Unlock a World of Audiobooks: Your Ultimate Guide to Subscribing to Audible
Audible, an Amazon company, is the leading provider of audiobooks and other spoken-word content. With a vast library spanning every genre imaginable, from thrilling mysteries to insightful biographies, Audible offers an unparalleled listening experience. Whether you’re commuting to work, hitting the gym, or simply relaxing at home, audiobooks provide a convenient and enriching way to consume literature and learn new things. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of subscribing to Audible, exploring the various membership options, navigating the website and app, and maximizing your listening pleasure.
Why Subscribe to Audible?
Before diving into the subscription process, let’s explore the compelling reasons why Audible has become a favorite among book lovers worldwide:
* **Vast Library:** Audible boasts an extensive catalog of audiobooks, podcasts, and original audio content, covering fiction, non-fiction, self-help, comedy, and much more. You’re sure to find something that piques your interest.
* **Convenience and Portability:** Audiobooks allow you to “read” while multitasking. Listen during your commute, while exercising, cooking, or doing chores. They’re perfect for those with busy lifestyles who struggle to find time for traditional reading.
* **Professional Narration:** Audible audiobooks are typically narrated by professional voice actors, often well-known actors or authors themselves, bringing stories to life with captivating performances.
* **Offline Listening:** Download audiobooks to your device and listen offline, perfect for travel or areas with limited internet access.
* **Exclusive Content:** Audible offers exclusive original audio content that you won’t find anywhere else, including audio dramas, podcasts, and series.
* **Membership Benefits:** Audible memberships offer significant savings on audiobooks, plus additional perks like free audiobooks and access to the Audible Plus catalog.
* **Easy to Use App:** The Audible app is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to browse, purchase, download, and listen to audiobooks.
* **Return Policy:** Audible has a generous return policy, allowing you to return audiobooks you didn’t enjoy for a full credit.
Step-by-Step Guide to Subscribing to Audible
Subscribing to Audible is a straightforward process. Here’s a detailed guide:
**1. Accessing the Audible Website:**
* Open your web browser and go to the Audible website: [www.audible.com](www.audible.com).
**2. Creating an Amazon Account (If You Don’t Already Have One):**
* If you already have an Amazon account, you can use those credentials to sign in to Audible. Skip to step 4.
* If you don’t have an Amazon account, click on the “Sign Up” or “Start your free trial” button on the Audible homepage.
* You will be redirected to the Amazon account creation page. Enter your name, email address, and a strong password. Make sure to use a valid email address that you have access to.
* Click on the “Create your Amazon account” button.
* You may be asked to verify your email address by entering a code sent to your email. Follow the on-screen instructions.
**3. Linking Your Amazon Account to Audible:**
* Once you have created or signed into your Amazon account, you will be automatically directed back to Audible.
* Audible will recognize your Amazon account and link it to your Audible profile.
**4. Choosing a Membership Plan:**
* Audible offers various membership plans to suit different needs and budgets. Take some time to review the options and choose the one that’s right for you.
* To view the available plans, click on the “Try Audible Free” or “Start your free trial” button.
* You will be presented with a list of membership options. Here are the most common ones:
* **Audible Plus:** This plan provides unlimited listening to the Audible Plus Catalog, which includes thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and original content. However, it does *not* include a monthly credit for purchasing any audiobook you want to keep in your library forever. It’s like a streaming service for audiobooks.
* **Audible Premium Plus:** This is the most popular option. It includes all the benefits of Audible Plus (unlimited listening to the Plus Catalog) *plus* one credit per month that you can use to purchase any audiobook, regardless of price. You own these audiobooks and can listen to them even if you cancel your membership.
* **Audible Premium Plus (2 Credits):** This plan is similar to Premium Plus but gives you two credits per month for purchasing audiobooks. This is a good option for avid listeners who want to build their library quickly.
* Each plan usually offers a free trial period, allowing you to experience the benefits before committing to a paid subscription. The length of the trial period can vary.
* Carefully compare the features, price, and benefits of each plan. Consider your listening habits and budget when making your decision.
* Once you have chosen a plan, click on the “Start your free trial” or “Select this plan” button next to the plan you want.
**5. Entering Your Payment Information:**
* After selecting your plan, you will be prompted to enter your payment information. This is required even if you’re starting a free trial.
* You can typically use a credit card, debit card, or Amazon gift card to pay for your Audible subscription.
* Enter your card details accurately, including your card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
* You may also be asked to enter your billing address. Make sure the address matches the address associated with your payment method.
* Double-check all the information you have entered to ensure it is correct.
**6. Confirming Your Subscription:**
* After entering your payment information, review the terms and conditions of the Audible subscription.
* Make sure you understand the billing cycle, the renewal policy, and the cancellation policy.
* Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions.
* Click on the “Start your free trial” or “Subscribe now” button to complete the subscription process.
* You may be asked to verify your payment method. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification.
**7. Downloading the Audible App (Optional but Recommended):**
* While you can listen to audiobooks on the Audible website, the Audible app provides a much better listening experience.
* The app is available for iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android devices.
* To download the app, go to the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android) on your device.
* Search for “Audible” in the store.
* Download and install the Audible app.
* Open the app and sign in with your Amazon/Audible account credentials.
**8. Browsing and Purchasing Audiobooks:**
* Once you have subscribed to Audible, you can start browsing and purchasing audiobooks.
* On the Audible website or in the app, you can browse by genre, author, narrator, popularity, or release date.
* You can also use the search bar to find specific audiobooks.
* When you find an audiobook you’re interested in, click on it to view the details.
* You can listen to a sample of the audiobook before purchasing it.
* If you have an Audible credit, you can use it to purchase the audiobook. Otherwise, you can purchase it with your credit card or debit card.
* After purchasing an audiobook, it will be added to your library.
**9. Listening to Audiobooks:**
* To listen to an audiobook, go to your library in the Audible app or on the Audible website.
* Click on the audiobook you want to listen to.
* The audiobook will start playing automatically.
* The Audible app offers various playback controls, including:
* **Play/Pause:** To start or stop playback.
* **Skip Forward/Backward:** To skip ahead or back in the audiobook.
* **Speed Control:** To adjust the playback speed.
* **Sleep Timer:** To set a timer for the audiobook to stop playing automatically.
* **Bookmarks:** To save your place in the audiobook.
* You can also adjust the audio quality and download the audiobook for offline listening.
## Understanding Audible Membership Tiers in Detail
Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of each Audible membership tier:
**1. Audible Plus:**
* **Key Feature:** Unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog.
* **What it Includes:** Thousands of audiobooks, Audible Originals, podcasts, and more, all within the Plus Catalog. Think of it like Netflix for audiobooks. You can listen to anything in the catalog as much as you want, as long as you are a member.
* **What it Doesn’t Include:** A monthly credit for purchasing audiobooks to *own* permanently. You only have access to the Plus Catalog.
* **Best For:** Listeners who enjoy variety and exploring new authors and genres without committing to purchasing individual titles. It’s ideal for casual listeners who want a wide range of content at their fingertips.
* **Considerations:** If you prefer to own your audiobooks and build a personal library, this plan might not be the best fit. You only have access to the included content, not the entire Audible library.
**2. Audible Premium Plus:**
* **Key Feature:** Unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog *plus* one credit per month to purchase any audiobook you want, regardless of price.
* **What it Includes:** Everything in the Audible Plus plan, plus one credit to use on any audiobook in the entire Audible library (even titles not included in the Plus Catalog). You own these purchased titles forever, even if you cancel your membership.
* **What it Doesn’t Include:** More than one credit per month. If you want to purchase multiple audiobooks each month, you’ll need to buy additional credits (which are often discounted). While you can buy audiobooks directly without using a credit at the list price, it is more economical to buy using credits.
* **Best For:** Listeners who want the flexibility of both unlimited streaming and the ability to own specific audiobooks. It’s a good balance between access and ownership.
* **Considerations:** If you listen to a lot of audiobooks each month, you might find that one credit is not enough. Consider upgrading to the Premium Plus plan with two credits or purchasing additional credits.
**3. Audible Premium Plus (2 Credits):**
* **Key Feature:** Unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog *plus* two credits per month to purchase any audiobooks you want.
* **What it Includes:** Everything in the Audible Plus plan, plus *two* credits each month to use on any audiobook. This lets you rapidly build your library.
* **What it Doesn’t Include:** More than two credits per month, though additional credits can be purchased.
* **Best For:** Avid listeners who want to build their audiobook library quickly and have the budget for a slightly more expensive plan. Perfect for those who regularly devour multiple audiobooks each month.
* **Considerations:** This is the most expensive plan of the three. Consider if you *really* need two credits each month before subscribing.
## Tips for Maximizing Your Audible Experience
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Audible subscription:
* **Take advantage of the free trial:** Use the free trial period to explore the Audible Plus Catalog and try out different audiobooks.
* **Listen to samples:** Before purchasing an audiobook, listen to a sample to see if you like the narrator and the writing style.
* **Utilize the Audible app features:** Experiment with the playback controls, sleep timer, and bookmarks to enhance your listening experience.
* **Download audiobooks for offline listening:** Download audiobooks to your device to listen offline, especially when traveling or in areas with limited internet access.
* **Explore the Audible Plus Catalog:** Take advantage of the unlimited listening access to the Audible Plus Catalog to discover new authors and genres.
* **Join Audible communities:** Connect with other audiobook listeners in online forums and communities to discuss your favorite titles and discover new recommendations.
* **Check for daily deals and promotions:** Audible often offers daily deals and promotions on audiobooks. Keep an eye out for these deals to save money.
* **Use your credits wisely:** Save your credits for audiobooks that are not included in the Audible Plus Catalog or that are particularly expensive.
* **Return audiobooks you didn’t enjoy:** If you didn’t enjoy an audiobook, you can return it for a full credit, as long as you are within their stated return policy timeframe.
* **Listen at different speeds:** Adjust the playback speed to find a comfortable pace. Some listeners prefer to listen at a faster speed to consume more content.
## Troubleshooting Common Audible Issues
Even with a user-friendly platform like Audible, you might encounter occasional issues. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them:
* **Problem: Audiobooks won’t download.**
* **Solution:** Check your internet connection. Make sure you have a stable and strong Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
* **Solution:** Ensure you have enough storage space on your device. Delete unnecessary files or apps to free up space.
* **Solution:** Restart the Audible app. Close the app completely and reopen it.
* **Solution:** Update the Audible app. Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed.
* **Solution:** Clear the Audible app cache. In the app settings, look for an option to clear the cache.
* **Problem: Audiobooks won’t play.**
* **Solution:** Make sure the audiobook is fully downloaded.
* **Solution:** Check your device’s volume. Ensure the volume is turned up and not muted.
* **Solution:** Restart the Audible app and your device.
* **Solution:** Delete the audiobook and re-download it.
* **Solution:** Check for DRM issues. If you’re trying to play an audiobook on an unauthorized device, it might not work due to Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions.
* **Problem: Credit not showing up.**
* **Solution:** Allow some time for the credit to be applied to your account. It usually takes a few hours.
* **Solution:** Sign out and sign back into your Audible account.
* **Solution:** Contact Audible customer support.
* **Problem: App crashing or freezing.**
* **Solution:** Close and reopen the Audible app.
* **Solution:** Restart your device.
* **Solution:** Update the Audible app to the latest version.
* **Solution:** Clear the Audible app cache.
* **Solution:** Reinstall the Audible app.
* **Problem: Trouble redeeming a promotional code.**
* **Solution:** Double-check the code for typos.
* **Solution:** Ensure the code hasn’t expired.
* **Solution:** Make sure the code is applicable to your account or region.
* **Solution:** Contact Audible customer support.
If you’re still experiencing issues, the best course of action is to contact Audible customer support directly. They have a dedicated team that can assist you with any technical problems or account-related inquiries. You can usually find their contact information on the Audible website or in the app.
## Cancelling Your Audible Subscription
While Audible offers a fantastic listening experience, you may eventually need to cancel your subscription. Here’s how to do it:
* **On the Audible Website:**
* Go to the Audible website ([www.audible.com](www.audible.com)) and sign in to your account.
* Hover over your name in the top right corner of the screen and click on “Account Details.”
* Under “Membership Details,” click on “Cancel Membership.”
* Audible will likely try to offer you a discount or other incentive to stay. You can choose to accept or decline the offer.
* Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation process. You may be asked to provide a reason for cancelling.
* You will receive a confirmation email after your subscription has been cancelled.
* **Through the Audible App (Sometimes Limited):**
* The ability to cancel directly through the app can vary depending on how you initially subscribed (e.g., directly through Audible vs. through Apple’s App Store). If you subscribed through Apple, you’ll need to manage your subscription through your Apple account settings.
* If the option is available, go to the app settings or account settings within the Audible app.
* Look for a “Manage Subscription” or “Cancel Membership” option.
* Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation process.
**Important Considerations When Cancelling:**
* **Keep your credits:** Before cancelling, use any remaining credits you have in your account. Once you cancel, you may lose access to those credits.
* **You keep your purchased audiobooks:** Audiobooks purchased with credits are yours to keep, even after you cancel your subscription. You can continue to listen to them in the Audible app.
* **Access to Audible Plus Catalog ends:** You will lose access to the Audible Plus Catalog content once your subscription is cancelled.
* **Check your billing cycle:** Cancel your subscription before your next billing date to avoid being charged for another month.
* **Re-subscribing is easy:** If you decide to come back to Audible in the future, you can easily re-subscribe.
## Exploring Alternatives to Audible
While Audible is the dominant player in the audiobook market, several alternatives offer unique features and benefits. Here are a few options to consider:
* **Libby (OverDrive):** This is a free app that allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. It’s a great option if you want to listen to audiobooks without paying for a subscription.
* **Spotify:** Spotify Premium includes access to a selection of audiobooks in addition to its vast music library. This can be a cost-effective option if you’re already a Spotify subscriber.
* **Google Play Books:** Google Play Books offers a wide selection of audiobooks for purchase, similar to Audible. You can buy individual titles without a subscription.
* **Kobo Audiobooks:** Kobo offers a subscription service and individual audiobook purchases. They often have competitive pricing and a user-friendly app.
* **Scribd:** Scribd offers a subscription service that includes access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more. It’s a good option if you want a diverse range of content.
Each of these alternatives has its own strengths and weaknesses. Consider your budget, listening habits, and content preferences when choosing the best option for you.
## Conclusion
Subscribing to Audible opens up a world of audio entertainment, providing a convenient and enriching way to enjoy books and other spoken-word content. By following this comprehensive guide, you can easily navigate the subscription process, choose the right membership plan, and maximize your listening pleasure. Whether you’re a seasoned audiobook enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Audible has something to offer everyone. So, grab your headphones, settle in, and get ready to embark on an auditory adventure!