Why is Apple books so buggy on Mac?

Apple Books on Mac has occasionally been reported as buggy by users, citing issues such as crashes, slow performance, syncing problems, and glitches with annotations or navigation. These bugs can stem from various reasons related to software, system compatibility, or user environment. Here’s a breakdown of why Apple Books may appear buggy on macOS and potential solutions:

Reasons Why Apple Books Might Be Buggy

1. Software Bugs in macOS or Apple Books

Apple Books is integrated into macOS, and bugs in either the app or the operating system can cause issues.
Updates sometimes introduce new bugs or fail to resolve existing ones, especially with complex features like syncing and eBook formatting.

2. iCloud Syncing Issues

Syncing books, annotations, or progress across devices can sometimes cause delays or errors.
If iCloud syncing is interrupted or fails, you might experience missing books, slow updates, or repeated crashes.

3. Incompatible or Corrupted eBooks

eBooks in non-standard formats or those converted from other formats might not render correctly, leading to glitches.
DRM-protected content could cause performance issues if authentication fails.

4. Performance Limitations

If your Mac is running low on system resources (CPU, memory, or disk space), Apple Books might slow down, especially with large libraries or resource-heavy books like PDFs with images.

5. Cache or Temporary File Corruption

Apple Books stores data in cache files for faster performance. If these files become corrupted, the app may behave unpredictably.

6. Outdated App or macOS Version

Using an outdated version of macOS or Apple Books can lead to bugs, as newer features or fixes might not be present.

7. Background Apps or Conflicts

Other running apps or processes might interfere with Apple Books, especially apps that interact with PDFs, eBooks, or screen readers.

8. Poor Optimization for Certain Formats

Apple Books is well-optimized for standard EPUB and PDF formats, but it may struggle with custom layouts, interactive content, or large file sizes.

How to Fix Bugs in Apple Books on Mac

1. Update macOS

Go to System Settings > General > Software Update to check for macOS updates.
Updates often include fixes for app bugs, including Apple Books.

2. Restart Apple Books

Close and reopen the app to clear temporary glitches.
Use Command + Option + Esc, select Apple Books, and click Force Quit if it’s unresponsive.

3. Check iCloud Settings

Ensure iCloud syncing is enabled for Apple Books:
- Go to System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and toggle Books on.
Sign out and back into iCloud if syncing issues persist.

4. Clear Apple Books Cache

Clear cache files to resolve potential corruption:
1. Go to Finder and click Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter: ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.BKAgentService/Data/Documents/iBooks.
3. Delete temporary files but back up any important data first.

5. Repair or Re-add eBooks

Remove the problematic book from your library and re-download it:
- Right-click the book and choose Delete or Remove Download.
- Re-download it from your purchase history or re-add it to your library.

6. Optimize System Performance

Close unnecessary apps to free up system resources.
Ensure your Mac has sufficient free disk space (at least 10–15% of total storage).

7. Reset Apple Books

If the app remains buggy, consider resetting it:
- Navigate to ~/Library/Containers in Finder.
- Locate the folder com.apple.BKAgentService and move it to the Trash.
- Restart your Mac and reopen Apple Books.

8. Use Alternative Readers for Specific Files

For non-standard or large files, consider using other eBook readers or PDF viewers like Adobe Acrobat Reader or Calibre for better performance.

FAQs

1. Why does Apple Books crash when I open certain files?

The file may be corrupted or in an incompatible format. Try converting it to a standard EPUB or PDF using tools like Calibre.

2. Why isn’t my progress syncing across devices?

Ensure all devices are signed in to the same Apple ID and iCloud syncing is enabled for Books.
Restart the app on all devices to force a sync.

3. Can I reinstall Apple Books?

Apple Books is a built-in macOS app and cannot be uninstalled. However, you can reset it by clearing its data (see Step 7).

4. Why is Apple Books slow with large PDFs?

PDFs with high-resolution images or interactive elements can be resource-intensive. Use optimized PDF versions or a dedicated PDF viewer.

5. Are there better alternatives to Apple Books on Mac?

Alternatives like Calibre, Kindle for Mac, or Adobe Acrobat Reader may offer better performance for certain file types or features.

Conclusion

Apple Books on Mac can occasionally feel buggy due to syncing problems, resource limitations, or file compatibility issues. Regular updates, clearing caches, and optimizing system performance can help address these issues. For persistent problems, alternative apps may provide a better experience for specific use cases.

Stay patient and enjoy your reading!