"The audiobooks I downloaded from the Audible mobile app appear to be encoded as AAXC files. And they can be played in Audible media player only. What's going on?" - Question from Reddit
Indeed, many people have encountered the same situation. Audiobooks downloaded from the Audible mobile app are now encoded as AAXC files, a format wrapped in strict DRM protection. If you want to listen to audiobooks on an MP3 player or other devices, you need to convert AAXC to MP3 first.
To answer your confusion, here in this post, we'll explain what Audible AAXC is and discuss why Audible adopts this format. Of course, we will describe an effective way to help you convert AAXC files to MP3 on Mac and Windows. In this case, you can transfer all Audible audiobooks to Android, iPhone and other devices for better playback.

Part 1. Know More about AAXC File
What Is Audible AAXC File?
The AAXC format is the new file format introduced in the Audible app for Android and iOS on June 20, 2019. It is an enhanced format of AAX or AA and it is still protected by Digital Rights Management, which prevents users from sharing audiobooks among different devices. All audiobook files downloaded from the Audible mobile app are now transferred to AAXC instead of the AA/AAX format. All AAXC files are only compatible with Android or iOS devices that support the Audible app.
The "C" in AAXC essentially stands for copyright or advanced encryption. This advanced DRM protection directly links downloaded files to your specific mobile device and your valid Audible account. Because the decryption key is hidden deep within your smartphone's application data, moving the original AAXC file to another device renders it completely unreadable.
It is this strict encryption that makes it impossible for standard audio converters to easily convert files to other formats.
Why Does Audible Use AAXC Format?
It is beneficial for Audible to protect audiobooks with this new AAXC format. It provides extra address protection, making it increasingly difficult to convert AAXC to MP3 and other file formats. Put another way, it will be a daunting task to download and transfer Audible AAXC files to more devices, not to mention those that do not support the Audible app. Even if you change the extended file format, AAXC file will still prevent you from playing them in non-Audible media players.
View also: How to Remove DRM from Audible Audiobooks
Can You Convert Audible AAXC to MP3 Online Free?
No. Online audio converters like Aconvert, etc. can't bypass Audible's advanced DRM protection. If you upload an AAXC file to these websites, they will reject the file or output a blank MP3 file. Furthermore, audiobook files are typically large, exceeding 500MB, while most free online converters have strict file size limits, usually between 40MB and 50MB. Therefore, there is no free online AAXC converter.
How to Convert AAXC to AAX Officially?
From the above, we know that it is impossible to change the original Audible AAXC file type. Fortunately, the AAXC format is only present in downloaded audiobooks from the mobile Audible app. The Audible audiobooks obtained from the desktop app are still saved in the AA/AAX format. So, instead of using an AAXC to AAX converter, you can directly get Audible audiobooks download of the same title in AAX format from the desktop app.

Part 2. How to Convert AAXC to MP3 on Mac/PC
So, the best workaround is to download AAX files and convert them to MP3 instead of AAXC files. You can download AA/AAX audiobooks of the same title from the Audible website on your computer. Then it is simple to perform format conversion using any Audible to MP3 converter.
AudFree Audible Converter is undoubtedly the first choice as an Audible AAXC to MP3 converter. It is well-designed to unlock the protection of Audible AA/AAX. Also, it can convert Audible to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, etc. with 100% high quality and full ID3 tags.
Adopting the latest technology, it can run at a 100X faster speed during the conversion process. Meanwhile, there are various built-in functions for you to edit your downloaded Audible MP3 files. For example, you can manually adjust the volume, speed and pitch of the audio. For your listening convenience, you can split large Audible audiobooks into chapters. After that, you can get local Audible audiobooks on computer and transfer them to other devices for playing without connecting to the internet.
AudFree Audible Converter
- Losslessly convert AAX to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, M4B, etc.
- Release protection from Audible audiobooks
- Split Audible audiobooks into several small segments
- Listen to Audible MP3 audiobooks on any device and player
How to Download Audible Audiobooks to Computer
Now, follow the tutorial below to convert AAX files to MP3 step by step with the help of AudFree Audible Converter.
- Step 1. Import Audible Audiobooks to AudFree Audible Converter

- Open AudFree Audible AAXC to MP3 converter. Then you can find and import Audible audiobooks for conversion from the built-in Audible web player. Note that you don't need to download Audible books to your library in advance.
- Step 2. Redefine Audible Output Format as MP3

- On Mac, please click "AudFree Audible Converter" on the top left, and choose Preferences, then a new setting window will appear. Here, you can customize the Audible output format as MP3. If necessary, you can also choose FLAC, M4A, WAV, or other formats shown on the screen as a target one. Furthermore, the audio quality can be reset by changing the channel, sample rate, or bit rate. You can also click the 'Split' icon to split audiobooks by chapters, etc.
- Step 3. Convert Audible AAXC to MP3 on Windows/Mac

- Just press the huge "Convert" button in the lower-right corner on the Converting list window, and the program will start converting the open-source Audible AAXC to MP3. The conversion will not last long because this AAXC converter runs at 100X faster speed in ideal conditions. Once converted, then go back to the main page and click the "Converted" icon to get your Audible MP3 files.
How to Transfer Audible MP3 Files to Android/iPhone
If you'd like to play Audible AAXC audiobooks via different music players, you can now transfer converted AAXC to MP3 files to your desired devices. Here we will show you how to do that via iPhone or Android device. Please connect your Android or iOS device to your computer via a USB cable.
For Android: You can choose the 'File Transfer' mode on your Android devices, and copy and paste Audible files from your computer to the Audiobook folder on your Android.
View also: How to Play Audible Audiobooks on Android
For iPhone: You can use iTunes to sync Audible audiobooks to your iPhone. Open the iTunes, click the device icon, and select 'Music' from the left sidebar. You can click the 'Sync Music' > 'Apply' button to start the syncing process.
Part 3. FAQs about Converting AAXC to MP3
Which Is AAXC Player?
The official AAXC player to play AAXC files is Audible app for iOS and Android. But you can also convert .aaxc file to MP3 tracks with a third-party converter like AudFree Audible Converter and play them in any media player.
Can I Convert Audible AAXC to MP3 for Free?
No, you can't directly convert AAXC to MP3 for free. The best way is to use AudFree Audible Converter to download Audible audiobooks to computer as AAX files and then convert them to MP3 for use.
Why Convert Audible AAXC to MP3?
Audible AAXC books are protected by Digital Rights Management and cannot be played on other players or devices. While MP3 is compatible with most players. Besides, MP3 has a small size and can be shared on other platforms. If you want to listen to Audible AAXC books on any device, it is the best choice to do format conversion.
Can I Convert AAXC to MP3 in VLC?
No. Now, VLC media player can't support to convert AAXC files.
What Is the Difference Between AAX and AAXC Files?
AAX and AAXC are both file extensions used for Audible audiobooks. But they differ in terms of the technology of digital rights management protection. The biggest difference between AAX and AAXC is that AAXC has a newer and better DRM system. It provides better security and controls over the distribution of audiobooks.
How Can I Convert AAXC Files to MP3 on Linux?
On Linux, you can use the AAXtoMP3 tool from GitHub to convert Audible AAXC file to MP3 audio format. You can get it by visiting https://github.com/KrumpetPirate/AAXtoMP3.
Is There an AAXC to MP3 Converter for Android/iOS?
No, there is no standalone application or online converter that can convert AAXC to MP3 on a mobile device.
Part 4. In Conclusion
Now, you can successfully download and convert AAXC to MP3 for better playback. With AudFree Audible Audiobook Converter, you can save Audible books to MP3 and play them offline on Android, iOS or other devices without any limitations.
View also: How to Listen to Audible Audiobooks Offline
Ivan Scott
Staff Editor




