Apple Books Not Working on iPhone XS Max? Here’s How to Fix It

If Apple Books (formerly iBooks) won’t open, load content, or keeps crashing on your iPhone XS Max, you’re not alone. iOS 12 gave the app a slick new redesign, but bugs and syncing issues can still pop up. Whether Books isn’t syncing your library, won’t open at all, or just freezes, here are several ways to get it working again.

1. Check Apple’s System Status Page

Before diving into phone settings, visit Apple’s System Status page to make sure the Books service isn’t down. If the servers are having problems, you’ll need to wait it out.

Also, make sure your iPhone has a stable internet connection—Books needs Wi-Fi or cellular data to load your library.

2. Sign Out of iCloud, Then Sign Back In

Books is tightly linked to your Apple ID. Logging out and back in can reset syncing issues:

Go to Settings > [Your Name].
Scroll down and tap Sign Out.
Enter your Apple ID password, then choose what data you want to keep.
Confirm and sign out, then restart your iPhone.
Once it reboots, go back to Settings and sign back in.

Open the Books app and see if your library loads correctly.

3. Check Screen Time Restrictions

If Books or the Book Store won’t load, it might be restricted:

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Tap Allowed Apps.
Make sure Books or Book Store is allowed (switch should be ON).
Back out and restart the Books app.

4. Reset All Settings

Tweaking settings can sometimes break app behavior. This reset keeps your data but restores system defaults:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Tap Reset All Settings.
Enter your passcode and confirm.

Your phone will reboot. Reconnect to Wi-Fi and check if Apple Books works properly again.

5. Set Date & Time to Automatic

Incorrect time settings can block access to Apple services:

Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
Turn on Set Automatically.
Restart your phone and try opening Books again.

6. Update iOS

Buggy iOS builds can mess with app performance. Check for updates:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

No update? You can also reinstall the app itself from the App Store if it’s been deleted.

7. Use iTunes or Finder to Update iOS (Optional)

If OTA updates don’t work, try updating through a computer:

Connect your iPhone XS Max via Lightning cable.
Open iTunes or Finder (macOS Catalina or later).
Select your iPhone > click Check for Update > then Download and Update.

8. Still Not Working? Try a Full Restore

If Apple Books still doesn’t work after all this, consider a full restore using Recovery Mode or DFU Mode. This is only necessary for deep system corruption—and should be your last resort.

Make sure to back up your data before doing this.

9. Contact Apple Support

If nothing else works, reach out to Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. There may be an account-specific or device-level issue they can help with directly.