Import / Readwise Reader
Bring a Readwise Reader export
into Aside.
Export the Readwise Reader library as CSV, then pick that file in Aside on iPhone. This is a file import. Aside does not connect to Readwise.
Readwise Reader is current. In Readwise Reader, choose Export Library as CSV. That’s the library list — not highlights or attachments.
Start on iPhone · No sign-in needed for the Local Library
In the other app
Export the file
- 01
Open Readwise Reader
In Readwise Reader, open the library export. Use Export Library as CSV — not a highlights export.
- 02
Download the library CSV
Save the CSV (Title, URL, ID, Document tags, Saved date, Reading progress, Location, Seen). This is the library list.
- 03
Put the CSV on iPhone
Save readwise-reader.csv in the Files app, then pick it in Aside.
Aside
Open the file in Aside
- 01
First-run ImportIntroductionSheet
The first time you open Aside, ImportIntroductionSheet offers “Import saves from these apps”. Choose the file there.
- 02
Empty Home: Import existing saves
If Home has no saves, tap “Import existing saves” (feed-empty-import).
- 03
Account, below Storage: account-import
Open Account. Below the Storage row, tap “Import from other apps” (account-import). This is not the Storage settings page.
What comes across
- url — the saved link
- title — the Reader title
- tags — document tags
- addedAt — the saved date
- archived — Location archive maps to archived
What stays behind
- folderPath — Reader CSV has no folders
- notes — Reader CSV notes are nil
- highlights — Reader highlights
- full text — article body and attachments
- javascript: and data: URLs — skipped, not saved
A few things to know
Before you begin.
What if the file is dirty or truncated?
Aside skips broken rows when it can, or says the file cannot be read. Use the original Readwise Reader library CSV. A rewritten copy may not import.
What about javascript: or data: bookmarks?
Aside skips javascript: and data: URLs. They are not saved.
What about a duplicate URL?
A URL already in Aside is not added again. Importing the same file twice does not duplicate those saves.
What if the file is large?
A large library can take a while. Stay in Aside until it finishes, or pause and continue later. Leaving the App may pause the import.