How to Stop Audible from Playing Automatically [Latest Fixes]

Part 1. Quick FAQ: Audible Playing Automatically

Before diving into step-by-step fixes, let's quickly answer the most common questions users ask about Audible auto-play behavior.

Why Does Audible Start Playing Automatically?

Audible often starts playing automatically because your phone or car system is set to resume the last media app when a Bluetooth device, CarPlay, or Android Auto connects. If Audible was the last app you used, the system treats it as the default audio source and restarts playback without asking.

Does This Mean Audible Has a Bug If It Keeps Playing After I Pause It?

Actually, this isn't a bug - Audible is working exactly as intended. It's usually triggered by 'continuous listening' or 'automatically resume media' features are enabled. Audible is designed to resume the last played media when a system signals that audio output is available. Unfortunately, this 'helpful' feature often backfires.

Can I Stop Audible from Playing Automatically Permanently?

There is no single universal switch inside Audible to disable autoplay permanently across all devices. However, by adjusting system settings, Bluetooth behavior, and app permissions, you can significantly reduce or even fully eliminate automatic playback. For listeners seeking absolute control, the local playback method outlined in Part 4 provides the perfect alternative.

Part 2. How to Stop Audible from Playing Automatically in Car

Now that you understand why Audible starts playing automatically - mainly due to Bluetooth auto-resume, CarPlay/Android Auto integration, and system-level autoplay features - it's time to fix the problem at its source.

For many users, the car is where Audible autoplay happens most often. You start the engine, Bluetooth connects, and suddenly an audiobook begins playing without warning. This behavior can be distracting and frustrating, especially when you're not in the mood to listen.

Below are the most effective ways to stop Audible from automatically playing in your car, whether you use Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or standard Bluetooth audio.

Solution 1. Turn Off CarPlay Mode from Mobile Settings for Car

If you used to listen to Audible in cars using Apple CarPlay, the system may automatically relaunch Audible and resume the last audiobook when your phone connects to the car. Disabling CarPlay can immediately stop this behavior.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 3. Scroll down to select the Allowed Apps.

Step 4. Toggle the button next to CarPlay to gray to turn it off.

Solution 2. Disable CarPlay While Locked from Mobile Settings for Car

Alternatively, you can keep CarPlay enabled but disable the 'Allow CarPlay While Locked' setting. This allows it to run while your iPhone is locked, which can trigger Audible autoplay as soon as Bluetooth reconnects. Once you toggle this off, CarPlay will remain inactive until you manually unlock your iPhone. This prevents CarPlay from automatically resuming Audible when you unlock or start your vehicle.

Step 1. On your iPhone, open Settings > General > CarPlay.

Step 2. Tap the name of your car or infotainment system in the My Car section.

Step 3. Turn off "Allow CarPlay While locked".

Solution 3. Turn Off Autoplay in the Car's Infotainment System

Many modern vehicles include a built-in "AutoPlay" or "Resume Media" feature designed to start audio the moment a smartphone connects. Here's how to disable it:

Step 1. Navigate to your car's Settings or Media menu.

Step 2. Look for options such as AutoPlay, Resume Media, or Play on Connect.

Step 3. Switch these features to Off.

This is a crucial step for Tesla owners and others whose vehicles rely on a standard Bluetooth "handshake" rather than Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as these systems often default to immediate playback.

Solution 4. Disable 'Automatically Resume Media' in Android Auto

If adjusting your car's built-in settings didn't solve the problem for your Android device, the issue likely stems from the Android Auto app itself. By default, Android Auto is programmed to resume your last-played media the moment your phone connects to the vehicle.

Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your Android device.

Step 2. Use the search bar at the top to type "Android Auto", or navigate to Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Android Auto.

Step 3. Scroll down through the Android Auto settings menu until you find the 'Automatically Resume Media' toggle.

Step 4. Switch the toggle to Off. This ensures that Audible (or any other music app) will only play when you manually press the play button.

Solution 5. Adjust Bluetooth Connection Settings

If your device's Bluetooth connection is incorrectly configured, it may signal your car to start playback immediately. Adjusting how your phone identifies the connection can often break this automatic link.

For iOS Device:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then scroll down and tap Bluetooth.

Step 2. Find your car's Bluetooth connection under My Devices.

Step 3. Tap the 'i' icon next to your car's Bluetooth connection to view details.

Step 4. Look for settings related to audio playback preferences and adjust them accordingly.

For Android Device:

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone from the home screen or app drawer.

Step 2. Scroll down and select Connected devices or Connections, depending on your device.

Step 3. Tap Bluetooth to access your paired devices.

Step 4. Find and select your car's Bluetooth connection from the list. Then check for any settings related to audio playback preferences and adjust them as needed.

By addressing CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth settings, and car-level autoplay features, you can eliminate most cases of Audible playing automatically in your vehicle. In the next section, we'll look at how to stop Audible autoplay directly on iPhone and Android devices, even outside the car.

Part 3. How to Stop Audible Auto Playing on Android/iPhone

If you're wondering: "How do I stop Audible from playing automatically on my iPhone or Samsung", you aren't alone. Before diving into complex system changes, you should first determine if the issue lies within the app itself.

Initial Troubleshooting

Start with these quick fixes to ensure the Audible app is functioning correctly:

1) Restart your device: A simple reboot often clears temporary glitches.

2) Force-stop the app: Close Audible completely from your app switcher and relaunch it.

3) Reinstall Audible: Delete the app and reinstall the Audible app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play.

4) Update your OS: Ensure your iPhone or Android system is running the most recent software.

After troubleshooting above, if the problem persists, the cause is likely a specific setting on your Audible app or phone. Please refer to the following solutions to regain control.

Solution 1. Disable Automatically Resume Media from Audible Settings

Audible includes a feature designed to resume playback the moment it detects a headset or Bluetooth connection. While convenient for some, it often leads to audiobooks starting at inappropriate times.

Step 1. Launch the Audible application and navigate to "Settings".

Step 2. Scroll down and select the Player section.

Step 3. Find Resume playback and toggle it Off.

Solution 2. Turn Off Continuous Listening from Audible Settings

The Continuous Listening feature is designed to automatically start your next audiobook the moment your current one ends, providing a seamless, uninterrupted experience. However, this can be intrusive if you'd prefer to switch apps or stop listening altogether. To reclaim control over your queue, follow the steps below:

Step 1. On the Audible app, tap on the 'Profile' tab from the bottom navigation bar. Then tap on the top-right Gear icon.

Step 2. Select 'Player' from the 'App Settings' section.

Step 3. Scroll down and turn off the button 'Continuous Listening'.

Solution 3. Deactivate 'Allow Background Activity/Handoff' from Android/iPhone Settings

The Allow Background Activity feature on Android enables the smooth running and playing of apps such as Audible in the background, even though you are using another software. The Handoff feature on iOS ensures seamless playback transition across multiple Apple devices. Meanwhile, Audible will play automatically in the background if you have enabled this feature, and it will play Audible AAX files on Android and iPhone. Please follow the stepwise guide below to end it:

Disable Allow Background Activity on Android

Step 1. Open the Settings app on Android and select 'Apps'.

Step 2. Find the Audible app, click on it, and select the 'Battery' option.

Step 3. Toggle off the button 'Allow Background Activity'.

Disable Handoff on iPhone/iPad

Step 1. Head to the Settings app on your iOS device.

Step 2. Pick the 'General' section. Later, click on the 'Handoff' tab from the list.

Step 3. Switch off the button 'Handoff'.

Part 4. Ultimate Way to Stop Play Audible from Playing Automatically [Any Devices]

If none of the methods above fully stop Audible from playing automatically, there is a once-and-for-all solution: stop relying on the Audible app entirely.

Instead of playing audiobooks through Audible - where autoplay is controlled by Bluetooth, system settings, and background activity - you can download your Audible books and play them in any media player. This gives you complete control over playback and permanently eliminates autoplay issues on all devices.

The Logic Behind the Solution

Standard fixes often fail because Audible's playback is hardwired into the app's response to Bluetooth signals. By using tool to convert your books to local files, you:

• Remove DRM restrictions that lock you into the Audible app
• Bypass "Auto-Resume" triggers built into the Audible software
• Gain universal compatibility with any media player of your choice

To achieve this, you simply need to powerful and practical tool. This is where AudFree Audible Converter comes in.

It allows you to download and convert Audible audiobooks into common formats such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, and M4B, while preserving the original audio quality, chapters, and ID3 metadata. In addition, it supports download your Audible library in batch at 100x faster speed. Once converted, your audiobooks can be transferred to any device or media player, completely independent of the Audible app.

How to Convert Audible Audiobooks for Free Playback Anywhere

Step 1. Import Audible Books to AudFree Conversion List

Download, launch AudFree Audible Converter on your computer, and log in. You'll be taken to the built-in Audible web player. Go to your Audible library, find the audiobooks you want to convert, and click the '+' icon to add them to the conversion list. You can select and add multiple titles at once.

Step 2. Customize Audible Output Format and Quality

Click the menu icon in the top-right corner and choose Preferences > Conversion. Here, select a widely compatible format such as MP3 or FLAC, then adjust audio settings like bitrate and quality to suit your listening preferences.

Step 3. Download Books to Stop Automatically Playing

Click the Convert button to start processing your audiobooks. Once the conversion is complete, your DRM-free Audible files will appear in the Converted folder on your computer. You can also edit ID3 tags if needed.

The result? Now, you can enjoy all your stories on any media player you choose at anytime, with zero risk of the Audible app starting automatically.

Part 5. Video Guide: How to Stop Audible from Auto Playing

If you prefer a visual walkthrough, check out this comprehensive video guide. It demonstrates each of the fixes mentioned above to help you regain full control over your audiobook playback.

Conclusion

Audible auto-playing in cars, on Android, or on iPhone can be annoying, but it's usually caused by system behavior rather than a true bug. By adjusting Bluetooth settings, background permissions, and car playback options, most users can significantly reduce unwanted playback.

However, if you want absolute playback freedom, converting your Audible audiobooks with a tool like AudFree Audible Converter offers a long-term, reliable solution. It removes app dependency and gives you complete control - no autoplay surprises, no interruptions.