Apple Books

Apple Books

app

12+, 2010, Books, Entertainment

WISE
72%

WISE Score

4.4

App Store

Apple's built-in reading app offers millions of books—but its content filters are leaky enough that you'll need to stay vigilant.

Where to Find

App Store
App Store
Google Play
Google Play
Screenwise Verdict

Apple Books is a powerful reading platform with a massive catalog, clean interface, and genuinely useful features like reading goals and family sharing. For families who already live in the Apple ecosystem, it's convenient and ad-free.

But here's the problem: the content filters are Swiss cheese. Multiple parents report that even with Screen Time set to 'Clean' or 'PG,' adult books—romance novels, thrillers, self-help with mature themes—still show up in search results and recommendations. Apple's 2025 child account updates help a bit, but the app still lacks a true kids-only storefront.

If you've got a young reader (under 10), you'll need to be hands-on: lock down Screen Time, spot-check their library, and maybe consider a dedicated kids' reading app like Epic for peace of mind. For older kids and teens, Apple Books works well, but a quick conversation about what they're reading is still a good idea.

Reading is one of the best things a kid can do for their brain, empathy, and imagination. Apple Books makes it easy to access a world of stories—just don't assume the guardrails will do all the work for you.

Age Fit

Apple Books can work for kids as young as 4 (with picture books read aloud) up through teens and adults. However, younger kids (under 10) need strict parental controls and active monitoring to avoid stumbling into age-inappropriate content. Teens can use it more independently, but even then, a quick check-in on their library isn't a bad idea.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
75

As a platform, Apple Books is neutral—it can deliver everything from Goodnight Moon to explicit romance novels. The reading goals feature and family sharing promote healthy habits, but the app itself doesn't curate for emotional tone or age-appropriateness unless parents actively lock it down via Screen Time.

Imaginative
82

Access to millions of books and audiobooks means limitless worlds, stories, and ideas. Reading inherently sparks imagination, and features like personalized recommendations and curated collections help kids discover new genres. However, the app is a delivery mechanism, not a creative tool—it doesn't invite kids to write, illustrate, or build their own stories.

Safe
58

Apple Books relies entirely on device-wide Screen Time content restrictions, which multiple parent reports confirm are not foolproof. Even with 'Clean' or 'PG' settings enabled, adult-rated books and explicit samples can still appear in search results and recommendations. There's no dedicated kids-only storefront, and the filters are leaky enough that some families disable the app entirely. No ads or social features, which is good, but the content-filtering gaps are a real concern for families with young readers.

Enriching
88

Reading is one of the most enriching activities a child can do—building vocabulary, empathy, critical thinking, and knowledge across every subject. The reading goals feature encourages daily habits and tracks progress, which can foster discipline and a love of learning. The breadth of the catalog means kids can dive deep into any interest, from dinosaurs to coding to historical fiction.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Access to millions of books and audiobooks means your kid can explore any interest, from graphic novels to chapter books to nonfiction deep dives
  • Reading goals and streak tracking can turn daily reading into a rewarding habit
  • No ads, no social features, no comment sections—just books
  • Family Sharing lets you buy once and share across up to six people, which is great for household libraries
  • Customizable reading experience (fonts, themes, vertical scrolling) helps reluctant readers find their comfort zone
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What to Watch For

  • Content filters are notoriously unreliable—parents report adult romance, thrillers, and explicit samples appearing even with 'Clean' settings enabled
  • There's no curated kids-only storefront, so you're relying on Apple's broader algorithm and your own monitoring
  • Some families end up disabling Apple Books entirely and switching to dedicated kids' reading apps like Epic
  • Screen Time restrictions are your only defense, and they require active setup and periodic checking

Conversation Starters

  • "What book are you reading right now? What made you pick it?"
  • "Have you hit your reading streak this week? What's keeping you motivated?"
  • "If you could recommend one book from your Want to Read list to a friend, which would it be and why?"
  • "What's a genre you haven't tried yet that you're curious about?"

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