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helpmeapplepleasethx
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Books purchased from Apple have disappeared from icloud library

I wanted to re-read some of my e-books in my library which I had previously bought from Apple. Now I am being told I need to purchase them. Again. I just clicked on one of the books I already had to see if there was some mistake, but did get charged. What’s going on? Should I consider my decent-sized apple library lost? I’m using my iphone and have iOS 26.7.1

Posted on Oct 15, 2026 4:45 PM

5 replies

picas
User level: Level 7 (21,779 points)

Oct 15, 2026 4:55 PM in response to helpmeapplepleasethx

It's possible that the book you previously purchased has been removed from the Books Store and replaced with a different release. You should check if your purchased book has been inadvertently hidden:


How to unhide books and audiobooks on your iPhone or iPad:

Open the Apple Books app.

Tap Home.

Tap the Sign In button or your photo, then tap Manage Hidden Purchases.

If prompted, sign in to your Apple Account.

Next to the item, tap Unhide.

MrHoffman
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)

Oct 15, 2026 5:26 PM in response to helpmeapplepleasethx

Are you looking in your library first for the books, or are you looking first in the Apple Book Store.


When publishers and authors shuffle books around, the books shown in the store can require purchase, but the books already in your Books app library can be re-downloaded for free. If you go from the Books app book itself to the store page (“view in store”) for that book (and not via the main page of the book store), you can get a “runt” book storage page showing minimal info and basically unavailable. But you can re-download the book.


Also confirm you’re on the correct Apple Account, as the purchased books are all tied to the account.


Here’s an example of a “runt” store page for a no-longer-available book:

helpmeapplepleasethx Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 15, 2026 5:27 PM in response to picas

Sounds great, thank you. Now I have a different problem which I’m sure is addressed elsewhere on this site: it asks for the password to my AppleID and it’s been so long that I made 2 attempts & am giving up for now before it’s locked. Whenever I get that sorted, I will follow your instructions. Thanks again!

helpmeapplepleasethx Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Oct 15, 2026 5:31 PM in response to MrHoffman

I’m in the library. Strangely, the books I want appear in the library but for purchase when I owned them all. I will try picas’ solution whenever I figure out my AppleID password situation. Always something, right?

MrHoffman
User level: Level 10 (169,253 points)

Oct 15, 2026 5:50 PM in response to helpmeapplepleasethx

helpmeapplepleasethx wrote:
Sounds great, thank you. Now I have a different problem which I’m sure is addressed elsewhere on this site: it asks for the password to my AppleID and it’s been so long that I made 2 attempts & am giving up for now before it’s locked. Whenever I get that sorted, I will follow your instructions. Thanks again!

If you forgot your password and can’t sign in to your Apple Account - Apple Support


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256376919