5 Ways to Find Free Apple Books

What exactly is Apple Books and how do I use it?
Apple Books is the built-in app for iPhones, iPads, and Macs where you can buy and read digital books. You don’t need a special e-reader device; as long as you have an Apple device, the app should already be there and ready to use.

Does Apple Books have a specific place for books that don’t cost anything?
Yes, inside the app there is a dedicated “Free” section. If you go to the Book Store tab and scroll down to the Top Charts, you’ll usually see a “Top Free” list where you can browse popular titles that are currently $0.00.

How can I find free books on the BookSliced website?
BookSliced has a specific free Apple Books page that rounds up the top 100 freebies available at any given time. It’s a quick way to see everything in one place—just make sure you’re browsing the site on your Apple device so you can download them directly to your library.

Can I search for free books manually in the store?
A simple trick is to type the word “Free” into the search bar within the Apple Books app. This will bring up a massive list of classics, independent authors, and limited-time promotional books that you can download for free.

Where can I find old classic books for free?
Project Gutenberg is a fantastic resource for this. They have over 70,000 public domain books—like Pride and Prejudice or Moby Dick—that you can download in “ePub” format. Once downloaded, you just open the file, and it will automatically save to your Apple Books library.

Is there a way to “borrow” digital books like a physical library?
You can use a site called Open Library, which is part of the Internet Archive. It works like a digital library where you can borrow eBooks for free. You can either read them through their own app or download them to your Mac and move them into Apple Books.

Can I use my local library card to get books on my iPhone?
Definitely. Most local libraries use apps like Libby or OverDrive. You just sign in with your library card, find a book you want, and many of them have an “Open in Apple Books” option that lets you read your library loans directly in your preferred app.

What kind of books are usually free on these platforms?
You’ll find a mix of three things: classic literature where the copyright has expired, “first-in-series” books where an author gives away the first book to get you hooked, and temporary sales where a normally paid book is free for a few days.

Can I read these free books on my Windows computer or Android phone?
Apple Books is strictly for Apple hardware (iPhone, iPad, and Mac). However, if you use sites like Project Gutenberg or Open Library, you can download those same books and read them on other devices using different e-reader apps.

How often do the free selections change?
In the Apple Books store and on BookSliced, the “Top Free” charts change daily. Authors frequently put their books on sale for 24 to 48 hours, so it’s worth checking back often to snag a deal before the price goes back up.

Can I listen to free audiobooks through the Apple Books app too?
Yes, the app has a specific section for free audiobooks, though the selection is usually smaller than the ebook list. You can find them by going to the Audiobooks tab and looking for the “Great Free Audiobooks” collection or searching for “free audiobooks” directly.

What happens to these free books if I get a new iPhone or iPad?
Since every book you download is linked to your Apple ID, they stay in your permanent library. When you sign into a new device, you can just go to your “Purchased” list and redownload all your free finds without having to search for them again.

Do I need to have a credit card on file just to download a free book?
Even if a book is free, Apple usually requires you to have a valid payment method or at least a verified billing address associated with your Apple ID. You won’t be charged anything, but the system processes the “free” transaction like a standard purchase.

Can I share the free books I find with my family members?
If you have “Family Sharing” set up, any book you download—even the free ones—can be shared with up to five other family members. They can see your library and download the same titles to their own devices at no extra cost.

Is there a way to get notified when a book I want becomes free?
The app itself doesn’t send alerts for price drops, but you can add books to your “Want to Read” list to keep an eye on them. Many people also use third-party price trackers or newsletter services that specifically email you when titles in your favorite genres hit the $0.00 mark.