How to Read Books for Free on an iPhone

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 9, 2020

As we all know, being an avid reader can be extremely expensive. Both the traditional paperback copies and the new eBook versions of your favorite novels are not cheap. Fortunately there are a growing number of options out there for completely free access to extensive libraries of new and classic material, all of which can be accessed easily from your iPhone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Using an E-Book Reader App

1
Research the app that's right for you. There are a couple great options out there when it comes to free E-Book Reader Apps like Stanza and Kobo but the best choice for those readers looking for an extensive collection of free books is Wattpad. The Kindle Unlimited app is another great resource of free books, but you will be required to pay a membership fee.
2
Download your app. Once you have chosen your app, you can download it from the App Store on your phone. Click on the "Get" and then "Install" buttons. Wait for the app's icon to become fully colorized and then select your app to open it.
3
Enter your E-mail and create a username and password. Make sure it is your current E-mail address because you will need to access it in order to confirm your account.
4
Enter some basic information about yourself. Wattpad will now ask you a series of questions about your age, gender, reading preferences, and how you would like to connect with friends on the app.
5
Verify your account. Once you have created an account on the app, you will need to verify it by going to your E-mail and opening the message entitled "Welcome to Wattpad! Oh, and one more thing..." If you do not see this message, check your spam folder or recreate your account through the app.^{[1]
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6
Select "Active Account." This will verify your account and you may return to the app and get started reading.
7
Find free stories. You can search for stories by selecting the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner. Within Wattpad, you can also connect with friends, stay up-to-date with the news, access your bookshelf from any device, and even write your own stories that you can share with your followers and contact list.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Using Your Public Library

1
Get a Library Card! Going down to your local library has tons of benefits and their services are continually growing with our technologically advancing world. One of those great new modern services is an extensive eBook library.
2
Download free eBooks. You can download free eBooks to your device by going to your library's website and searching their eBook catalogue. Once you find your book, simply select "Download."
3
Don't worry about late fees! What is great about renting eBooks through your local public library is that once you're rental period has ended, the tile will be removed from your account automatically. If you are not done with the book, simply check it out again. Most libraries will have a rental period of around three weeks but make sure to check with your librarian.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Downloading Free eBooks for iBooks

1
Go into iTunes and download iBooks. iBooks is a great feature to find previews of good books, to buy good books, and to even have access to tens of thousands of free titles.
2
Open up iBooks. When iBooks opens, you should see a bookcase, or Library, and possibly a single book. The free book that comes with your download is Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne. This "bookcase" is where you will find all the books that you will later download.
3
Download books from the app. You can do this by going directly through the iBooks app.
4
Click back to "Library". Then select your book from your Library. When you wish to turn to the next page, slide your finger across the page from left to right.

Community Q&A

Question

Are books on iBooks free?

Community Answer

Some are. You can find these books in the free section of top charts. Books that are not free have a listed price.
Question

Can books be added to the iBooks library via iTunes?

Community Answer

Yes, you should be able to do this on a PC.
Question

Can I use the iPad dictionary when I read on iBooks?

Community Answer

Yes, you can tap on a word to select it, and click "Look Up" in the menu. This will bring up the dictionary and tell you what a word means.
Question

How can I read a Kindle book on my iPhone?

Community Answer

You can download the "Kindle" app from the App Store and sign in with your Amazon account. Then, you should be able to access any books you've purchased/downloaded from Amazon.