In today's audiobook world, Audible dominates with its vast library encoded in .aa, .aax, and the newer .aaxc formats, all protected by DRM. Meanwhile, Apple Books (formerly iBooks) serves as Apple's native app for reading and listening across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.
For users who prefer the seamless experience of Apple Books, transferring Audible titles isn't straightforward due to format and DRM restrictions. This guide explains how to add, import, and listen to Audible books on Apple Books, covering both the official method and a DRM-free solution using AudFree Audible Converter. By the end, you'll know exactly how to make your Audible audiobooks compatible with Apple Books - easily and permanently.
Part 1. Can You Listen to Audible Books on Apple Books?
The short answer is yes, you can - but it's not always straightforward. Audible audiobooks are protected by Amazon's DRM (Digital Rights Management) and are typically delivered in proprietary formats such as AA/AAX, or AAXC. Meanwhile, Apple Books primarily supports audiobooks in M4B and MP3 formats. Because of this difference in both DRM protection and file structure, whether you can play Audible books on Apple Books depends on which file format you have and which device (Mac or iPhone/iPad) you're using. Understanding these format differences is essential to avoid playback issues.
Audible Audiobook Formats vs. Apple Books Formats
Audible audiobooks are not provided in universal audio formats. Instead, they use:
- AA and AAX: These formats are commonly downloaded from Audible on desktop platforms. They are DRM-protected but can be recognized by Apple's desktop ecosystem (iTunes/Apple Books/Finder) once your Audible account is authorized.
- AAXC: This is the newer encrypted format typically downloaded directly through the Audible app on iPhone/iPad. This format is tightly locked and cannot be imported or played in Apple Books.
On the other hand, Apple Books supports:
- M4B: The standard audiobook format for Apple devices, supporting chapters and bookmarks.
- MP3: A universal audio format supported by most players, though it does not support chapter markers by default.
Note: AAXC files downloaded from the Audible mobile app cannot be added to Apple Books. However, AA and AAX files downloaded from your Audible library on a Mac or PC can be imported after authorizing your Audible account.
In the next section, we'll walk you through the official process to import AA/AAX Audible books into Apple Books on Mac, and later show how to play them on iPhone and iPad.
Part 2. How to Add Audible Books to Apple Books Officially [Mac/iOS]
The official, supported method of adding Audible books to the Apple Books app relies on downloading the audiobook file on your computer and then authorizing playback through your Audible account. This method works because Apple Books (formerly iTunes) can verify ownership through Audible's authorization system.
Note: If you are running macOS 10.14 Mojave or earlier, Audible audiobooks are managed and played in iTunes. For macOS 10.15 Catalina or later, Apple has separated audiobooks into the Apple Books app, and this is where your Audible titles will appear once imported.
See also: How to Add Audiobooks to iTunes
How to Import Audible Books to Apple Books for Mac (macOS 10.15 Catalina or Later)
This method requires downloading your book directly from Audible's website to your Mac in .aa or .aax format.
Step 1. Visit Audible.com and sign in. Click the Library tab at the top.
Step 2. Find the audiobook you want and click Download. The file will save as .aa or .aax in your Downloads folder.
Step 3. Open Finder and locate the downloaded file. Double-click it - it will automatically open in Apple Books.
Step 4. When prompted, click Authorize to link Apple Books with your Audible account. Enter the Amazon email address and password associated with your Audible subscription.
Step 5. After authorization, the audiobook will appear in the Audiobooks section of Apple Books. You can now play and manage it like any other Apple Books audiobook.
Now that the audiobook is in Apple Books on your Mac, the next step is transferring it to your iPhone or iPad if needed.
How to Move Audible Books to Apple Books on iPhone/iPad
Before transferring, make sure the Audible book has already been imported into Apple Books on your Mac.
See also: How to Download Audible Audiobooks to PC
Method 1. Transfer via Finder (USB Cable)
Step 1. Connect your iPhone/iPad to your Mac using a USB cable.
Step 2. Open Finder and select your device from the left sidebar.
Step 3. Go to the Books tab and check Sync audiobooks to your device.
Step 4. Choose Selected audiobooks and select the Audible titles you imported earlier. Click Apply to sync.
Method 2. Transfer via AirDrop
Step 1. Open Apple Books on your Mac and locate the audiobook in your library.
Step 2. Right-click the audiobook and select Share > AirDrop.
Step 3. Choose your iPhone/iPad from the AirDrop panel.
Step 4. Accept the transfer on your device. The file will open automatically in Apple Books.
Method 3. Transfer via iCloud Drive
Step 1. Move the converted or authorized Audible audiobook into your iCloud Drive folder.
Step 2. On your iPhone/iPad, open the Files app and navigate to iCloud Drive.
Step 3. Find the audiobook file and tap it.
Step 4. Tap the Share button > Open in Apple Books, and it will import instantly.
Method 4. Transfer via Email (Small Files Only)
Step 1. Locate the audiobook file in Finder.
Step 2. Attach it to an email and send it to yourself.
Step 3. Open the email on your iPhone/iPad.
Step 4. Tap the attachment and select Open in Apple Books.
⚠️ Limitations of the Official Method
❌ DRM-protected AAXC files from the Audible mobile app cannot be imported.
❌ Playback requires ongoing Audible authorization (expired login = playback fails).
❌ Syncing and file management are limited to Apple's ecosystem processes.
If you prefer full control, offline playback, and no authorization requirements, continue to Part 3 to learn how to convert Audible files to DRM-free MP3 or M4B for seamless Apple Books playback.
Part 3. How to Import Audible to Apple Books in DRM-Free Format
Because there are many limitations to importing Audible books into Apple Books through the official method, many Apple users often feel annoyed and frustrated when trying to do so. In reality, the most effective way to play Audible on Apple Books is by converting your audiobooks into DRM-free formats such as M4B or MP3.
A reliable solution for this is AudFree Audible Converter, which can easily remove Audible DRM and convert your audiobooks into Apple-compatible formats without any loss of sound quality.
Key Features of AudFree Audible Converter
- Supports batch conversion at 100x faster speed
- Converts Audible books to MP3, M4B, and other formats compatible with Apple Books
- Download Audible books for offline listening on any device
- Retains chapter information, ID3 tags, and original sound quality
How to Convert Audible Books to Apple Books-Compatible Audio Formats on Mac
First, download the Mac version of AudFree Audible Converter by clicking the Download button above. After installation, open the program. Make sure you have already downloaded your Audible AAX files to your Mac before starting the conversion process.
- Step 1Add Audible AA/AAX audiobooks to AudFree
- Launch AudFree Audible Converter on your Mac and click the Add icon to import your downloaded Audible .aa or .aax files from the Downloads folder. You can also drag and drop multiple files at once. Additionally, you can set AudFree to split Audible audiobooks by chapters, time duration, or segments by clicking Edit.
- Step 2Customize output format for Audible on Mac
- Click the Format icon in the bottom-right corner to choose your preferred output format such as MP3, M4B, FLAC, or WAV. You can also adjust parameters like codec, sample rate, and bitrate for better audio quality.
See also: How to Convert Audible AAX to M4B
- Step 3Convert and download Audible books to Mac
- Click the Convert button to begin the conversion process. Once finished, open the History folder to access your converted DRM-free audiobooks. You can then transfer them from your Mac to any device, including your iPhone or iPad.
See also: Where Are Audible Books Stored on Android and More Devices
- Step 4Import converted Audible books into Apple Books
- Open Apple Books, then go to File > Add to Library... and select the converted M4B or MP3 files from your output folder. They'll instantly appear in your Audiobooks or Library section - fully playable, editable, and completely free from DRM restrictions.
Benefits of DRM-Free Audible Conversion for Apple Books via AudFree
✔ Offline playback without signing in to your Audible account.
✔ Permanent access and ownership of your purchased audiobooks.
✔ Full compatibility across all Apple devices.
✔ Easier library organization and management within Apple Books.
By following this method, you can enjoy the same Audible audiobooks seamlessly within Apple Books - even after your Audible subscription expires.
Part 4. FAQs About Transferring Audible Books to Apple Books
Why won't my Audible audiobook play in Apple Books?
If your authorized Audible audiobooks (AA/AAX) won't play in Apple Books, the issue is most likely related to Audible account authorization. To fix this, open the Books app on your Mac, go to the top menu bar, and select Store > Authorizations > Deauthorize Audible Account. Then reauthorize your account using the correct Audible login credentials. After that, double-click the AA or AAX file again - it should now play properly within Apple Books.
How to fix audio format incompatibility between Audible and Apple Books?
The only reliable and permanent way to fix audio format incompatibility is to remove Audible DRM and convert your audiobooks to Apple-compatible formats such as M4B or MP3. Once converted, simply open Apple Books, choose File > Add to Library, and import the converted files. This ensures your audiobooks play smoothly without authorization errors or format restrictions.
Can I still play Audible books on Apple Books if my Audible credentials have expired?
No, if you rely on the official import method (linked with your Audible account), playback requires valid credentials. Once your Audible subscription or login expires, access may be lost. However, after converting the Audble books into DRM-free files using AudFree Audible Converter, you can keep and play them permanently in Apple Books - no login required.
Can I sync listening progress between Audible and Apple Books?
Unfortunately, syncing playback progress between Audible and Apple Books isn't supported. Each app maintains its own independent bookmarks and playback data. Once you switch to playing DRM-free audiobooks in Apple Books, your progress and notes will be stored exclusively within the Apple Books app.
What's the best format for converting Audible books for Apple Books?
The best format for Audible to Apple Books conversion is M4B, Apple's native audiobook format. It preserves chapter markers, bookmarks, and variable playback speed. If you prefer wider compatibility across multiple players or devices, MP3 is also an excellent choice.
Conclusion
Integrating your extensive Audible library with the streamlined simplicity of the Apple Books application is entirely achievable, though it requires navigating Apple and Amazon's competing ecosystems. By following this complete guide, you can successfully transfer your Audible books to Apple Books, ensuring a seamless, high-quality, and enjoyable listening experience within your preferred Apple ecosystem.
Ivan Scott
Staff Editor
