iOS 15 Apple Books Reading Goals Layout Changes

Apple introduced several refinements to the Books app in iOS 15, focusing on a more motivating, streamlined reading goal tracking experience. This update refreshed the visual layout of reading statistics, simplified how users adjust their daily and annual targets, and improved the tracking of reading streaks. Below is a detailed breakdown of the specific layout and functional updates added to reading goal tracking in iOS 15.

Redesigned Reading Goals Hub

In iOS 15, the Reading Goals section located within the "Read Now" tab received a cleaner, card-based interface. Instead of burying your statistics inside sub-menus, the layout surfaces your daily reading time directly below your current reading list. A circular progress ring prominently shows your daily minutes completed versus your target, alongside a separate tracker indicating your total books read toward your yearly goal.

In-Place Goal Customization

Previous versions required navigating through multiple menus to change your goals. With iOS 15, Apple introduced direct contextual menus for adjustments:

  • Daily Reading Target: Tapping your daily reading time allows you to adjust your daily minute goal directly from a pop-up sheet, selectable in increments from 5 minutes to multiple hours.
  • Books Read This Year: Tapping the yearly counter opens an immediate option to adjust your annual book target without leaving the Read Now dashboard.

Enhanced Streak and Milestone Indicators

The updated layout placed greater emphasis on habit building with enhanced streak metrics:

  • Streak Counter: A dedicated streak counter shows consecutive days of meeting your daily goal.
  • Milestone Banners: When you hit a streak or reach an annual milestone, the layout dynamically updates with celebration cards detailing your personal bests and overall achievements.

Quick Sharing and Privacy Controls

iOS 15 made sharing reading achievements simpler through an integrated Share button on the goal summary card, generating stylized graphics of your progress for Messages or social media. Additionally, for users who prefer not to track their habits, Apple added a direct toggle within the Books settings menu to hide the Reading Goals layout entirely, decluttering the Read Now screen.