Can Alexa Connect to Audible? Ways to Listen to Audiobooks on Your Echo

Audible audiobooks offer a fantastic way to enjoy books by listening while multitasking. For owners of Alexa-enabled devices like Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show, accessing Audible is incredibly convenient. Alexa, Amazon’s intelligent voice assistant, allows seamless voice control over your Audible library, making listening to audiobooks simpler than ever. This guide will explore three straightforward methods to use Audible on Alexa for both online streaming and offline playback, ensuring you never miss a chapter.

audible on alexa

Part 1. Understanding Audible and Alexa Compatibility

Yes, Alexa is fully capable of playing Audible audiobooks. The seamless integration is natural, given that Audible is an Amazon company. This compatibility allows for hands-free listening on your smart speakers and devices, controlled entirely by your voice. To begin using Audible with Alexa, there are a few prerequisites to ensure a smooth setup and listening experience.

Essential Requirements for Audible on Alexa:

• Alexa-Enabled Device: You’ll need a device with Alexa built-in. This includes a wide range of products such as Echo Show, Echo Dot, Amazon Echo speakers, and many more. For a comprehensive list of compatible devices, refer to the official Alexa website.
• Amazon Account Synchronization: It’s crucial that your Audible library is linked to the same Amazon account that is registered to your Alexa device. This unified account system is key to accessing your audiobooks through voice commands.
• Audible Membership or Audiobook Purchases: Access to Audible’s vast library requires an active Audible subscription or having purchased audiobooks individually. A subscription provides access to a credit system and a wide selection of titles, while purchased books remain accessible even if your Audible plan is cancelled.
• Reliable Wi-Fi Connection: Streaming audiobooks demands a stable internet connection. However, for uninterrupted listening without internet access, offline playback options are available, which we will discuss later.

Key Features of Audible on Alexa:

• Voice-Activated Audiobook Playback: Effortlessly listen to your Audible books using just your voice. Simple commands are all it takes to start and control your listening experience.
• Playback Control with Voice Commands: Alexa understands commands to pause, resume, and skip chapters, giving you full control without lifting a finger.
• Multi-Device Playback: Control your audiobook playback across various Echo devices and other Alexa-enabled speakers throughout your home.
• Podcast Access: Beyond audiobooks, you can also listen to podcasts directly on your Alexa devices, expanding your audio entertainment options.
• Audible Credit Utilization: Use your Audible credits to purchase new audiobooks directly through Alexa, simplifying your audiobook acquisition process.

Limitations of Audible on Alexa:

While Alexa integration offers numerous conveniences, some Audible features are not yet supported through voice commands:

• Clip and Bookmark Creation: Creating clips or bookmarks within audiobooks is not currently possible when listening via Alexa. These actions must be performed within the Audible app.
• Book Ratings and Reviews: Alexa cannot be used to rate books or leave reviews. This functionality remains within the Audible app or website.
• Manual “Mark as Finished”: When you complete an audiobook, Alexa will not automatically mark it as finished. You’ll need to manually update the book’s status in the Audible app.
• Listening Log Access: Viewing your detailed listening history for a specific title requires accessing the listening log directly within the Audible app, as Alexa does not provide this feature.

Part 2. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Connect Audible to Alexa and Play Audiobooks [3 Methods]

There are several effective ways to enjoy Audible books on Alexa, catering to different preferences for online and offline listening. Below are three detailed methods to get you started:

2.1 Using the Alexa App for Online Streaming

The Alexa app serves as a central hub for managing your Alexa devices and services. It also provides a direct pathway to access and play your Audible library on linked devices. The first step is to ensure your Alexa device is set up correctly and then link your Audible account within the Alexa app.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Alexa Device

setup amazon echo alexa app

1. Open the Alexa App: Locate and launch the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Navigate to Devices: Tap on “Devices” located at the bottom of the app screen.
3. Add New Device: Press the “+” (Plus) symbol to initiate the device addition process.
4. Select “Add Device”: Choose “Add Device” and then select your specific device type from the provided list. In this example, we will use “Amazon Echo.”
   • For Echo Smart Speakers: If you are setting up an Echo Smart Speaker (like Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus), tap “Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus and more” under the “ECHO SMART SPEAKERS” category.
   • For Specific Echo Models: Alternatively, you can select “Amazon Echo” under “AVAILABLE DEVICES” and then choose your exact Echo model for a more specific setup.
5. Power On Your Echo Device: Ensure your Echo device is properly connected to a power source and turned on.
6. Observe LED Indicator: Wait for the device’s LED indicator ring to change from blue to orange. This color change indicates that your Echo device has entered setup mode and is ready to connect.
7. Device Discovery Confirmation: The Alexa app should display a message such as “Discovered New Devices.” Tap “Yes” to confirm the discovery and proceed.
8. Complete On-Screen Instructions: Follow the prompts within the Alexa app to finalize the setup process for your Echo device. This may involve connecting to your Wi-Fi network and registering the device to your Amazon account.

Step 2: Linking Your Audible Account to Alexa

setup link new service alexa app

1. Return to Alexa App Home Screen: Go back to the main screen of the Alexa app on your device.
2. Open Alexa App: Launch the Alexa application.
3. Access Playback Screen: Tap on “Play” at the bottom to navigate to the playback control screen.
4. Open Settings: Tap the “Settings” icon (Gear icon) typically located in the top right corner to access Alexa settings.
5. Select “Link New Service”: Choose “Link New Service” from the settings menu to connect new services to Alexa.
6. Alternative Access via Home Page: Alternatively, from the Alexa app’s home page, under the “Activity” section, you can also select “Link Music Services“. Both paths lead to the service linking options.
7. Ensure Audible Account Sign-In: Verify that the Audible account you wish to link is currently signed in on the Audible app on your mobile device and is associated with your Amazon account.
8. Find Audible in Service List: Scroll through the list of available music and podcast services until you locate “Audible“.
9. Initiate Linking Process: Tap on “Audible” to start the account linking procedure.
10. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Adhere to the instructions displayed in the Alexa app to complete the linking of your Audible account. This usually involves authorizing Alexa to access your Audible library.

Step 3: Playing Audible Books on Alexa Through the App

play audible alexa app

1. Go to Alexa App Home: Navigate to the home screen of the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Open Alexa App: Launch the Alexa application.
3. Select “Play”: Choose “Play” from the bottom menu to access the playback interface.
4. Navigate to “Music & Books”: Select “Music & Books” to access the section where your linked Audible content is located.
5. Library Loading Time: Allow the Alexa app a moment to fully load your Audible Library. The loading time will depend on the size of your library and internet connection speed.
6. Access Your Audible Library: After loading, a list of all Audible audiobooks associated with your account will be displayed, ready for you to select and play.

New alt text: Audible library displayed within the Alexa app, showcasing available audiobooks for playback on Alexa devices.

Useful Alexa Audible Voice Commands

Once connected, voice commands are the primary way to control Audible playback on Alexa. Here are some examples of commands you can use. For a more comprehensive list, visit the Audible guide.

• “Alexa, read [book title].”

• “Alexa, play [book title] from Audible.”

• “Alexa, next chapter.”

• “Alexa, set a 20-minute sleep timer.”

• “Alexa, pause.”

• “Alexa, go forward.”

  Note: In addition to voice commands, you can also manage playback directly from the Player screen within the Alexa app.

• Volume Adjustment: Use the volume controls to increase or decrease the audiobook volume.

• Play/Pause Control: Use the play and pause buttons to start or stop audiobook playback.

• Jump Ahead/Back 30 Seconds: These buttons allow you to skip forward or backward by 30-second intervals. You can also use the timeline for more precise navigation.

• Chapter Navigation: The chapter navigation button allows you to quickly jump between chapters within the audiobook.

2.2 Playing Audible via the Audible App Directly [Online]

If your Alexa device is already set up, another direct method is to use the Audible app itself and enable microphone access. However, this method requires the Audible app to be actively on screen on your phone or tablet. Due to privacy protocols, Alexa functionality through the Audible app is disabled if the screen is locked or another app is in use. Here’s how to enable Alexa within the Audible app:

1. Launch Audible App: Open the Audible app on your iOS or Android device and navigate to your Profile section.
2. Access Settings: Tap the Settings gear icon, usually located in the profile area.
3. Select Alexa Settings: Choose Alexa from the settings options.
   audible alexa settings
4. Enable Hands-free with Alexa: Toggle the switch to turn on “Hands-free with Alexa“.
   audible hands free with alexa
5. Grant Permissions: Several prompts will appear requesting permissions. Tap Continue > Agree and continue > Allow > Got it to grant microphone access and necessary permissions for Alexa functionality.
6. Use Voice Commands: With Audible on screen, say “Alexa…” followed by any of the voice commands mentioned earlier. Your audiobook should now begin playing through your linked Alexa device.

2.3 Offline Playback of Audible Books via Amazon Music

For listening to Audible books on Alexa without an internet connection, you can download audiobooks and transfer them to Amazon Music. This is particularly useful in areas with poor connectivity or when you want to play audiobooks on devices not directly supported by Audible’s native integration.

Due to digital rights management (DRM) protection, Audible audiobooks are not downloadable as standard audio files, preventing direct transfer of downloaded cache files to Amazon Music. However, ViWizard Audible Converter offers a solution by converting Audible books into DRM-free, versatile formats like MP3, M4A, M4B, AAC, and more.

ViWizard ensures 100% lossless conversion, maintaining the original audio quality of your Audible books. It also operates at up to 100X faster speed, making the conversion process efficient and quick.

By using ViWizard Audible Converter, you can download DRM-free Audible audiobooks and then upload them to Amazon Music for offline playback via Alexa, regardless of internet availability. Try the free trial by clicking the download button below.

Key Features of ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter

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• Convert Audible audiobooks to common, unprotected audio formats like MP3.
• Split large Audible books into smaller segments by chapter or time for easier navigation.
• Enable playback of Audible audiobooks on any device or media player that supports standard audio formats.
• Achieve up to 100× faster conversion speeds, significantly reducing conversion time.

Steps to Convert Audible Books to MP3:

Step 1: Add Audible Audiobooks to ViWizard

New alt text: ViWizard Audible Converter main interface, showing the “Add Files” button for importing Audible audiobooks for conversion.

After launching ViWizard Audible Converter, click the Add Files button to import your Audible book files into the software. You can also drag and drop Audible audiobooks directly into the converter interface for convenience.

Step 2: Configure Output Format Settings

New alt text: ViWizard Audible Converter format settings panel, allowing users to choose output format like MP3 for converted audiobooks.

Navigate to the Format panel located at the bottom left of the software window to adjust the output settings. To preserve the original 100% lossless quality, select the Lossless output format. Alternatively, choose MP3, AAC, M4A, WAV, or other formats as needed. In the Format Settings window, you can also customize parameters such as codec, channel, sample rate, and bit rate to suit your preferences.

Step 3: Start the Audible Audiobook Conversion

New alt text: ViWizard Audible Converter conversion process screen, showing progress of Audible files being converted to selected format.

Click the Convert button to initiate the conversion process. The program will begin converting your Audible books to the selected format at speeds up to 100X faster. Once conversion is complete, locate your converted audio files by clicking the Converted icon at the top center of the interface.

Step 4: Upload Converted Audible Books to Amazon Music

After converting your Audible audiobooks to MP3 or another compatible format, you can transfer these files to your mobile device using a USB cable. To play them on Alexa, you can connect your device to your Echo via Bluetooth. For a more integrated experience, upload the converted files to Amazon Music for seamless offline playback through Alexa. For detailed instructions on uploading to Amazon Music, refer to this guide:

How to Import Local Files to Amazon Music in 2025 If you want to add your local audio files to your Amazon Music library, this guide provides step-by-step instructions for importing them using the Amazon Music desktop application.

Part 3. Frequently Asked Questions About Alexa and Audible

Q1. Can I listen to Audible on Alexa devices?

A1. Yes, you can absolutely listen to Audible audiobooks on any Alexa-enabled device, including Echo speakers, Fire tablets, and Fire TV. You can use the three methods detailed in this guide: via the Alexa app, directly through the Audible app, or by downloading and transferring Audible books to Amazon Music for offline playback.

Q2. Is it possible to control Audible on Fire TV using the Alexa Voice Remote?

A2. Yes, the Alexa Voice Remote can be used to control Audible audiobooks on Fire TV. After installing the Audible app on your Fire TV, you can use voice commands by pressing the microphone button on your Alexa Voice Remote to control playback. If you experience issues, ensure your Fire TV software and Audible app are updated to the latest versions.

Q3. Can podcasts from Audible be played on my Alexa Echo Device?

A3. Yes! Alexa can play podcasts available on Audible. Although the mobile Alexa app doesn’t directly support podcasts, linking Audible to Alexa allows you to access thousands of podcasts. Simply say, “Alexa, play the podcast [Name of podcast] from Audible” to start listening.

Q4. Why is Alexa not playing my Audible audiobook?

A4. If Alexa is not playing your Audible book, several factors could be the cause. First, ensure your Alexa device is powered on and the volume is not muted. Then, try updating or reinstalling both the Audible and Alexa apps to refresh the connection. If the problem persists, contacting Audible support through this link can provide further assistance.

Conclusion

While directly connecting Audible to Alexa is a popular choice for many users, audiobook enthusiasts may find significant value in using third-party software like ViWizard Audible Converter. This tool allows you to convert Audible books to common formats, creating a backup of your library and giving you complete ownership of your audiobooks. This enables playback on virtually any device, offering greater flexibility and control over your listening experience.

Disclaimer: Conversion of Audible audiobooks is intended for personal backup purposes only. Any commercial use of converted Audible books is strictly prohibited.

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Matt Smith (Digital Entertainment Industry Enthusiast)Matt Smith, a digital entertainment industry enthusiast at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing insightful commentary and solutions for music and media-related topics, including industry trends, analysis, and recommendations.

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