How to Fix EPUB Metadata on iPhone: Title, Author, Series & ISBN
Correct the information stored inside an EPUB—not only its filename—then export a cleaner book to your preferred reading app.
To fix EPUB metadata on an iPhone, edit the publication fields stored in the EPUB package—such as title, creator, language, identifier, description, and series information—then export a new copy. Renaming the `.epub` file alone does not change what reading apps display.
Essential Facts & Reader Takeaways
- ✓The visible filename and the title embedded in EPUB metadata are separate values.
- ✓Dublin Core fields describe the title, creator, language, identifier, publisher, date, description, and subjects.
- ✓Series name and position may use Calibre conventions or EPUB 3 collection metadata.
- ✓Review suggested metadata field by field rather than overwriting a book automatically.
- ✓Export a new copy and verify it in the destination reader before replacing the original.
Why Renaming the EPUB File Does Not Fix the Book
Reading apps use embedded package metadata
Changing `unknown-book.epub` to `The Great Novel.epub` can make the file easier to find in Files, but it does not necessarily change the title displayed by Apple Books, Kindle conversion services, Kobo, or other EPUB readers. Those apps typically inspect the package document inside the archive.
The package contains standardized fields for the publication title, creator, language, identifiers, description, subjects, publisher, and dates. Fixing those fields makes the correction travel with the EPUB when you move or export it.
Which Metadata Fields Should You Review?
Start with identity, then organization
Begin with title, author, language, and a stable identifier such as an ISBN when the book has one. Then review publisher, publication date, description, and subject tags. Avoid inventing an ISBN or copying one from a different edition because identifiers are edition-specific.
For multi-volume books, add a consistent series name and numeric position. EpubTidy supports common Calibre series metadata as well as EPUB 3 collection information, helping compatible reading tools keep related books in a sensible order.
A Safe Mobile Metadata Workflow
Inspect, edit, export, verify
Import the EPUB into EpubTidy, open the metadata editor, and correct the fields you can verify. Book Match can suggest information and covers using a title, author, or ISBN query, but the final selection remains yours.
Export the updated EPUB as a separate copy. Open that copy in the destination reader and check its shelf title, author, cover, series placement, table of contents, and first few pages. Keep the original until the result is confirmed.
EpubTidy vs. Calibre on Mac or PC
| Feature / Capability | EpubTidy (iOS) | Calibre on Mac or PC |
|---|---|---|
| Edit title and author | ✓ Directly on iPhone | Desktop application required |
| Series metadata | ✓ Calibre-style series plus EPUB 3 collections | Mature Calibre library fields |
| Cover review | ✓ Edit metadata and cover in the same mobile workflow | Available in the desktop editor |
| Large desktop library automation | ✓ Designed for mobile review and repair | Stronger bulk desktop management |
Frequently Asked Questions About This Topic
Can I edit EPUB metadata directly on an iPhone?▼
Yes. EpubTidy can edit common Dublin Core fields, identifiers, descriptions, tags, and series information without requiring a Mac or PC.
Will changing an EPUB filename update its title in Apple Books?▼
Not reliably. Reading apps normally use the title embedded in the EPUB package, so edit the internal metadata and import the corrected copy.
Should I automatically replace every metadata field from an online match?▼
No. Different editions can share a title while using different ISBNs, dates, publishers, and covers. Compare each suggestion and keep the original value when uncertain.
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