How can I restore the sidebar in Books for iPadOS?

Question

How can I restore the sidebar in Books for iPadOS?

Does anyone know how to restore the sidebar in Books for iPadOS? It’s been frustrating not having it. Virtually every other app has that functionality — except the one app that could actually use some library-like organization. The dropdown menu in the upper right corner doesn’t cut it.

What is happing to Apple UX/UI design these days? It seems like the coders for Books have never actually used the app and don’t understand how books are organized. Very frustrating.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Sidebar in Books for iPadOS

Posted on Jun 28, 2025 8:56 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Phil0124

Level 10

216,332 points

Jun 30, 2025 3:33 PM in response to Christopher Barrick

The side bar was removed with iOS 18 and specifically replace with the Collections menu. Why, is unknown, as Apple does not disclose these decisions.

But almost everything the side bar used to have is now in the Collections Menu or the menu at the top.

And what exactly would you want in that Sidebar that is not already in the Collections menu?

You are of course free to offer Apple feedback about a particular App, and if enough people do, they may consider adding a feature to it.

click here ➜ Feedback - Books for iOS and iPadOS - Apple

Also, you can read through the iPadOS user guide for how to use the Books app.

click here ➜ Organize books in the Books app on iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Jun 30, 2025 4:04 PM in response to Phil0124

Hi Phil0124, thank you for your reply. It's especially frustrating because virtually every other app still has a sidebar. For me, the Collections menu is useless. If you have a library of any decent size, it is infinitely easier to organize a collection using the sidebar. I have use a Mac to do so now.

I can only surmise whoever is in charge of the iPadOS Books app isn't an avid reader. So frustrating. I have put in several requests to restore it, but I really don't think Apple cares. 😢

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