. Books purchased from Amazon with DRM can only be read in the Kindle app.

Recommendation

For most people who want a synced ebook library across Mac and iPhone, the simplest path is:

1. Install BookShelves on both devices
2. Import your books on whichever device is convenient
3. Read anywhere with automatic position and highlight sync

If you have a large, well-organized Calibre library, the combination of Calibre (for management) plus BookShelves (for reading and sync) gives you the best of both worlds.

If you only read books from Apple’s store, Apple Books works fine and is already installed.

Related Guides

• How to Read EPUB Files on Mac - in-depth macOS guide
• How to Read EPUB Files on iPhone and iPad - in-depth iOS guide
• Best EPUB Reader for iPhone and iPad - six iOS readers compared
• Best eBook Readers for Mac - six macOS readers compared
• KOReader Calibre Sync with BookShelves - setting up Calibre wireless sync