What is Calibre View?
Calibre View is an iPhone and iPad app for browsing and managing your Calibre ebook library using
cloud storage (Dropbox or Google Drive) or files from the Files app.
Do I need to run Calibre on a server or keep my computer on?
No. Calibre View reads your library database file (
metadata.db) directly from storage.
There is no server component.
How do I set up my Calibre library for Calibre View?
Place your Calibre library folder somewhere Calibre View can access it (Dropbox, Google Drive, or Files),
then connect that library in the app. Calibre View uses the Calibre database
(
metadata.db) to display your books and metadata.
Can I browse my library with only metadata.db?
Yes. If you upload only
metadata.db, you can browse and search all metadata,
but covers and book downloads won’t be available.
Does Calibre View upload, edit, or delete my files?
No. Calibre View is read-only. It never modifies, uploads, or deletes your files.
Does Calibre View download every cover?
No. Covers download only when you open a book’s detail view. This saves bandwidth and storage.
Does Calibre View work offline?
Yes, once a library is downloaded you can browse it offline.
Downloading covers or book files requires connectivity.
What formats does Calibre View support?
Calibre View supports whatever formats exist in your Calibre library
(EPUB, AZW3, PDF, TXT, and others) and lets you open or share them with other apps.
Is Calibre View affiliated with Calibre?
No. Calibre View is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Calibre project.
What data does Calibre View collect?
Calibre View does not sell or share your data. Please see the Privacy Policy for details.
How do I report a bug or request a feature?
Email calibreviewapp@gmail.com with your device model,
iOS/iPadOS version, what you were doing, and (if possible) logs from the app’s settings menu.
Known limitations & current behavior
- Google Drive access may be limited during verification. Until Google completes OAuth verification, Drive access may be unavailable for some users. Dropbox and Files continue to work normally.
- Initial load time depends on library size. Very large libraries (10,000–15,000+ books) may take 10–30 seconds to open the first time or when switching libraries.
- Offline browsing is metadata-only if content isn’t cached. You can browse cached metadata offline, but covers and book downloads require connectivity if they haven’t been downloaded before.
- Covers are not prefetched. Covers download only when viewing a book’s detail screen.
- Results screens are separate views. Sorting and layout are consistent, but some UI behaviors may feel slightly different from the main library list.
- Sharing behavior depends on file type and installed apps. Some formats or apps may handle files differently, and iOS may log harmless warnings even when sharing succeeds.
- Cloud providers may temporarily throttle heavy activity. Normal use is fine, but rapidly downloading many files or switching folders repeatedly could trigger short-lived rate limits.
- No accounts or server sync. Calibre View is fully client-side. There is no cross-device sync beyond what your cloud storage already provides.