Do you love stories but don't have the time to read books? Well, audiobooks can give you a new way to listen to books without viewing them. However, downloading too many audiobooks may take up your phone's storage. In this case, you may want to play Audible books on PC offline or backup Audible books on your computer with large storage space.
But how to download Audible books to PC in 2024? In this blog, I will introduce 4 official ways and to download audiobooks and 2 extra ways via third parties. Dive into the next section for detailed solutions and pick the one that works best for you.
Part 1. 4 Ways to Download Audible Books to PC from Audible Official
For new Audible users, you cannot install the Audible app and the Download Manager now, so you can try to download your Audible Books by the Audible website and Audible Sync app. If you have installed them before and haven't removed them, you can try the 2 additional ways to download Audible audiobooks.
Method 1. Download Audible Books to PC from the Audible Website
Audible.com is the official website of Audible, which makes it easy and fast to purchase and download your favorite titles online directly without installing any extra app. Please purchase Audible books you want to download beforehand. Otherwise, you will fail to download audiobooks without buying them. 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, log into your Amazon account.
Step 2. Download Audible Books
Once logged in, select the audiobooks you'd like to hear and then click on the "Download" tab in the Library section to download audiobooks from Audible.
Step 3. Find the Audible File
Wait for the download to finish, click the Downloads icon on your browser at the top right, and you can get a .aax encoded file.
If you installed iTunes on your Windows computer, it will indicate to you to connect Audible and iTunes and play the downloaded audiobook via iTunes. Otherwise, you cannot play the AAX file on your computer.
Method 2. Download Audible Audiobooks to PC via AudibleSync
Although the Audible app for Windows is no longer available, you can use its alternative tool called AudibleSync. It is an official-launched app for Windows 11 and 10 users to download audiobooks quickly and easily, which also enables you to sync and transfer your files to supported MP3 players for audiobooks.
Now, follow the steps below to learn how to download Audible books to the computer using the AudibleSync app:
Step 1. Click the official link to download and install AudibleSync on your PC.
Step 2. Select the marketplace of your account on the bottom left of the AudibleSync interface.
Step 3. Click Sign In to log into your Amazon account. Then you will be taken to your Audible library.
Step 4. Search for the audiobook you hope to download to your PC from the top-right search box.
Step 5. Proceed to click on the 'Download' button next to the title. Once it finishes downloading, there will be a Delete button.
Notice: If the Download button disappears, it means you are unavailable to download the book. This may happen if you haven't bought the audiobook yet or the book is limited to download on certain marketplaces, like UK, Germany, Australia, France, or Japan. In this case, you can try to download Audible books to PC via the Audible Converter.
Method 3. [Outdated] Download from Audible to PC via Audible App
Since July 31, 2022, the Audible app for Windows 10 has been phrased out, which means you cannot install the Audible app for PC on Windows 10 or later anymore. But if you have installed the Audible Windows app before its removal, you can listen to and download audiobooks from the Audible app still. Check out how to download Audible books to PC via the Audible Windows App on Windows 8/10 system. Windows 8 users can search for the Audible app on the Microsoft Store and install it on your computer before starts.
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 kick off the downloading process.
Step 6. The Audible files will finally be downloaded to your PC. Locate the downloaded Audible books from the appropriate link.
Method 4. [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. [Top Way] Download Audible Books to MP3 on PC via Audible Converter
The downside of those above methods is that the downloaded Audible books are copyright-protected by special AA/AXX format. In other words, those files can be playable only inside Audible on select devices. To listen to Audible books on more devices or players, the best solution is to convert your Audible books to the common audio format using an expert audiobook converter.
We'd like to recommend AudFree Audio Books Converter, a professional tool that can download and convert Audible AA/AAX files to local files in unprotected formats such as MP3, WAV, and M4A, among other formats. AudFree Auditior app adopts the top-notched decode technology, making it a reality to keep all the lossless quality and ID3 tags for your Audible audiobooks.
To your surprise, this app is a gem when it comes to customizing audio parameters like bit rate, codec, speed, audio channel, etc. More so, it empowers you to split audiobooks into small segments by chapters. With it, you can listen to Audible offline on all devices.
Key Features of AudFree Audible Converter
- Batch convert Audible AA/AAX files to M4A, MP3, M4B, AAC, etc. at a speed of 30X
- Split large Audible audiobooks into smaller portions by chapters
- Customize output settings like sample rate, volume, and speed
- Keep 100% lossless quality for AA and AAX during conversion
How to Download Audible Book to PC via AudFree Auditior
You can download AudFree Auditior by clicking on the above download button. It provides both free and full versions. You can use it to convert Audible audiobooks to MP3 and other formats. Before that, please add those purchased Audible audiobooks to the iTunes library first.
- Step 1Launch and Register AudFree Auditior
- Launch the converter on your computer and register the app. Click on the "Menu" icon and then the "Register" option from the pull-down list. Next, input your license key and the registration code to make the app a full version.
- Step 2Import AA/AAX audiobooks
- Make sure you have added the audiobooks to iTunes. Then drag and drop the files you tend to convert from the iTunes library into AudFree software's interface. Alternatively, tap on the first Add button (namely "Load iTunes Library") at the lower-left corner to import audiobooks from iTunes to the converter. This app supports batch conversion, hence you can add multiple files to convert at once.
- Step 3Customize Output Format for Audible PC Download
- Proceed to click the bottom-right Audio icon. From the Format Setting pane, choose an output format for the added audiobook and personalize other parameters, including the sample rate, bit rate, codec, etc. Or choose the bottom "Keep lossless quality(AA, AAX)" option directly. Then the AA file will be exported to MP3 while AAX will be converted to M4A automatically. By hovering over an item and tapping on the 'Edit' icon, you can edit the ID3 tags and split your audiobooks into chapters.
- Step 4Convert and Download Audible to PC
- Click the "Convert" button and AudFree Auditior will start the conversion work automatically. Then locate the converted audiobooks from the bottom File icon. Transfer those Audible books to MP3 players or any other devices or media players for offline playback without restrictions.
Part 3. Download Audible Books to PC with OpenAudible
OpenAudible is a practical Audible book manager on Windows/Mac/Linux computers. It can download all your audiobooks easily, even if you haven't bought them. Besides, you can clearly check the title's duration, rating, genres, and more details about it. It supports converting the files to MP3 and M4B formats once downloaded. However, only full versions are available with this feature. Besides, you cannot adjust the audio quality with this method.
All in all, it is a good way to save Audible books to PC for free. Let's dive into the tutorial on how to download Audible books to computers.
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. Which Is the Best Way to Download Audible Books to PC
Among the 6 methods on how to save Audible books on your computer, which one is the most suitable for you? To save you time on testing and decisions, I make the following comparison form for your reference.
Method | Pros | Cons | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Audible Website | Easy to manage on Audible library | Only available with purchased and free resources | ⭐⭐⭐ |
AudibleSync | Clean interface with dedicated managing function | Only available with Win 10/11 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Audible App | Comprehensive Audible using experience | Unavailable to users who haven't installed the app | ⭐⭐ |
Audible Download Manager | Easy to manage downloaded files | Unavailable to users who haven't installed the app | ⭐⭐ |
OpenAudible | Download Audible books to PC for free | Unable to convert file format with free version | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
AudFree Audible Downloader | Download Audible books as MP3/WAV/AAC and more plain formats | Only offers conversion of the title's 1-min in the free version | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Based on the above analysis, AudFree is the top choice to download Audible book to PC as MP3 and other formats, if you want to save Audible books on your USB drive or play them on your MP3 player.
Part 5. FAQs on Downloading Audible Books to PC
Q1: How to Fix Audible Book Won't Download to PC?
A1: This download error may result from the outdated system of your computer, the Audible Windows app, etc. To troubleshoot Audible book won't download to PC issue, please take a tab at the following fixes:
✔ Purchase Audiobooks from Audible in Advance: Make sure you have bought the book from Audible before you download it.
✔ Update PC's System or Audible App to the Latest Version: If you have an Audible App for Windows 10/8, please try updating the Audible app first. If not, update your Windows PC to the latest system.
✔ Check Internet Connection: Make sure your WiFi or Cellular is not out of work.
✔ Clear Cache and Cookies: Clear your browser's cache and cookies and try downloading the book again.
✔ Use AudFree Audible Books Converter: If none of the above fixes works, you can give AudFree Audible Books Converter a shot.
Q2: Can I Change the Download Quality on Audible?
A2: You can select Standard or High download quality on your Android/iPhone Audible app, while the download quality is fixed and unable to change if you download Audible books to PC. However, you can use the AudFree Audible Downloader to customize the download quality.
Q3: Can I Listen to Audible on PC Offline?
A3: Yes, Audible offers a download function for purchased or free audiobooks on PC for offline playing. However, you can only play the downloaded books via the Audible Cloud Player or Audible-connected iTunes, which sometimes doesn't work suddenly. If you pursue a stable and flexible offline playing on your computer, you'd better use the Audible Converter to remove the Audible book's DRM protection.
Q4: How to Find Audible Downloads Location on Computer?
A4: Open the File Explorer on your PC and then navigate according to this archive path:
C:\Users\YourComputerUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\AudibleInc.AudibleforWindowsPhone_xns73kv1ymhp2\LocalState\Content
Part 6. Conclusion
You are now well-equipped on how to download Audible audiobooks to PC. The best part is that you can customize your Audiobooks to your preferences using the sought-after AudFree Audible Book Converter. This intelligent gadget is an easy-to-use tool that works in several steps to convert your audiobooks into common formats like MP3. It also lets you split your audiobooks into smaller manageable portions among other functionalities. Now, just try the above methods to start listening to your Audible books offline.
Ivan Scott
Staff Editor