Before you turn
the first page.

Actually Read is an iOS reading app designed to help you finish the books you want to read—EPUBs, PDFs, and physical books. It combines in-app reading, focused reading sessions, optional distraction blocking, a reading journal, and a book-aware AI companion.

Both products let you ask questions about source material. Actually Read is built around a different experience: you are encouraged to read the book itself. The AI is there to explain, connect, recap, and help you go deeper—not replace the book.

No. The central idea is that reading is worth doing. Actually Read can summarize a chapter or explain a difficult passage when you ask, but the product is designed to keep you engaged with the original book.

Actually Read supports EPUB and PDF files you own or have permission to use. DRM-protected books may not be supported; file-size and compatibility limits are listed in the app. The richest in-app reader and book-grounded AI experience is with EPUBs, while PDF reading and AI support are more limited.

Yes. Search the large catalog of published books to find your book’s cover, author, and summary, then add it to your library. Track its progress, organize it in reading lists, and pin it to Focus to block distractions while you read on paper. You can also track books you read in another app. A catalog record does not supply the full book text for book-specific AI answers.

Pin any book to Focus, move through the carousel of your current reads, and select the one you want to read. Choose a session length or unlimited time and start your session. The built-in reader tracks reading time and progress; for physical books, log progress afterward. Your history brings together sessions, time, and progress.

Deep Focus uses Apple’s Screen Time API to temporarily shield selected apps, app categories, and websites during a reading session. You choose what gets blocked and select a session length or unlimited time. A Live Activity displays the session while you read an ebook or a physical book.

The companion actively searches the text of your selected digital book and answers using relevant passages, with citations you can tap to open the source passage in the reader. This is retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). Book indexing and retrieval happen on-device for every model option. Advanced AI sends relevant retrieved excerpts and request context to the cloud; it does not upload the full book for AI answers.

Yes. Turn on Avoid Spoilers in the app for strict spoiler control. The companion uses your current reading position to keep grounded answers, recaps, and explanations within the part of the book you have reached.

On-device AI is included in the free core reading experience on supported Apple devices, using Apple’s Foundation Models. Advanced AI offers more capable cloud models through a subscription. Current prices and usage allowances are shown in the app; on-device availability depends on compatible hardware and software.

On compatible Apple devices, you can choose a fully on-device answer option powered by Apple’s Foundation Models for supported experiences. You can also use cloud-powered AI when you want to explore more deeply. Check the app listing for current device and operating-system requirements.

Book indexing and retrieval happen on-device for every AI model option. Fully on-device answers do not send your question or selected excerpts to Google/Firebase. Advanced AI sends your question, relevant retrieved excerpts, and other request context to the cloud to generate an answer. The privacy policy explains processing, iCloud synchronization, storage, retention, and controls.

Actually Read is available for iOS. Check the app listing for the current minimum operating-system version, supported devices, and Apple Intelligence requirements.

The core reading experience is free, including book tracking, focus sessions, and on-device AI on supported devices. A subscription provides access to Advanced AI cloud models. Check the app for current pricing and usage allowances.

Actually Read is available on iOS. Find it on the App Store and check the app listing for current availability, device support, and pricing details.

Both. Read ebooks directly in Actually Read and track physical books or books you read in another app. They share one library, reading lists, progress, and Focus sessions.

Actually Read offers over 70,000 free public-domain ebooks through Project Gutenberg. Download a book and read it directly in the app. This collection is separate from the catalog used to find and track physical books; adding a physical book record does not provide a free ebook copy.