BookSwap

User guide

How BookSwap works

Give and get free textbooks, exchanged safely at pickup stations.

THE JOURNEY 01 — 05

One book, five steps.

You list books you no longer need, claim ones you want, and hand them over at a pickup station — never in person. Follow one book from listing to collection.

Select a step to read its details. Tab or the arrow keys move between steps.

  1. List or find a book

    Give away a textbook you’ve finished with, or browse the free ones.

    Step 1 of 5

    Giving? Open the Sell tab and add the title, author, description, category, condition and two to five photos, then choose the pickup station where you’ll drop it off. Every listing is free.

    Looking? Open the Browse tab, search by title or author, and filter by category or pickup station.

  2. Claim it

    Reserve the book you want. Claims are binding — first come, first served.

    Step 2 of 5

    Tap a book to see its details. The listing shows the pickup station the giver chose — check it suits you, because it can’t be changed after you claim. Then claim it: the book is held for you straight away, so only claim what you’ll actually collect. You can hold up to five active claims at a time.

  3. Drop-off at a station

    The giver leaves the book at the pickup station they chose.

    Step 3 of 5

    The giver has five days from the claim to drop the book off. They take it to the station they chose, tap Start Drop-off under My Books → Claimed From Me, and the station staff confirm the hand-off. Once that’s done, the giver’s part is complete — nothing else to do.

  4. Pickup code unlocks

    Once the drop-off is confirmed, you get a secure six-digit code.

    Step 4 of 5

    As soon as the station confirms the drop-off, a secure pickup code appears in your reservation under My Books → Reserved by Me. You have three days from that confirmation to collect.

  5. Collect at the station

    Show your code, pick up the book. Done — completely free.

    Step 5 of 5

    Go to the pickup station within your pickup window, show your code to the station staff and take the book home — no payment, ever. If you don’t collect in time, the reservation is closed as uncollected and it counts against your account standing.

Common questions

Does BookSwap cost anything?

No. Every book is given away for free. There are no payments, fees, or shipping charges anywhere in the app.

Why do books go through a station instead of meeting in person?

Pickup stations keep exchanges safe and simple — you never have to arrange a meeting or share personal contact details with another student.

Can I cancel a claim?

Claims are binding to keep books moving to students who need them. Only claim a book you intend to collect.

What if the giver never drops the book off?

If the giver misses their drop-off window, your claim is released and no longer counts toward your five active claims. You’re free to claim something else.

Can I edit a listing after posting it?

No. Listings can’t be edited once they’re posted. If the book hasn’t been claimed yet, remove the listing from My Books and post it again with the right details.

What happens to a book that expires or isn’t collected?

It doesn’t go back on the marketplace by itself. If you’d still like to give it away, list it again as a new listing.

What happens if I miss a pickup or drop-off?

Every missed drop-off or pickup is a strike on your account. Consecutive misses lead to a temporary suspension from listing and claiming, and continued misuse leads to a permanent restriction. While suspended, you can still complete any reservations you already hold. Collecting and dropping off on time keeps your account in good standing.

How do I appeal a restriction on my account?

If your account has been restricted and you believe it’s a mistake, email admin@bookswap.shop. The appeal option is shown in the app under Profile → Account Standing → Appeals. For anything else, contact support@bookswap.shop.