Download an Audible audiobook to listen offline
You download an Audible audiobook through the Audible app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Open the app, find the book you want, and tap or click the download button — usually a downward arrow or cloud icon. The book then saves to your device so you can listen without an internet connection.
The process takes a few minutes depending on the book's length and your internet speed. A typical novel might download in 5 to 15 minutes on a standard home connection. Once downloaded, the audiobook stays on your device until you delete it, even if your Audible subscription lapses.
You need an active Audible account and at least one credit or a purchased audiobook to download. If you're using a free trial, you can download books the same way as a paid member.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Audible app, find your audiobook, and tap the download icon to save it to your device for offline listening.
- Downloaded books stay on your device until you manually delete them, even if your subscription ends.
- Each device can hold multiple downloaded audiobooks, but storage space limits how many you can keep at once.
- If a download stalls or fails, delete the partial file and try again with a stronger internet connection.
- You can download the same audiobook to multiple devices using the same Audible account.
Download audiobooks on iPhone or iPad
Launch the Audible app and sign in with your account email and password. Tap the Library tab at the bottom of the screen. Find the audiobook you want to download and tap it to open the book's page.
Look for the cloud icon with a downward arrow on the book's page. Tap it once. The icon will change and show a progress bar as the download begins. You'll see the download percentage increase as the file transfers to your device. When it reaches 100%, the book is ready to listen to offline.
If you don't see a download button, the book may already be downloaded. Check your Library — downloaded books show a filled-in cloud icon or a checkmark. If the book is greyed out or shows an error, make sure you have enough storage space on your iPhone or iPad and that you're connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Download audiobooks on Android phones and tablets
Open the Audible app and tap the Library icon at the bottom. Find the audiobook you want and tap it to view the details page. Look for the download icon — usually a cloud with a downward arrow — and tap it once.
The app will show a progress bar as the audiobook downloads. This may take several minutes for longer books. Once the download finishes, you'll see a filled cloud icon or a checkmark next to the title, showing it's saved to your device.
If the download fails or gets stuck, go to your device's Settings, find the Audible app, and clear the app cache. Then return to the Audible app and try downloading again. A fresh cache often fixes download problems without deleting your library or account information.
Download audiobooks on Mac or Windows
Log into your Audible account on the Audible website or open the Audible app for Mac or Windows on your computer. Navigate to your Library. Find the audiobook you want and hover over it or click it to see the download option.
Click the download button — usually a downward arrow or cloud icon. The app will show a progress window as the file downloads to your computer. Larger audiobooks can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed. Once complete, the book appears in your library with a downloaded status indicator.
Downloaded audiobooks on your computer are stored in a folder that Audible manages. You don't need to find or move these files yourself. The Audible app keeps track of them and plays them directly from the app.
Manage storage when you run out of space
Each device has a storage limit. If you download too many audiobooks, your phone or tablet may run out of space and refuse new downloads. Check how much space is available on your device before downloading large audiobooks.
To free up space, open the Audible app and go to your Library. Find an audiobook you've already listened to or don't need right now. Tap and hold it (or right-click on a computer), then select Delete or Remove Download. This removes the file from your device but keeps the book in your library — you can download it again later.
If you listen to many audiobooks, delete older ones as you finish them. This keeps your device running smoothly and makes room for new downloads. You won't lose access to any books; they stay in your Audible account forever.
Fix download problems
If a download stalls, shows an error, or never starts, first check your internet connection. Switch to Wi-Fi if you're on cellular data, or move closer to your router. Then return to the Audible app and try the download again.
If the problem continues, force-close the Audible app completely. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Audible app up. On Android, go to Settings, find Audible in your app list, and tap Force Stop. Wait 10 seconds, then reopen the app and try downloading again.
For persistent issues, sign out of your Audible account in the app, wait a minute, and sign back in. This refreshes your connection to Audible's servers. If downloads still fail after these steps, uninstall and reinstall the Audible app. This removes corrupted files that might be blocking downloads.
Download the same book to multiple devices
You can download any audiobook from your library to as many devices as you want, as long as they're all signed into the same Audible account. Open the Audible app on each device, find the book in your Library, and tap the download button.
This is useful if you listen on both your phone and tablet, or if you want a backup copy on your computer. Each device stores its own copy of the file, so you can listen on one device while another device downloads a different book.
If you sign out of your Audible account on a device, any downloaded audiobooks on that device will stop playing after 30 days. The files remain on the device, but the app won't access them without an active login.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to a downloaded audiobook without an internet connection?
Yes. Once an audiobook is fully downloaded to your device, you can listen to it anywhere without Wi-Fi or cellular data. The book plays directly from your device's storage. This is the main reason to download audiobooks — so you can listen on planes, in areas with no signal, or to save on data usage.
What happens to my downloaded books if my Audible subscription ends?
Downloaded audiobooks stay on your device and remain playable even after your subscription ends. However, you won't be able to download new books or access your library through the app. If you reactivate your subscription later, your library and all downloaded books are still there.
How much storage space does a typical audiobook use?
A 10-hour audiobook usually takes 300 to 500 megabytes of storage, depending on the audio quality. Longer books use more space. Most modern phones and tablets have enough storage for 10 to 20 audiobooks, but this varies based on what else is on your device.
Can I download audiobooks to my car's infotainment system?
Not directly through Audible. However, many car systems support Bluetooth streaming from your phone's Audible app. Some newer vehicles with built-in Audible support may allow downloads through the car's system — check your vehicle's manual or Audible's website for compatibility with your specific car model.
Why does my download keep failing even with a strong internet connection?
Try clearing the Audible app's cache, signing out and back into your account, or reinstalling the app. Sometimes a corrupted app file or an outdated version causes download failures. If problems persist after these steps, contact Audible support with details about your device and the specific audiobook that won't download.