Sharing and Exporting¶
Sharing a Book¶
Sharing sends the book file to another app, person, or location using the system share sheet. The original file in your Alcove library is not moved or affected.
Mac Select a book and click the Share button in the toolbar, or choose Book → Share…, or Control-click a book and choose Share…. The macOS share sheet appears with options such as AirDrop, Mail, Messages, and more.
iPad Select a book to show its details, then tap the Share button in the detail panel. You can also touch and hold a book and choose Share… from the context menu. The iOS share sheet appears.
Sharing Multiple Books¶
Select multiple books first, then share. All selected book files are included in a single share sheet.
Mac Use the Share toolbar button or Book → Share… with multiple books selected.
iPad Enter selection mode (tap Select in the navigation bar), select the books you want, then tap Share in the bulk-action toolbar at the bottom.
Exporting a Book File¶
Export saves a copy of the book file to a location you choose — useful for moving a book to another app, copying it to a different device, or sending it to someone.
Mac Select one or more books and choose Book → Export…. For a single book, a Save panel opens — choose the destination and filename. For multiple books, choose a destination folder and all files are copied there.
You can also drag one or more books directly from Alcove to a Finder window or another app — Alcove copies the file to the drop destination.
iPad Select a book and choose Book → Export… from the menu (⋯ button in the toolbar). The share sheet opens — tap Save to Files to save to a folder, or choose another app to send it directly.
Opening in Another App¶
Mac Control-click a book and choose Open With → to see all compatible apps on your Mac and open the file in one of them. To set a permanent default, see Settings → Reader.
iPad Select a book and tap Open in the detail panel. A list of compatible apps appears — choose one to open the book. iOS does not support setting a permanent default reader app, so you choose each time.
Export and Import Library Catalog (Mac only)¶
Library → Export Library… exports your library catalog as a JSON file — titles, authors, ratings, tags, reading status, and other metadata. The book files themselves are not included.
Library → Import Library… imports a previously exported JSON file to restore metadata into a library.
This is useful for migrating your metadata to a new Mac or keeping a catalog backup independent of iCloud.