Tip: how to update metadata of audiobooks in Books app (macOS Sequoia)
I have an audiobook in mp3 file. As Music app is not suitable for audiobooks I drag-and-dropped it to the Books app (Library → Audiobooks). The resulted audiobook had no cover and author/name looked weird. I decided to share how I fixed that, as I couldn't find an easy solution on the internet. Here's the method:
0. (For those who only want to update metadata of existing audiobooks. Warning: track position will be lost so remember it.) In Finder, go to: ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.BKAgentService/Data/Documents/iBooks/Books/Audiobooks and find you audiobook file in one of the folders named "sha1-...".
- Drag-and drop the file to Music app. Your audiobook is going to be the top-most music album in Recentrly Added section of Library.
- Right-click it, choose Get/Song Info.
- Update Name, Artist, Album fields on Details tab.
- Drag-and-drop audiobook's cover picture on Artwork tab.
- Click OK. Repeat Step 2.
- Go to File tab, find location in the bottom.
- Go to this location in Finder, there you find updated audiobook file. (I suggest you back it up elsewhere just in case.)
- In Books app, find the audiobook you're updating, and delete it.
- Drag-and-drop the file from Step 7 to Books app.
- Check your new audiobook's cover, name, etc. If correction needed repeat Steps 3–9.
- If the audiobook is OK, delete the audiobook music track in Music app.
The method works with mp3 files. Guess any audio format supported by Books app will do, too. Haven't tried it with audiobooks purchased in Book Store, though.
Audiobook sync with iPhone (manual) works fine, track position is synced OK.
Looks lengthy but actually easy. Hope it helps.