Can You Read Books on Audible? [Explained]

Amazon’s Audible is an audio content retailer and streaming service. Audible is the world’s largest audiobook producer and retailer and also offers its users podcasts and other forms of spoken word content.

It is not possible to read Audible books as they are in audiobook format. You can listen to Audible books using Audible apps on compatible devices (smartphones, tablets, iPads, Alexa devices, and computers).

While you cannot read your audiobooks on the Audible app, there are some workarounds that I will discuss in this article.

How to Read Audible Books

If you ended up here looking for how to read an Audible book? This section covers two ways to read Audible books.

Method 1: Whispersync for Voice

Method 2: Immersion Reading

1: Whispersync for Voice

Audible’s Whispersync for Voice feature allows seamless switching between listening to and reading a book. You can use this feature on Kindle devices and Kindle apps on your iOS and Android devices (smartphones and tablets).

Users can listen and read simultaneously to enjoy the benefits of immersion reading. When you move from text to audio and back again, it automatically syncs your last reading or listening positions.

When you buy a Kindle book, you are offered to add the Audible narration at a discounted rate.

If you purchase the audiobook with an eBook, both versions will automatically sync on your Audible/Kindle devices.

Note: In case of any syncing issues, ensure your app settings have the “sync listening position” turned on. Go to Profile > Settings > Player to turn it on.

Titles with Whispersync for Voice feature have the following icon

The ‘Whispersynced’ books are marked on Audible and Amazon.

Amazon offers over 500,000 whispersync for voice ready titles from all genres and the list is growing.

These books fit easily into your daily routine and enable you to read and listen across devices without losing your place.

For bedtime reading sessions, you can use Kindle, kindle apps, or other devices to read. You can continue the story with the audiobook version during your commute to work in the morning.

You do not have to do anything for whispersync other than owning both formats (eBook and audiobook).

Whispersync for Voice offers many benefits for audiobook lovers including

• Whispersync Deals: Whispersynced audiobooks are offered at significantly reduced price as compared to their price on Audible. You can get many audiobooks for $1.99. If you want to purchase an audiobook, always check Amazon first to see if you can get the “whispersync deal” on the book.

• This feature makes it possible to read or listen to your favorite book on different devices with auto-synching.

• Users can experience immersion reading. You can listen to the audiobook while reading the eBook. This is an experience many users enjoy.
• Kindle Unlimited members can get even better deals. If the eBook is included in KU, you can borrow it for free and buy the audiobook for only $1.99 (in many cases). The audiobook will automatically be added to your Audible library.
• Audible membership is not required for Whispersync audiobooks. You can buy the Whispersync deals even if you do not have an active Audible membership. These deals are a great option for users who don’t like monthly Audible subscriptions.

For Whispersync feature, Amazon requires Kindle and Audible versions to be exactly the same, word by word.

This is the reason that it sometimes takes a few weeks, after an audiobook release, for Amazon to add the Whispersync deal for newly released books.

Here is the list of Whispersync for Voice-compatible devices.

Devices	Reading Support	Listening Support
Kindle Apps [Android/ iOS/ Mac/ PC]	Supported	Supported
Kindle	Supported	Supported
Kindle Paperwhite	Supported	Supported
Kindle Oasis	Supported	Supported
Fire Tablets	Supported	Supported
Alexa Devices	–	Supported
Audible iOS app	–	Supported
Audible Android App	–	Supported

2: Immersion Reading

Immersion Reading allows you to read a Kindle book (on the supported devices and Kindle apps for iOS and Android) while listening to the Audible audiobook, simultaneously. The audio narration is also highlighted on the screen as you read.

Immersion Reading is one of the major benefits of audiobooks

Immersion Reading is not the same as Whispersync for Voice feature. While Immersion Reading allows you to listen and read a book at the same time, Whispersync makes it easy to switch between reading and listening with auto-synching.

To use the Immersion Reading feature, you need to purchase both eBook and audiobook versions.

How to use Immersion Reading on Kindle

To use Immersion Reading on your Kindle devices, the best practice is to download both eBook and audiobook in advance for a more seamless experience.

• Open the eBook on your Kindle and Tap on the screen
• Tap the Play button at the bottom of the screen

The audiobook will play, highlighting the text as it is narrated.

To start with Immersion Reading in Kindle apps (on your smartphones, computers, and tablets, etc), visit the Amazon Immersion Reading Help page.

Immersion Reading works for all Whispered for Voice ready books. You need to buy the audiobook narration at the same time as you buy the Kindle book. 

Here is the list of Immersion Reading supported devices.

• Fire 7^th Generation
• Fire HD 8 (5^th, 6^th and 7^th Generations)
• Fire HD 10 (5^th Generation)
• Fire HD 7 (4^th Generation)
• Fire HD 6 (4^th Generation)
• Fire HDX 8.9” (4^th Generation)
• Fire (5^th Generation)
• Kindle app for iOS devices including iPhone & iPad [How to use Audible on iPad]
• Kindle App for Android
• Kindle App for Mac
• Kindle App for PC

To avoid any compatibility issues, always use the latest version of apps. You can find the full list of Whispersync for Voice and Immersion Reading supported devices on Audible’s Website.