OverDrive for Mac is available for macOS versions 10.6 (Snow Leopard) through 10.14 (Mojave). If you're running one of these macOS versions, you can use OverDrive for Mac to download, listen to, and transfer MP3 audiobooks from your library.
OverDrive for Mac and OverDrive MP3 audiobooks are not compatible with macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or newer. This is because Apple requires all apps in macOS Catalina or newer to be 64-bit, and OverDrive for Mac (which is required for downloading MP3 audiobooks) is 32-bit. If you're running macOS Catalina or newer, these are your audiobook options:
- Listen to audiobooks in your web browser using your library's website. Once you borrow an audiobook from your library's website, choose the 'Listen now in browser' option.
- Listen to audiobooks in your web browser using Libby (for public libraries) or Sora (for schools).
- Install the OverDrive or Libby app (for libraries) or the Sora app (for schools) directly on a compatible portable device and listen to audiobooks through the app.
Find and buy audiobooks
The next free audiobook app that we will mention is Loyal Books. Their website feels a little dated, but the Android and iOS app are slightly more modern. The audiobooks featured in the Loyal Book free audiobook app are pulled from LibriVox. Essentially, you would use Loyal Books if you prefer the app interface. But what's even cooler is that the OverDrive-created and owned Libby app lets you borrow e-books, audiobooks, music, and more for free. Time Magazine's Best iPhone and Android Apps of 2018 Put your local library in your pocket with Libby, an ebook- and audiobook-borrowing app with a wealth of literary offerings available on demand.
In the Audiobooks Store, you can purchase audiobooks and listen to samples.
- Browse the list of most popular and best selling audiobooks on Apple Books. Find the top charts for best audiobooks to listen across all genres.
- But what's even cooler is that the OverDrive-created and owned Libby app lets you borrow e-books, audiobooks, music, and more for free. Time Magazine's Best iPhone and Android Apps of 2018 Put your local library in your pocket with Libby, an ebook- and audiobook-borrowing app with a wealth of literary offerings available on demand.
In Japan, you can search, buy, and download audiobooks from the Browse section of the Book Store tab. You might not be able to purchase audiobooks in your country or region. Learn what's available in your country or region.
Find and buy audiobooks on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
Free Apple Books Audiobooks
To browse audiobooks, open the Apple Books app and tap the Audiobooks tab at the bottom of the screen. Explore new and featured audiobooks, or tap Browse Sections at the top of the screen to see all genres and book store sections. Tap Great Narrators to browse for books with your favorite narrator, celebrity narrators, or full-cast dramatizations. Or tap the Search tab at the bottom of the screen to find specific audiobooks.
When you find an audiobook that you're interested in, you can listen to a sample. Tap an audiobook, then tap PREVIEW. To buy the audiobook, tap the price.
If you purchased an audiobook but it looks like you haven’t bought it in the Book Store, you can find and redownload the audiobook in your previous purchases.
Find and buy audiobooks on your Mac
Open the Apple Books app and click Audiobook Store at the top of the screen. To browse for an audiobook, click Featured, Top Charts, Categories, or Top Authors. To search for a specific audiobook, use the search box at the top of the screen.
To hear a sample of an audiobook, double-click the book to open its information page, then click Preview below the book's price. To buy the audiobook, click the price.
Download audiobooks on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- In the Books app, tap Reading Now, then tap your profile icon.
- Under My Purchases, tap Audiobooks, then tap All Audiobooks.
- Find the audiobook that you want to download, then tap the download button .
Download audiobooks on your Mac
- Open the Books app.
- At the top of the window, click Audiobook Store.
- Under Quick Links, click Purchased.
- Find the audiobook that you want, then click the download button in the top corner.
Listen to audiobooks on your Apple Watch
Use the Audiobooks app on your watch to stream your audiobooks or play audiobooks that you sync from your iPhone. Learn more.
Control audio playback
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, playback controls appear when you play an audiobook. On your Mac, playback controls are located at the bottom of the sidebar.
Fast forward or rewind
Tap or click the fast forward 15 seconds button or the rewind 15 seconds button .
Change tracks
To change tracks, tap or click the table of contents button , then choose the track that you want.
Adjust the playback speed
To play the audiobook faster or more slowly on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, tap the playback speed button . On your Mac, click Controls > Playback Speed.
Set a sleep timer
If you want the audiobook to stop playing after a certain amount of time, set a sleep timer. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, tap the sleep button . On your Mac, click Controls > Sleep Timer at the top of the screen.
Play to a speaker
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can tap the AirPlay button to play an audiobook on a different speaker. Learn more about how to AirPlay audio.
How to find digital booklets
Apple App Store Audio Books
Some audiobooks are sold with supplemental PDFs called digital booklets. To find your digital booklets on your Mac, open the Books app, then click PDFs.
Discover more ways to listen
- On a PC, you can buy and listen to audiobooks in iTunes.
- Use Siri to play audiobooks on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Play audiobooks while you drive with CarPlay.
Learn more
Audio Books Iphone App
- You can delete audiobooks from your device or hide them from your library.
- On your Mac, you can download audiobooks from Audible.com, then drag and drop them into Apple Books.
- If you don't see the Audiobooks icon in the Books app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you might need to update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, or you might be in a country or region where audiobooks are not available. Learn what's available in your country or region.
- If you don't see an audiobook that you purchased in your library, you might need to download the audiobook again.