What is MIME type "application/x-ibooks+zip"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-ibooks+zip is a MIME type used for files created by Apple iBooks Author. It bundles all parts of an interactive digital book into one compressed package, much like a ZIP archive.

The format organizes text, images, videos, and interactive elements together. Files using this MIME type carry the IBOOKS extension.

Main use: Deliver interactive digital books on Apple devices.
Key fact: It packages multiple media types into one file.
Key fact: It uses compression similar to standard ZIP files.
Key fact: It serves a similar role as the ePub format but is specific to Apple's ecosystem.

For further details on this file format, see the reference at filext.com.

Associated file extensions

.ibooks

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-ibooks+zip

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-ibooks+zip">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-ibooks+zip');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.ibooks

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.