BookNestFrequently Asked Questions
What is BookNest?
BookNest is a family reading home for iPhone and iPad. Import the EPUB, PDF, or TXT books you already own, read or listen anywhere, ask questions about a book with on-device AI, and grow toward family goals together.
Do I need an account?
No account is required for BookNest's core features. Sign in with Apple is optional and used only as a recovery anchor for your family's cloud data — never for tracking.
Where is my data stored?
Your library, reading history, and family data live on your device. The optional Family Cloud mirrors your data to our servers (hosted on Cloudflare) so your own family's devices stay in sync — it's off by default and yours to remove at any time.
Importing Books
Which formats are supported?
BookNest reads EPUB, PDF, and TXT. Import from Files, iCloud Drive, or share directly into BookNest from Safari, Mail, and other apps.
My EPUB won't open. What can I do?
Make sure the file is a valid, DRM-free EPUB. If it still fails, try re-downloading the file and importing again. Some DRM-protected or malformed files cannot be opened — that's a limitation of the file, not of BookNest.
Can I add a book by scanning its ISBN?
Yes. Use the scanner in the Library to look up a book by its ISBN barcode and add it to your shelves. You can then attach a local file so it becomes readable.
On-Device AI
How does Ask This Book work?
Ask This Book answers questions grounded in the book you're reading, using a small AI model that runs entirely on your device. Nothing you type — and nothing in the book — is uploaded anywhere.
How big is the AI Pack download?
The AI Pack is roughly 2.4 GB. We recommend downloading over Wi-Fi. The download supports resumption if your connection drops. You can manage it from Settings → AI & Voice.
The model won't finish downloading. What do I do?
Make sure you have at least 4 GB of free storage and a stable Wi-Fi connection, then retry from Settings → AI & Voice. If it still fails, delete and re-download the model.
Listening
How does Read ↔ Listen work?
Open any readable book and tap Listen. BookNest reads the chapter aloud with on-device text-to-speech, highlights the current sentence as it goes, and lets you switch between reading and listening without losing your place.
Is the Voice Pack required?
No. BookNest includes natural system voices out of the box. The optional Voice Pack adds higher-quality narration voices (also on-device) for those who want a richer listening experience.
Can I listen in the background?
Yes. Listening continues with the screen locked or while you use other apps, with playback controls on the lock screen and Dynamic Island.
Family Cloud
What does Family Cloud Sync do?
It keeps your family's library, members, reading history, goals, and cheers in sync across every device in your family. Only devices that join with your 6-letter invite code can access the family data.
How do I set it up?
From Settings → Family Cloud (Premium) or the Family page, create a family or join with an invite code. Data syncs automatically after that.
How do I remove my device from the cloud?
Settings → Family Cloud → Remove. This stops syncing on this device. Your family's cloud data stays intact for other devices.
Subscription
What's included in Premium?
Premium unlocks Family Cloud Sync and up to 6 family members. On-device AI and the Voice Pack stay free for everyone.
How do I manage or cancel my subscription?
Open the App Store → your Apple ID → Subscriptions → BookNest. You can cancel or change plans there. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the period ends.
How do I restore my purchase?
Go to Settings → Subscription → Restore Purchases. This syncs your entitlement with your Apple ID.
Troubleshooting
The app feels slow or stuck.
Close and reopen the app. If AI answers feel slow, check that the AI Pack is fully downloaded in Settings → AI & Voice. A device restart resolves most hiccups.
Listening has no sound.
Check that your device isn't on Silent, the volume is up, and no other app is playing audio. If you're using a custom Voice Pack, try switching back to a system voice from the Listen player.
The app closed unexpectedly.
Update to the latest version from the App Store, ensure your device is on iOS 17 or later, and free up storage space. If the problem continues, contact us with your device model and iOS version.
Contact Us
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