How to Listen to Audible Offline on Android/iOS/Windows/Mac [Latest]

By Ivan Scott Updated on 2025-09-25 / Update for Audiobook Tips

With the fast pace of modern life, more and more people are turning to audiobooks. Among all these platforms, Audible stands out due to its vast catalog and exclusive titles. This has led to a surge of related questions on major forums like Reddit and Quora, such as, "Can you listen to Audible offline?" or "Is there an Audible offline mode?" If you're one of them, you won't miss this guide! In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to get Audible offline playback, helping you maximize your Audible listening experience on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux while also providing solutions to common problems.

listen to audible offline

Part 1. Can You Listen to Audible Offline?

Yes, you can listen to Audible offline. Once you have a subscription to Audible Plus or Premium Plus, or have purchased an Audible audiobook, you can download titles to your library for offline listening. The downloaded file becomes available for access even when there is no internet connection.

View also: How to Buy Audible Audiobooks Without Membership

How Audible Offline Listening Works:

Mobile devices (Android/iOS): When you download an audiobook via the Audible app, it is stored locally on your device. The app encrypts the files to prevent unauthorized access, but you can listen to them without an active internet connection.

Desktop (Windows/Mac/Linux): Audible also supports offline playback on desktop players, where audiobooks are downloaded directly to the computer using third-party tools. Alternatively, you can use a player that supports the AA/AAX audio format to play Audible books offline directly.

Whether you're looking for a simple way to play Audible offline, a method to access your library on multiple devices, or a solution to keep your audiobooks permanently (skip to Part 4), the following sections will provide the answers you need.

Part 2. How to Listen to Audible Offline on Android/iPhone

In reality, most users frequently access Audible audiobooks on their phones. As mentioned earlier, Audible provides an offline mode within its official app for both Android and iPhone users. In this section, we'll guide you through the steps to download Audible books for offline listening on Android and iPhone devices.

How to Listen to Audible Without Internet on Android/iPhone

Step 1. Open the Audible app on your Android or iPhone, and tap the 'Library' tab located at the bottom navigation bar.

Step 2. Tap on 'All' > 'All Titles' from the top of the screen to view all your audiobooks.

Step 3. Select the cover art of the audiobook you wish to download, or tap the three dots on the right side of the screen and select 'Download' from the options to start the download.

download and listen to audible books offline on android

After completing these steps on your iPhone or Android device, the Audible audiobooks will be downloaded to your library. To access them offline, navigate to the 'Downloaded' section in your Audible Library, and select the audiobook you want to listen to.

Note: Android users can find downloaded Audible books in their local folder, whereas iOS does not provide direct access to the file system.

find downloaded audible offline files on android

View also: How to Listen to Audible on Android Phone

View also: How to Listen to Audible on iPhone

Part 3. How to Get Audible Offline Playback on Windows/Mac/Linux

Although the Audible app is not available for desktop PCs (Windows, Mac, and Linux), there are several other ways to enjoy Audible offline on your computer. You can first download Audible books to your PC in AA or AAX, and then play them using popular desktop tools such as iTunes, VLC Media Player, Audible Manager, and Apple Books. Let's explore each method step by step.

Note: First, download the AA/AAX files from the Audible website. You can only download books you've purchased or those included in your Plus or Premium catalog.

download audible books on audible website

1. Play Audible AA/AAX Offline via iTunes (For Windows/macOS 10.14 or Earlier)

iTunes can be used to play Audible books offline, but this method works best for Windows or macOS (10.14 or earlier). Here's how you can do it:

Step 1. After downloading the AA or AAX audiobooks from Audible, navigate to the folder where they are stored on your PC.

Step 2. Right-click on the audiobook and select "Open with" and choose iTunes. A prompt will appear asking you to authorize the computer.

authorize computer on itunes for listening to audible offline on mac

Step 3. Click on 'Yes' to authorize the computer by entering your Audible account details.

Step 4. Once authorized, you can use iTunes to play Audible books offline.

2. Play Audible AA Offline via VLC Media Player (For Windows/macOS/Linux)

If you're looking for a free and cross-platform solution, VLC Media Player is an excellent option to play Audible audiobooks offline. It's compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Android and iOS devices.

Note: This player is limited to playing Audible's .aa format. The .aax format, which has a higher level of DRM encryption, is not supported.

import downloaded audible books to vlc

Step 1. Download and install VLC Media Player on your device (Windows, Mac, or Linux).

Step 2. Locate the downloaded audiobooks, right-click on the file, and select "Open with VLC".

Step 3. Once opened, you can enjoy your Audible books offline through VLC Media Player.

3. Play Audible AA/AAX Offline via Audible Manager (For Windows)

For Windows users, Audible Manager is an official software tool to manage and play Audible books offline.

Step 1. Download and install Audible Manager on your PC.

Step 2. In Audible Manager, click on the 'File' tab at the top left, then choose 'Add Audio Files' from the drop-down menu. A new window will open, allowing you to search for and select your downloaded Audible audiobooks.

add audible audio files to audible manager

Step 3. Select the Audible audiobooks you want to add to Audible Manager. Once added, the books will be available for offline listening directly in the app.

use audible offline on pc via audible manager

4. Play Audible AA/AAX Offline via Apple Books (For macOS 10.15 Catalina and Later)

Apple Books is another effective tool for macOS users to listen to Audible audiobooks offline. This method works with macOS 10.15 Catalina or later versions.

Step 1. Right-click the Audible audiobook you want to listen to and choose 'Open with' > 'Books (default)' from the options.

open audible books on apple books app

Step 2. If you haven't already authorized your computer, a pop-up window will appear asking you to sign in with your Audible account details. Click 'Yes' > 'Activate Now' to proceed.

authorize this computer for audible on apple books app on mac

Step 3. Once authorized, the Audible books will automatically import into the Apple Books app, and you can enjoy Audible audiobook offline on Apple Books app.

View also: Hoe to Download Audible Books to Mac

Part 4. How to Listen to Audible Books Offline Anywhere

While the methods mentioned above may work for most users, some may face limitations, especially when trying to play Audible audiobooks on unsupported devices like Sony Walkman, iPod Shuffle, SanDisk Sansa, or other popular MP3 players. If you're looking to listen to Audible audiobooks offline on devices that do not support the Audible app, or you simply want to bypass the app altogether, the AudFree Audible Audiobook Converter offers a perfect solution. This tool allows users to convert Audible audiobooks into various formats like MP3, FLAC, WAV, and others, making it easier to play them on almost any device, even those that do not support the Audible app.

The AudFree Audible Audiobook Converter can convert Audible AAX files to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, Lossless, M4A, and M4B formats, while maintaining the original quality and preserving ID3 tags. With this tool, you can download and keep Audible books locally forever and transfer them to other devices for offline playback without relying on the Audible app or a subscription.

AudFree Audible Audiobook Converter

audfree audible audiobook converter
  • Convert AA/AAX to MP3, WAV, AIFF, M4A, FLAC, etc. at 100X speed
  • Play Audible audiobooks offline on any device without the Audible app
  • Keep ID3 tags, chapters, and other metadata
  • Convert Audible audiobooks in batches at up to 100x faster speed

How to Download Audible Books for Offline Listening on Any Device

To start, you can download the AudFree Audible Converter by clicking on the Download button above. Once installed, you can download your favorite Audible books using your Audible account. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to download, convert, and listen to Audible audiobooks offline on any device.

Step 1Add Audible Audiobooks to AudFree Audible Converter
add audible audiobooks to audfree
Open the AudFree Audible Converter on your computer. Then, locate the Audible audiobooks you wish to download. Click the '+' icon to add the audiobooks to the conversion list in AudFree Audible Converter.
Step 2Set the Audible Output Format to MP3/M4B
set audible book as mp3
Since MP3 is universally supported by most devices, we recommend setting the output format to MP3. If you prefer to keep more chapter info, M4B is also a good choice. To adjust settings, navigate to 'Menu' > 'Preferences' > 'Conversion' window. Here, you can customize audio parameters like bitrate, sample rate, and audio channel. Additionally, if you'd like to split audiobooks by chapters, simply click the 'Split' icon in the conversion window to enable this feature.
Step 3Download Audible Books for Offline Playback
download audible books offline
Click the big 'Convert' button at the bottom-right corner. AudFree Audible Audiobook Converter will start converting and downloading Audible audiobooks to the target location you've set. The conversion time depends on the number of files being processed. Once done, you can find your converted Audible books in the Converted section of the software.

Step 4Listen to Audible Offline Anywhere
listen to audible offline via usb cable
To listen to Audible books offline on any device, connect the device (e.g., MP3 player, Apple Watch, Kindle Fire) to your computer using a USB cable, Bluetooth, or other supported method. After connecting, you can drag and drop the converted Audible books from your computer into the appropriate folder on the device for offline listening.

View also: How to Listen to Audible Books on Kindle

Bonus Tips: If you rely less on batch downloading and audio customization, consider using the free and open-source Libation downloader. It allows you to access your entire Audible library offline. However, it may be a bit tricky for beginners, and there's no customer support, which could be a barrier for some users.

libation audible converter

View also: Libation Audible Converter Review

Part 5. How to Fix Audible Not Working Offline

Some users have reported issues with listening to Audible audiobooks offline, asking, "Why can't I listen to Audible offline?" The problem can stem from a variety of reasons such as corrupted downloads, incorrect settings, or device-specific issues. Below, we'll provide six common solutions to help troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

Re-download the Audible Audiobook

One of the most common reasons Audible won't play offline is due to a corrupted download. To fix this, simply delete the audiobooks from your device and re-download them from the Audible app. This should resolve any issues related to incomplete or corrupted files.

Check Your Device's Audio Output

If you can't hear your audiobook, it could be an issue with your device's audio output. Make sure your device isn't muted and ensure that you are not using an external audio device, unless intended. Sometimes, simply adjusting the audio settings can solve the problem.

Restart the Audible App

Occasionally, the Audible app may experience temporary glitches. Try closing the app, waiting for a few minutes, and then reopening it. This can help clear up any bugs or conflicts and enable you to enjoy your audiobooks offline again.

Update the Audible App

If you are using an outdated version of the Audible app, it could be causing offline playback issues. Ensure that you have the latest version installed by checking for updates in the app store. Updating the app can often resolve any bugs that may be affecting offline playback.

Update Your Device's Operating System

If updating the Audible app doesn't solve the issue, check if your device's operating system needs updating. An outdated OS may cause compatibility issues with the Audible app, so it's always a good idea to keep your device up to date to ensure smooth functionality.

Contact Amazon Customer Support

If none of the above solutions work, you can contact Amazon's customer support for assistance. Explain the issues you're encountering with Audible, and they should be able to investigate further and provide fixes. However, keep in mind that response times may vary.

If you're still unable to resolve the issue, you might consider using the AudFree Audible Converter to download and save your Audible audiobooks as local files, fixing Audible not working permanently. This way, you can convert your Audible books into MP3 and other common formats for offline listening, eliminating the dependency on the Audible app.

Part 6. FAQs About Playing Audible without Internet

Where Are Audible Offline Downloaded Files Stored?

Audible offline files are stored within the Audible app's local storage. You can access them by going to the Downloaded section in your Audible Library. These files are encrypted to protect the content, which means they can only be accessed through the Audible app. However, you can locate the AAXC file on your device by navigating to the following path: com.audible.application > files > Audiobooks.

View also: Where Are Audible Books Stored on Android/iPhone/PC/Mac/Kindle

Can I Listen to Audible Offline on Multiple Devices?

Yes, you can listen to Audible offline on multiple devices, provided you have downloaded the audiobooks on each device. For example, you can listen to Audible on Apple Watch after downloading the books onto it. On other devices, even if they don't officially support the Audible app, you can use third-party tools like the AudFree Audible Converter to download DRM-free Audible audiobooks for offline playback.

Will I Lose My Downloaded Audiobooks If I Uninstall the Audible App?

Yes, if you uninstall the Audible app, your downloaded audiobooks will be delete. However, if your Audible account is still active, you can reinstall the app and re-download the audiobooks. If you want to permanently keep your Audible audiobooks and reduce reliance on the Audible app, using tools like the AudFree Audible Converter is a great solution.

Do Audible Offline Downloads Expire?

Generally, Audible offline downloads do not expire as long as your account remains active and you haven't changed devices. However, if you cancel your Audible subscription or uninstall the app, certain audiobooks may become inaccessible. It's recommended to keep your Audible account active to avoid losing access to downloaded content.

Can I Play the Same Audiobook on Multiple Devices at the Same Time?

No, Audible allows only one device to play a specific audiobook at a time. Even though you can download it on multiple devices, the audiobook will stop playing on one device as soon as you start playing it on another. If you need to listen on multiple devices, it's best to download the audiobook in advance and use a third-party tool like the AudFree Audible Converter to remove your reliance on the internet or the Audible app.

In Conclusion

Listening to Audible offline is a convenient feature that ensures you can enjoy your audiobooks anytime, anywhere. Whether you're using Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac, Audible offers various methods for offline playback. For even more flexibility, tools like the AudFree Audible Downloader provide additional options for offline listening on virtually any device, making it easier to enjoy your audiobooks wherever you go.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily download and listen to your favorite Audible audiobooks without needing an internet connection, whether you're on a flight, road trip, or simply in an area with poor connectivity.

Ivan Scott

Ivan Scott

Staff Editor

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Ivan Scott, an audiobook enthusiast with a passion for writing. He keeps up with information and tech skills related to iTunes and Audible audiobooks, and shares them with readers.