Phloem for iPad
A little help with your reading desk.
Read your papers, keep a guide on the page, and collect notes beside the original. These instructions cover the iPad app.
Get in touch
Email Houfu Chen at houfuchen0702@gmail.com. If the link does not open a mail app, copy the address into your email service.
For a problem report, include your iPad model, iPadOS version, app version or TestFlight build, what you were trying to do, and the steps that led to the problem. A screenshot can help; cover private information first. You do not need to send your papers or backup to make an initial report.
Add a paper
- Use the library’s add control and choose a PDF or Word document from Files.
- Wait for the import to finish, then open the paper from your library.
- Keep the original file somewhere you control. Files from a cloud provider may need an internet connection for the initial import.
If a PDF link cannot be imported, download the PDF with your browser first, then choose that file in Phloem. Some websites block direct downloads or require a login.
Save and restore a portable backup
- Open Settings, then choose Download backup.
- Save the JSON file somewhere you trust.
- To restore, open Settings → Restore backup and select that JSON file.
The portable backup contains your notes, highlights, reading progress, reviewer work, and document metadata. It does not contain original PDF or Word files or AI API keys. Keep your original documents separately and re-import them when needed after a restore.
Backups are unencrypted. Store them somewhere appropriate for the contents of your papers and notes. Restoring merges the saved reading data into the library already on the iPad.
Sync with iCloud in version 1.2 and later
- Sign in to iCloud on the iPad and make sure iCloud Drive is enabled.
- Open Phloem Settings → Sync with iCloud → Turn on iCloud sync.
- Keep Phloem open while the first upload finishes. Later edits sync automatically, and tapping the cloud at the top starts a sync immediately.
- On another compatible Apple device using the same iCloud account, install Phloem and turn on iCloud sync. Library data merges, and an original downloads when you open that paper.
Local reading continues if iCloud is unavailable. Turning sync off keeps both the local and iCloud copies. To remove the cloud records while preserving this iPad’s local library, choose Delete iCloud copy… and confirm.
If something is missing or will not open
- Missing original: re-import the same PDF or Word file from Files. A restored portable backup contains reading data, not the original document.
- Storage warning: free space on your iPad, keep the original files, and try the action again. Avoid deleting or reinstalling Phloem before saving a portable backup.
- Export did not finish: keep Phloem in the foreground and retry. If it still fails, note the error and contact support.
- Definition unavailable: Define uses Wikipedia and Wikimedia online. Try a shorter phrase and check your connection. Your highlights do not depend on a lookup succeeding.
Use optional AI in version 1.1 and later
Cloud AI is unavailable in the China mainland App Store. If Settings does not show the AI assistant, continue using the complete local reader, Apple Pencil tools, and optional private iCloud sync; no provider setup is required.
- Open Settings → AI assistant and choose an available provider. AI setup is for users who are 18 or older.
- Review the provider-specific disclosure and privacy link, choose a model if needed, then check the consent box.
- Tap Save AI settings and enter your own API key in the secure iOS prompt.
- Open a paper and deliberately choose an AI action. Only the reading context described in the disclosure is sent to the provider you selected.
Phloem stores the key in this iPad’s Keychain and does not place it in Phloem backups. To stop future requests, return to Settings, select that provider, and tap Remove saved key. This also removes the local consent receipt.
- AI says setup is incomplete: confirm the selected provider has a saved key and that the model name is valid for your provider account.
- Invalid key or billing error: create or check the API key and API balance/billing directly with the provider. Access to a provider’s consumer chat service does not by itself establish that your API account has credit or access to the selected model.
- Rate limit or timeout: wait and retry once. If it continues, check the provider status and the limits on your API account.
- Sensitive paper: do not use an AI action unless your provider and plan are appropriate for the text being sent. Ordinary local reading does not require AI.
What this iPad build supports
Local reading, notes, highlights, imported reviewer comments, original-file sharing, portable metadata backups, and optional private iCloud sync are available. Outside the China mainland App Store, version 1.1 and later also supports optional bring-your-own-key AI through the providers shown in Settings. Custom AI endpoints, Chrome’s on-device AI, and Google Drive/GitHub sync are unavailable. Files saved locally can be read without a network connection; iCloud sync, AI, Define, PDF URL imports, external links, and cloud file providers require one.
About Phloem
Created by Houfu Chen. Phloem icon artwork by Promma.