This article shows you how to download and convert an audiobook distributed by Audible. Since this type of file is equipped with DRM, a digital copy protection that normally cannot be removed using classic audio conversion software, you will need to obtain special software, capable of doing this task, before you can perform the conversion. You also need to use iTunes to locate and manage the audiobook file.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Downloading an Audiobook in Windows
Step 1. Install iTunes if it is not already on your computer
iTunes is one of the few programs that can process Audible audiobooks and will also help you locate the audiobook files you have downloaded when you need them.
Most Audible content converters require the use of iTunes, so it will need to be installed on your computer
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking on the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 3. Access the Microsoft Store by clicking on the icon
If you don't see the store icon in the "Start" menu, type the keyword store, then click on the item
which will appear in the list of results.
Step 4. Search for the Audible app
Click on the search bar in the upper right corner of the Windows Store window, then type the keyword audible and press the Enter key.
Step 5. Click the Get button
It is blue in color and is located on the left side of the store page dedicated to the Audible app. The program will be downloaded and installed on your computer.
Step 6. Click the Start button when prompted
It will appear in the exact spot where the button was Get. The Audible app login page will be displayed.
Step 7. Log in with your Amazon account
Click on the item Log in, enter the email address and password you use to log into the Amazon website, then click the button Log in.
Step 8. Download the audiobook you want
Click the down arrow icon in the lower left corner of the cover of the audiobook you want to download, then click the option Not now if you were asked to listen to the content of the streaming file. The selected audiobook will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 9. Click on the ⋯ button
It is located in the lower right corner of the audiobook icon of your choice. The corresponding context menu will be displayed.
Step 10. Click on Import to iTunes option
It is displayed at the bottom of the drop-down menu that appeared. The audiobook in question will be added to the iTunes library. This way you can convert it.
Part 2 of 3: Download an Audiobook on Mac
Step 1. Log in to the Audible website
Paste the URL https://www.audible.com/home into the address bar of your computer's browser and press the "Enter" key. If you are already logged in with your account, the main page of the site will be displayed.
If you haven't logged into Audible yet, click the button Log in in the upper right corner of the page, then enter your email address and security password when prompted.
Step 2. Select the Library entry
It is one of the tabs located at the top of the page. Place the mouse cursor on the indicated option, a drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Click on the My Books item
It is one of the options listed in the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 4. Find the book you want to download
A list of all your audiobooks should appear on the selected page.
Step 5. Click the Download button
It is black in color and located to the right of the title of the audiobook you have chosen. The corresponding file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 6. Authorize the Mac if prompted
If a pop-up window appears asking to authorize the computer to access the Audible profile, click on the button Yup, log in using your Amazon account credentials and finally click on the link Click here to complete the activation!
. At this point you should be able to view Audible audiobooks within iTunes.
Part 3 of 3: Performing the Audio Conversion
Step 1. Purchase and install audio file conversion software that can remove DRM protection
Unfortunately, there is no free and reliable program that can remove DRM protection from any file distributed by Audible and, although many of the programs that can do this have a free demo version, to be able to convert the entire file you will need to purchase the full version of the software. Here is a list of programs, available for Windows and Mac systems, that are capable of removing DRM protection:
- TuneFab;
- DRMare Audio Converter;
- Noteburner iTunes DRM Audio Converter.
Step 2. Launch iTunes
Double-click the iTunes app icon with a multicolored music note on a white background.
Step 3. Access the tab reserved for audiobooks
Click on the drop-down menu at the top left of the iTunes window (usually it is characterized by the wording Music), then click on the item Audiobooks. The list of all audiobooks in the iTunes media library will be displayed.
Step 4. Locate the audiobook file in question on your computer
- Windows - select the name of the audiobook with the right mouse button, then click on the item Show in File Explorer displayed in the context menu that appeared.
- Mac - click once on the name of the audiobook you have chosen, click on the menu File, then click on the item Show in Finder displayed in the drop-down menu that appeared.
Step 5. Copy the audiobook file directly to your desktop
In this way it will be much easier and more immediate to perform the conversion:
- Select the audiobook icon by clicking it once with the mouse;
- Press the key combination Ctrl + C (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (on Mac) to make a copy of the file;
- Access the computer desktop and click an empty spot on the latter;
- Press the key combination Ctrl + V (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + V (on Mac) to paste the file to your desktop.
Step 6. Launch the conversion file you purchased
Double-click the program icon you downloaded and installed in the previous steps.
If you only downloaded the free trial version of the program, you will most likely need to log in or create an account by providing a valid payment method before you can continue using the software
Step 7. Select the Audible file to convert
Click on the item Browse or Open placed in the program window, then click on the name of the audio file you copied to the desktop and click on the button You open.
- In some cases, you can drag the file icon directly into the conversion program window.
- Your chosen program may be able to detect audiobook files on its own. In this case click on the tab Audiobooks software to search for the name of the audiobook you want to convert.
Step 8. Select the audio format to use for conversion
After uploading the audiobook file into the program, you will need to locate the conversion options section and click on the audio format you prefer. In most cases, you will need to use the MP3.
The AAC format is also a viable option, although it is compatible with fewer platforms than MP3
Step 9. Convert the audiobook
Click on the button OK or Convert to convert the audiobook file to MP3 (or AAC) format. At the end of the process you will be able to play the resulting audio file as if it were a normal media file with any program capable of playing the audio files.
