Audible is one of the most popular audiobook platforms in the world, offering millions of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. While listening on mobile devices is convenient, many users still prefer to download Audible books to a PC or Windows computer for offline listening, and backup Audible books to other devices.
However, downloading Audible content on Windows has become increasingly complex. Audible has gradually changed its Windows support, and the downloaded files are protected by DRM, which limits how and where you can play them with a proprietary formats like AAX. In this article, we'll break down the best ways to download Audible books to your PC, comparing official methods, professional converters, and powerful open-source alternatives. Let's dive in!
Part 1. How to Download Audible AudioBooks to PC via Official Ways
Audible provides several official methods to download audiobooks to a PC or Windows computer, including the Audible website, AudibleSync, and the Audible app (now discontinued on Windows). However, it's important to note that all officially downloaded Audible files remain in Audible's proprietary AA or AAX formats and are protected by DRM, which limits playback and transfer options.
Amazon has officially retired the Audible app for Windows in order to streamline its services. This decision was mainly driven by low desktop usage, a strategic shift toward the browser-based Audible Cloud Player, and a stronger focus on mobile platforms (iOS and Android), where most users now listen to audiobooks.
Method 1. Download Audible Books to PC via Audible Website
Audible.com is the official Audible website, allowing you to purchase and download audiobooks directly to your computer without installing additional applications. Before downloading, make sure you have already purchased Audible audiobook with a credit or card, as downloads are unavailable for unowned titles, such as 'Plus Catalog' titles. Now, we will walk you through the detailed steps to make it:
Step 1. Visit the Audible Website
First, open a browser on your PC and navigate to Audible.com. Next, sign in with your Amazon account credentials.
Step 2. Download Audible Books to Your Computer
After logging in, go to Library > Audiobooks, select the audiobook you'd like to download, and then click the "Download" button next to it to download audiobooks from Audible.
Output format: .aa or .aax (DRM-protected)
Once downloaded, you can use iTunes (after authorization) or other Audible-supported players to listen to the AAX files on your computer.
Method 2. Download Audible Audiobooks to PC via AudibleSync
Although the Audible app for Windows is no longer available, Audible has introduced AudibleSync as an official alternative for Windows users. Designed for Windows 10 and Windows 11, AudibleSync allows users to download audiobooks to a PC and sync them with compatible MP3 players.
However, while AudibleSync app is effective for downloading Audible books, it offers limited flexibility for general offline listening. Unlike the Audible Cloud Player or the mobile Audible app, it does not provide a full-featured playback experience for listening to audiobooks directly on a PC, either online or offline.
Key features of AudibleSync:
- Downloads Audible books in AAX format
- Designed primarily for transferring audiobooks to supported MP3 players
- Works on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Now, follow the steps below to learn how to download Audible books to computer using the AudibleSync app:
Step 1. Click the official link to download and install AudibleSync on your PC.
Step 2. Launch AudibleSync and select your marketplace from the bottom-left corner.
Step 3. Click Sign In to log into your Amazon account. Then you will be taken to your Audible library.
Step 4. Access your Audible library and search for the audiobook you want using the top-right search box.
Step 5. Proceed to click on the 'Download' button next to the title. Once the download is complete, the button will change to Delete.
Output format: .aax (DRM-protected)
Notice: If the Download button is missing, it usually means the audiobook hasn't been purchased or is restricted to certain marketplaces (such as the UK, Germany, Australia, France, or Japan). In such cases, using a professional Audible converter may be a more reliable option.
Method 3. Download Audible Books via the Audible App (Limited Availability)
Since July 31, 2022, the Audible app for Windows has been phrased out, which means you cannot install the Audible app for PC on Windows 10 or later anymore. However, users who installed the app before its removal may still be able to download and listen to audiobooks. Additionally, Windows 8 users may still find the Audible app available through the Microsoft Store.
How to Download Audible Books Using the Audible Windows App:
Step 1. Open the Audible app on Windows 10 or 8 and sign in with your Amazon account credentials.
Step 2. Click on the "Library" icon. The Library screen will appear, displaying all audiobooks you bought before.
Step 3. Check for the "three dots" icon next to the title of the Audible book you wish to download.
Step 4. Next, pick the "Download" tab from the dropdown list to begin downloading the audiobook to your PC.
Step 5. Once completed, locate the downloaded files from the app's default storage location.
Output format: .aax (DRM-protected)
If you are using a Mac computer, you can still download the Audible app directly from the Mac App Store and download Audible books to your Mac normally within the app.
Bonus Tip: [Outdated] Download Audible Files to PC via Audible Download Manager
Audible Download Manager, a desktop app developed by Audible, which can be used to download and manage purchased audiobooks from the Audible library. It uses the ADH file (a file format used by Audible) to manage and organize downloaded audiobooks on your computer. The ADH file stands for "Audible Download Helper" and contains metadata information about the downloaded audiobook, such as title, author, and cover art.
But please note that this app is only available on Win versions 7, 8, and 10. If you are using those Windows versions, it is feasible to download Audible audiobooks to PCs via Audible Download Manager.
Step 1. Install Audible Download Manager on Windows 7/8/10
Download and install the Audible Download Manager on your Windows computer from the Microsoft Store. This app will save your Audiobook as a file with the ".aax" extension (also called Enhanced Format). You can customize the General Settings for the app as the below picture displayed.
Step 2. Download Audible Books from the Audible Library
Go to Audible.com and click on the top "Library" tab to find your purchased titles. Then click on the "Download" tab next to the title you want. Then you will get a .adh file.
Step 3. Download ADH File to AA/AAX Books Using Audible Download Manager
Double-click on the .adh file. Then the Audible Download Manager will download it to the AA/AAX book. Once the status changes from "Downloading..." to "Completed", click on the "Find" option next to the title or hit the bottom "Downloads folder" button to open the Audible books on your PC.
Part 2. How to Download Audible Books to PC/Windows Computer via Professional Tools
If you want full control over your Audible audiobooks, using a professional Audible converter is the most practical solution. These tools allow you to download Audible books to a PC as MP3 or other common audio formats, making them playable on almost any device without platform restrictions.
By bypassing Audible's DRM limitations for personal use, you can enjoy your audiobooks on MP3 players, car stereos, smart speakers, or any media player - without relying on the Audible app or internet access. This is a cost-effective way to maintain a local archive of your favorite titles.
Below, we introduce two reliable options for downloading your Audible library to a Windows computer: one is powerful and efficient, while the other is free and open-source.
Tool 1. AudFree Audible Converter (Powerful & Efficient)
For users who value stability, speed, and ease of use, AudFree Audible Converter is highly recommended. It is a professional desktop solution designed to download and convert Audible audiobooks to PC without quality loss, while preserving chapters and metadata for seamless library management.
AudFree Audible Converter supports multiple output formats, including MP3, M4A, M4B, and more, allowing you to choose the best format for different devices and playback scenarios. Thanks to its advanced decoding technology, all ID3 tags and chapter information are retained, making it ideal for users with large audiobook collections.
In addition, this tool fills a major gap left by Audible's official downloads: it allows you to customize audiobook quality on Windows, including bitrate, sample rate, and audio channels - something not possible with the Audible app for Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Output format: LOSSLESS, MP3, M4A, M4B, FLAC, WAV, AIFF
Key Features of AudFree Audible Converter
- Converts Audible AA/AAX files to M4A, MP3, and M4B losslessly
- Removes Audible DRM legally for personal use
- Supports batch conversion at speeds up to 100× faster
- Split large Audible audiobooks by chapters and retains ID3 tags
- Customize output settings such as bitrate, sample rate, and audio channel
- Fully compatible with Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7
How to Download Audible Audiobooks to PC via AudFree Audible Converter
With just a few clicks, AudFree Audible Converter makes it easy to download Audible books to your Windows computer and save them permanently in standard audio formats. To access your Audible library, you still need to sign in with your Audible account and activate the converter.
- Step 1. Launch AudFree Audible Converter and Log In
- Launch AudFree Audible Converter on your Windows PC and activate the full version using your license key. After selecting your region, log in with your Audible account credentials to access the built-in Audible Cloud Player.
- Step 2. Add Audible Books to AudFree Windows Audible Converter
- Browse your Audible library within the built-in player. Select the audiobooks you want, then click '+' > 'Add to List' to import them into the conversion queue. You can also add your entire library at once, as batch conversion is fully supported.
- Step 3. Customize Output Format for Audible Downloads on PC
- Click the Menu icon in the top-right corner and choose Preferences. Under the Conversion tab, select your preferred output format (MP3 is recommended for universal compatibility). You can also adjust advanced settings such as bitrate, sample rate, and audio channels. To organize long audiobooks, hover over a title and click the Split icon to divide it by chapters or time segments.
- Step 4. Convert and Download Audible Books to PC
- Click the Convert button to start downloading and converting your Audible audiobooks. Once completed, go to the Converted section to locate your files. You can now transfer the converted audiobooks to any device or media player for unrestricted Audible books offline listening.
Tool 2. Libation (Free and Open-Source)
For users who prefer a completely free and open-source solution, Libation is a popular choice for downloading Audible audiobooks to a Windows PC. Unlike commercial tools, Libation is community-developed and designed to give users more control over their Audible libraries without any licensing costs.
In reality, Libation works by connecting directly to your Audible account and automatically downloading audiobooks you own. It can remove Audible DRM for personal use and convert audiobooks into widely supported formats, making them accessible on non-Audible devices.
While Libation is powerful, it is primarily geared toward advanced or technically comfortable users, as its interface and setup process are less beginner-friendly compared to professional desktop converters. In addition, compared with tools like AudFree Audible Converter, Libation's conversion speed is significantly slower and heavily dependent on a stable internet connection, especially when processing long audiobooks.
Output format: MP3 and M4B
Key Features of Libation
• Free and open-source Audible downloader
• Downloads audiobooks directly from your Audible library
• Converts Audible files to MP3 or M4B
• Automatically removes DRM for personal offline use
• Preserves chapters and basic metadata
• Compatible with Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7 (also available on macOS and Linux)
How to Download Audible Books to PC/Windows Computer Using Libation
Step 1. Download Libation from its official GitHub repository.
Step 2. Install and launch the program on your Windows computer. And then sign in with your Audible/Amazon account to authorize access.
Step 3. Select your Audible marketplace and sync your audiobook library.
Step 4. Go to 'Settings' > 'Settings...' > 'Audio File Options', here you can choose your preferred output format (MP3 or M4B). You can also adjust bitrate, sample rate, chapter settings, and select a destination folder for the converted audiobooks.
Step 5. Save your settings and return to the main Libation interface. Start the conversion by clicking the traffic light icon in the first column.
The traffic light indicates the conversion status - red means pending, yellow means in progress, and green means the conversion is complete.
Step 6. Once completed, locate the downloaded MP3 or M4B files in your selected output folder.
See also: Libation Audible Converter
Part 3. How to Download Audible Books to PC Free with OpenAudible
OpenAudible is a cross-platform audiobook manager compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. It allows you to sync and download your entire library while providing a clean interface to view track durations, ratings, and genres. The software supports converting files into MP3 or M4B formats; however, these conversion features are exclusive to the full (paid) version. Additionally, OpenAudible offers limited control over output audio quality settings.
While the free version allows you to download your Audible library, the files are saved in their original, protected AAX format. To remove DRM and convert them into open formats, a license is required.
Output format: MP3 and M4B for Paid version; AA/AAX for Free version
Step 1. Visit the OpenAudible website and download its application.
Step 2. Install and launch the OpenAudible app.
Step 3. Click Controls on the top left and select Connect to Audible to log into your Amazon account.
Step 4. Select your Audible regions on the pop-up log-in window and click OK to open the Audible login page. You can input your username and password here.
If it shows an incorrect password warning or other errors, you can tick the "Login with Audible Username (for Legacy users.)" and try to log in again. Audible may send a confirmation to your email at your first connection.
Step 5. Click Controls > Full Audible Library Sync/Quick Audible Library Sync to sync your library to the OpenAudible interface.
Step 6. Right-click the title you want to download and select Download on the menu. Your Audible books will be downloaded in a few minutes. Once downloaded, you can right-click and select Reveal to find the downloaded AAX files.
Part 4. Comparison Table of Ways to Download Audible Book to Windows Computer
With multiple ways available to download Audible books to a Windows PC, choosing the right method can be confusing, especially when each option comes with different limitations in terms of format, DRM, compatibility, and cost.
To help you quickly identify the most suitable solution for your needs, the following comparison table summarizes the official methods, professional tools, and free alternatives, highlighting their key differences at a glance.
| Method | Output Format | DRM Removed | Paid/Free | Pros | Cons | Best For | Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audible Website | AA / AAX | ❌ | Paid (with purchase) | Official and secure; no extra software needed | DRM-protected; only downloadable titles you own | Basic offline listening on PC | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| AudibleSync | AAX | ❌ | Paid (with purchase) | Clean interface; designed for syncing to MP3 players | Windows 10/11 only; limited playback flexibility | Transferring audiobooks to supported devices | Easy | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Audible App (Windows) | AAX | ❌ | Paid (with purchase) | Full Audible experience within the app | Discontinued; unavailable to new users | Existing Windows app users | Very Easy | ⭐⭐ |
| AudFree Audible Converter | MP3, M4A, M4B, FLAC, WAV, AIFF | ✅ | Paid (with lifetime free trial) | DRM removal; high-speed batch conversion; full format control | Free version converts limited audio length | Permanent, unrestricted offline use | Very Easy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Libation | MP3 / M4B | ✅ | Free (Open-source) | Completely free; bulk library downloads | Less intuitive; limited audio customization | Advanced users seeking free solution | Hard | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| OpenAudible (Free) | AAX | ❌ | Free | Easy library management; automatic syncing | DRM remains; conversion requires paid version | Managing Audible collections on PC | Moderate | ⭐⭐ |
Part 5. FAQs on Downloading Audible Books to PC
Is it legal to download Audible books to PC?
Yes, it is legal to download Audible books to a PC using official methods or third-party tools for personal use only. However, redistribution, sharing, or commercial use of Audible content is not permitted.
How can I fix Audible books that won't download to my PC?
Download errors can occur due to outdated software, account sync issues, or server-side glitches. If you are having trouble saving your audiobooks, try these fixes:
✅ Confirm Your Purchase: Ensure the audiobook has been fully purchased and is not just sitting in your cart. Only owned titles (bought with credits or cash) are available for download.
✅ Update Your Software: If you are using AudibleSync, ensure it is updated to the latest version. Additionally, check for pending Windows Updates, as an outdated operating system can occasionally cause security certificate errors during downloads.
✅ Restart the Application: Completely close AudibleSync app, Audible app for Windows, or your browser and relaunch it. This often clears temporary glitches that stall the download process.
✅ Verify Your Connection: Ensure your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is stable. If you are using a VPN or firewall, try disabling it temporarily, as these can sometimes block Audible's download servers.
✅ Clear Browser Cache & Cookies: If downloading directly from the Audible website, clear your browser's cache and cookies. This resolves issues where the "Download" button appears unresponsive.
✅ Use AudFree Audible Books Converter: If standard methods fail, AudFree Audible Converter is a robust alternative. It bypasses common app-related errors by allowing you to download and convert your library into stable, DRM-free formats like MP3.
Can I change the download quality of Audible books on a PC?
Unlike the Audible mobile apps for iOS and Android, which allow users to toggle between 'Standard' and 'High' quality, the official Audible website and AudibleSync tool do not offer manual quality adjustments on PC. The download quality is fixed by default. However, you can bypass these restrictions using AudFree Audible Converter. This professional tool gives you full control over your audio, allowing you to customize the bitrate, sample rate, and output format to suit your preferences.
How do I authorize my PC to play Audible AAX files offline?
Currently, the primary way to play protected AAX files on a Windows computer is through iTunes. To begin, download your audiobook via the Audible website or the AudibleSync tool, then open the file with iTunes. An authorization prompt will appear, requiring you to sign in with your Audible account credentials. Once authorized, you can listen to your books offline within the iTunes library.
However, if you prefer a more flexible playback experience without DRM restrictions, using an Audible Converter is the best way to enjoy your books on any media player.
Do I need an active Audible subscription to download books to my PC?
It depends on the method you use. Even if you cancel your subscription, any titles bought with credits or cash remain in your library. You can still download these purchased books to your Windows PC via the Audible website for permanent access.
If you download audiobooks through the Audible app, an active Audible subscription is required, but this option is mainly available for mobile devices, not Windows PCs.
However, if you already have audiobooks in your Audible library, you don't need an active subscription to download them to a computer. You can use tools like AudFree Audible Converter or Libation to download and save your purchased Audible books to a PC for offline listening.
Alternatively, you can download your owned titles using OpenAudible and then use an online AAX converter (such as kamsker) to convert Audible books to DRM-free formats on your PC. None of these methods require an active Audible subscription, as long as the audiobooks are already in your library.
Where are Audible audiobooks stored on my PC after downloading?
The storage location of Audible audiobooks on your PC depends on how you download them. Below are the most common scenarios:
1. Downloaded from Audible.com (via browser)
If you download an audiobook directly from Audible.com by clicking the 'Download' button, the file is saved to your browser's default download folder, usually:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Downloads
2. Downloaded using AudibleSync
When using AudibleSync (mainly for syncing audiobooks to compatible MP3 players), files are stored in a hidden system folder:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\AudibleSync\downloads
Tip: You may need to enable 'Show hidden files' in Windows File Explorer to access this folder.
3. Downloaded via the old Audible app for Windows
If you still have the old Windows Store app installed and working, downloaded audiobooks are stored in a deeply nested system directory:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\AudibleInc.AudibleforWindowsPhone_xns73kv1ymhp2\LocalState\Content
4. Downloaded using AudFree, Libation, or OpenAudible
If you download Audible books using AudFree Audible Converter, Libation, or OpenAudible, the output location is customizable. You choose the destination folder before downloading or converting, making the files much easier to find and organize.
Conclusion
Downloading Audible books to a PC or Windows computer is entirely possible - but the method you choose matters.
• If you only need official playback, Audible Cloud Player, AudibleSync, or the Audible app for Windows 10 / Windows 11 is sufficient.
• If you want MP3 files, device freedom, and permanent access, professional tools like AudFree Audible Converter are the best choice.
• If you prefer free or open-source solutions, Libation offer alternatives with varying limitations.
By understanding these options, you can choose the most suitable way to download Audible audiobooks to your PC/Windows computer and enjoy them anytime, anywhere - on your terms.
Ivan Scott
Staff Editor
