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Troubleshooting

Fixes for common problems.

This page covers fixes for the problems we hear about most often. If yours isn’t here, see the FAQ or Support.

Before you start

Most issues clear up after a couple of basic checks:

  1. Is Bookil up to date? Open the App Store, search for Bookil, and install the latest version if there’s one available.
  2. Are you on a supported version of iOS? Bookil needs iOS 17 or later.
  3. Did you try restarting the app? Swipe Bookil out of the App Switcher and reopen it.

A PDF won’t import

“A book with the same name already exists”

Bookil keeps file names unique inside your library. To import a renamed version:

  1. In Bookil, long-press the existing book and tap Remove from Device (this keeps your reading history but removes the PDF file).
  2. Re-import the new PDF.

Or rename the file in the source app before importing.

“This PDF cannot be opened”

The PDF has interactive form fields, is corrupted, or is in a format Bookil can’t read. To check which:

  • Open the PDF in another reader (Apple Books, the Files app’s preview). If it doesn’t open there either, it’s likely corrupted.
  • If it opens in another app and shows fields you can tap into, it has interactive forms. Bookil can’t open these.

Bookil keeps saying “Couldn’t save”

The import has reached the device but Bookil couldn’t write the PDF to its library. This usually means the device is out of storage. Free up space and try again.

A PDF imported but its cover is wrong or missing

Long-press the book and tap Regenerate Thumbnail. Bookil rebuilds the cover from the PDF.

If the PDF is password-protected, Bookil can’t generate a cover until you open the file and enter the password.

Bookil crashes or freezes

  1. Force-quit and reopen.
  2. Restart the device.
  3. Make sure you’re on the latest version.
  4. If it keeps happening, contact us through the Support form and tell us:
    • Your device model and iOS version.
    • The Bookil version (Settings → header).
    • What you were doing when it happened.

I can’t unlock a private collection

Face ID or Touch ID isn’t working

Make sure Face ID or Touch ID is enabled for Bookil in Settings (iOS) → Face ID & Passcode → Other Apps. If biometric authentication fails several times in a row, iOS asks for the device passcode instead.

The Unlock button doesn’t appear

Your device may not have a passcode. Private collections need a passcode set on the device. Go to Settings (iOS) → Face ID & Passcode and set one up.

I forgot which collection I locked

There’s no “show all locked collections” search. Locked collections still appear in the sidebar (with a lock icon), so scroll through the sidebar to find the one you meant.

I imported a backup and lost my place

Bookil merges the backup with your current data. The merge favors what’s in the backup. If you imported an older backup over newer reading state, the older state took over.

This release can’t import backups made by Bookil 2025.08.1 or earlier.

Bookil’s folder in the Files app

If you copied a PDF into Bookil’s folder and it didn’t appear:

  1. Force-quit Bookil and reopen it. The library is scanned on launch.
  2. Make sure the file you copied has a .pdf extension.
  3. If the file is corrupted, Bookil skips it silently. Check the file in another reader.

To delete a problem PDF, use the Files app:

  1. In Bookil, Settings → Show files in Files app.
  2. Long-press the PDF and tap Delete.

When to contact support

Use the Support form when:

  • A reproducible issue isn’t covered here.
  • Bookil crashes in a way that you can describe but not fix.
  • A feature isn’t behaving the way these docs describe.

Include your device, iOS version, Bookil version, and the steps to reproduce.