How to Use Audible on Apple CarPlay in 2025: Ultimate Guide

Part 1. Why Choose Audible on Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay is a smart and intuitive in-car system, which can seamlessly integrate your iPhone with your vehicle's infotainment display. It allows you to access navigation, music, calls, and messages hands-free using Siri voice control. With support for various apps like Apple Maps, Spotify, and Audible, CarPlay enhances both convenience and safety, making every drive smoother and more enjoyable.

Audible, Amazon's leading audiobook platform, offers a vast library of over 200,000 titles across various genres, from bestsellers to exclusive originals. With features like seamless syncing across devices, offline listening, and customizable narration speed, it provides a flexible and immersive reading experience.

Apple CarPlay transforms your car's dashboard into a smart, voice-controlled hub. Their goals, both Apple CarPlay and Audible, are to make your journey not only more enjoyable but also safer and more convenient.

Pair Apple CarPlay with Audible's vast library, and you get:

Features	Apple CarPlay Contribution	Audible Contribution	User Benefit Scenario
Hands-Free Safety	Siri voice control integration	Voice commands (play/pause/skip)	Safe driving without manual distractions
Seamless Dashboard Integration	Direct access via car screen interface	Syncs with personal Audible library	Quick content access, reduces phone use
Offline Listening	Local audio playback support	Pre-download titles for offline use	Uninterrupted entertainment in areas with no cellular coverage

Part 2. How to Setup Audible on Apple CarPlay

Setting up Audible and Apple CarPlay is a quick, simple and straightforward process. Once everything is in place, you can effortlessly listen to your favorite audiobooks while driving, keeping your hands on the wheel and your attention on the road.

Requirements:

• iPhone 5 or newer (iOS 7.1 or later).

• Apple CarPlay-enabled vehicle (wired or wireless).

• Latest Audible app installed.

Step-by-Step Setup:

Step 1. Connect Your iPhone: Use a Lightning/USB Cable-C to connect your iPhone to your vehicle (some cars enable wireless pairing via Bluetooth).

Step 2. Launch CarPlay: If the CarPlay Home screen doesn't pop out after the last step, tap the CarPlay icon on your car's display.

Step 3. Open Audible: Navigate to the Audible app on the CarPlay home screen.

Step 4. Select Your Audiobook: Browse your library and start playback.

Tips: Enable "Allow CarPlay While Locked" in iPhone settings to prevent interruptions.

Part 3. Ways to Use Audible on Apple CarPlay and Their Shortcomings

How to use Audible on Apple CarPlay? There are several ways and each method has pros and cons: Bluetooth is easy but can drop, and cable is stable but too cumbersome. Want to skip chapters or go wireless? Let's pick the best fit for you. Below, we'll compare real-life pros, cons, and quick fixes to keep your audiobooks rolling smoothly.

Method 1. Bluetooth Streaming (Limited but Convenient)

For the first way to connect Audible to Apple CarPlay, you can try the following steps:

Step 1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone.

Step 2. At the same time, turn on the Bluetooth of your car.

Step 3. Your iPhone should automatically detect the car's Apple CarPlay system if it's discoverable.

Step 4. For the first-time pairing, it requires manual verification (e.g., confirming a PIN on both devices). Once paired, devices typically reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is on and in range.

Step 5. After connecting, you can open the Audible app on your phone and start playing an audiobook on Audible.

View also: Play Audible Through Bluetooth on Car/Headphones/Speakers

Limitations:

1. No CarPlay interface integration: You can't skip chapters or adjust playback via the dashboard.

2. Audio interruptions from calls or notifications.

3. Drains phone battery faster.

Tip: Some cars require wired USB connections for CarPlay, even if Bluetooth is used for calls/audio.

Method 2. USB Connection (Cumbersome but Stable)

While Bluetooth streaming offers wireless convenience, its limitations - such as audio interruptions and lack of CarPlay integration - can frustrate users who desire seamless control. For drivers prioritizing stable audio quality and direct hardware integration, a wired USB connection provides a more reliable alternative. Though less flexible than Bluetooth, this method ensures uninterrupted playback and avoids battery drain. Below is a step-by-step guide for using Audible via USB with Apple CarPlay, along with its practical drawbacks.

Step 1. Use a certified USB cable to connect your iPhone to your car's USB port (often located in the dashboard or center console).

Step 2. Turn on your car's ignition to activate Apple CarPlay. If CarPlay doesnt launch automatically, manually select it from your car's infotainment menu.

Step 3. Unlock your iPhone and grant permission to trust the connected device (required only for first-time setups).

Step 4. Open the Audible app on your iPhone. Navigate to your library and start playing an audiobook.

Step 5. Control playback using your car's touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, or voice commands (e.g., Siri).

Limitations:

1. Restricted mobility: The USB cable physically tethers your phone to the car, making it inconvenient for passengers to handle the device.

2. No metadata display: While audio plays through the car's speakers, the CarPlay screen won't show book titles, chapter names, or progress bars.

3. Dependence on phone screen: To browse or switch audiobooks, you must interact directly with your iPhone - the CarPlay interface only supports basic play/pause/skip functions.

Tip: Use a high-quality USB cable to avoid connection drops, and keep your iPhone charged during long drives to prevent overheating.

Method 3. AudFree Audible Converter + A USB Driver (Flexible and Efficient)

While Methods 1 and 2 rely on direct phone-to-car interactions, they sacrifice critical features like metadata visibility and granular playback control. For users, seeking a middle ground between convenience and functionality, Method 3 offers a workaround by decoupling Audible from its app restrictions. By converting audiobooks to universal formats and leveraging USB storage, you regain control over metadata and navigation - albeit with added setup steps. Below is how to implement this hybrid solution and its unique benefits.

Step 1. Convert Audible Audiobooks

First download AudFree Audible Converter on your PC/Mac. Second, download any audiobooks or podcasts you like on Audible, and save them in a local folder. Import AA/AAX files from the folder to AudFree Audible Converter, and choose the output format (e.g., MP3). Choose a folder for the output audio files. After that, you literally can edit your audio by splitting it by chapter, effect, and tags. Start the conversion in one or batch, which are both okay. The output files have been saved in a common format in the local folder you chose.

View also: User Guide of AudFree Audible Converter

Step 2. Transfer Files via USB

Connect a USB drive to your computer, copy the converted audiobooks to the drive, and then plug it into your car's USB port.

Step 3. Use Audible on Apple CarPlay

On your car's infotainment system, select the USB drive as the audio source. Browse and play audiobooks directly through the CarPlay interface when you're driving.

Advantages:

1. Full Metadata Support

Converted files retain book titles, chapters, and cover art, displayed on the CarPlay screen.

2. No Phone Dependency

Play audiobooks offline without draining your phone's battery or requiring Bluetooth.

3. 100X Conversion Speed in Batch

Convert entire libraries rapidly, saving time for users with large audiobook collections.

4. Customizable Export Options & Audio Quality

Export audiobooks in 17+ formats (Lossless: FLAC, WAV, AIFF, APE, WMA; Compressed: MP3, AAC, M4A, AC3, OGG, M4B, etc.). Adjust bitrate (16-512 kbps) and sample rate (8kHz-48kHz) for optimal balance between file size and sound fidelity.

Tips: Need manual file management and require periodic transfers and organization of USB files.

Part 4. Why Does Audible Stop Working on Apple CarPlay?

If you've ever wondered, "Why can't I play my Audible books on Apple CarPlay?" or "How to listen to my audiobooks without disruption when I'm driving?", or " Why my Audible does not work on my Apple Carplay?", you're not alone. According to dates in 2024, many drivers encounter multiple problems when they are on the road, here are some possible reasons:

1. Unstable Connections: Faulty USB cables or weak Bluetooth.

2. Outdated Apps: Bugs in older Audible versions.

3. DRM Conflicts: Audible's AA/AAX files may freeze on CarPlay.

4. iOS-CarPlay Glitches: Updates can disrupt app compatibility.

Solutions for Audible Apple CarPlay Issues

Before diving into complex fixes, start with foundational checks. Many issues stem from simple connectivity or software mismatches that can be resolved in minutes.

Fix 1: Verify Cable Integrity & Certification

Check if your USB cable is Apple-certified and undamaged. If issues persist, replace it with another certified cable.

Fix 2: Test Wireless Connectivity

Switch from wired to wireless CarPlay (if supported) to isolate cable-related problems.

Fix 3: Restart Devices

Restart both your iPhone and car stereo to clear temporary software glitches.

Fix 4: Reset Bluetooth & Update Systems

If automatic reconnection fails, disable/re-enable Bluetooth on both devices. Ensure iOS and car firmware are updated to the latest versions.

Fix 5: Eliminate DRM Conflicts via AudFree Audible Converter (Permanent Solution)

When basic fixes fail, DRM restrictions and format incompatibility are often the root causes. Bluetooth and wired connections have inherent limitations:

• Bluetooth: Prone to audio interruptions and lacks CarPlay controls.

• USB Cable: Restricts mobility and hides metadata.

AudFree Audible Converter resolves these issues by:

1. Converting AA/AAX to Universal Formats: Output MP3, FLAC, M4B, etc., fully compatible with CarPlay.

2. Preserving Metadata: Retain chapters, bookmarks, and author details on the CarPlay interface.

3. Batch Processing: Convert 10+ files simultaneously at 100x speed, ideal for large libraries.

Part 5. FAQs About Audible Apple CarPlay

Q1: Why does Audible pause when using Audible on Apple CarPlay?

A: Many reasons, such as iOS prioritizes navigation alerts. You can avoid it by converting Audible to MP3 and playing via USB.

Q2: Can I use Audible on Apple CarPlay without an iPhone?

A: No, you can't put audiobooks on MP3 player from Audible as they are protected. So, first you need to convert Audible audiobooks to plain audio formats via AudFree Audible Converter. Then you can transfer audiobooks to any MP3 player for playback.

Q3: Why is Audible not playing on CarPlay?

A: No, CarPlay requires an iPhone. For Android users, we recommend you try Android Auto.

In Conclusion

Audible and Apple CarPlay are a match made for road trips, but DRM and connectivity issues can sour the ride. With AudFree Audible Converter, you'll unlock seamless, flexible listening in any car at any time. Whether you're troubleshooting or prepping for a cross-country drive, this tool ensures your audiobooks play flawlessly every time.

Ready to Transform Your Commute? Download AudFree today and enjoy Audible on CarPlay, DRM-free and interruption-proof.