How to Cancel Audible: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you finding that your Audible library is gathering digital dust, and your monthly subscription fee is starting to feel less like an investment in enriching stories and more like a recurring expense you’re not utilizing? You’re not alone. Many Audible users find themselves needing to pause or completely cancel their subscription for various reasons, whether it’s shifting budgets, a change in listening habits, or simply a desire to explore other audio entertainment options.

Navigating the cancellation process can sometimes feel like an audio drama of its own, filled with unexpected plot twists and hidden chapters. Understanding the steps involved, knowing what happens to your credits and purchased audiobooks, and being aware of potential alternatives can save you time, money, and frustration. Canceling your Audible subscription should be a simple and straightforward process, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: enjoying your audiobooks or finding a platform that better suits your current needs.

What Happens When I Cancel My Audible Subscription?

How do I cancel my Audible subscription?

You can cancel your Audible subscription online through the Audible website. Simply sign in to your account, navigate to the “Account Details” page, and look for the “Cancel Membership” option. Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation. Note that the exact wording and placement of buttons may vary slightly depending on your region and device.

Cancelling your Audible membership will prevent future billing, but you will typically retain access to any audiobooks you purchased with credits or cash. These remain in your Audible library even after cancellation. However, access to Audible Originals included in your membership, as well as any member benefits like discounts and exclusive sales, will generally cease at the end of your billing cycle. Before you cancel, consider exploring alternative options that might better suit your needs. Audible often offers pausing options that allow you to temporarily suspend your membership for a set period without losing your progress or library. You might also be eligible for a discounted rate or a different plan that better aligns with your listening habits and budget. Contacting Audible customer support is a good way to explore these potential solutions before fully cancelling your account.

What happens to my audiobooks if I cancel Audible?

If you cancel your Audible subscription, you generally retain access to all the audiobooks you purchased with credits or cash. These are yours to keep and listen to even after your membership ends. However, any audiobooks accessed through the Audible Plus catalog (included in your membership) will no longer be available once your subscription is cancelled.

When you purchase an audiobook using an Audible credit or with money, it is added to your Audible library as a permanent purchase. This means that you can download and listen to it whenever you like, regardless of your membership status. You can access these purchased titles through the Audible app or website, even after cancelling your subscription. Think of it like buying an ebook – you own it even if you cancel your ebook subscription service. On the other hand, the Audible Plus catalog is a collection of audiobooks that are available to listen to as part of your membership. It functions similarly to a streaming service. While you have an active subscription, you can listen to anything in the Plus catalog. However, once you cancel, access to these titles is revoked. You’ll need to re-subscribe or purchase them individually to listen to them again. It’s a good idea to check which books in your library are “included with your membership” before cancelling, so you know which ones you’ll lose access to.

Can I still listen to my audiobooks after canceling?

Yes, you can still listen to audiobooks you’ve purchased with Audible credits or directly purchased with money even after canceling your Audible membership. These books are yours to keep and will remain in your Audible library.

Audible operates on two principles: membership and ownership. The membership provides benefits like monthly credits and discounts, but it’s separate from the actual ownership of the audiobooks you acquire. When you redeem a credit or purchase an audiobook, you own it. This means that even if you cancel your subscription, the audiobooks you’ve legally purchased stay in your library and can be accessed via the Audible app or website. Think of it like buying a physical book – canceling your library card doesn’t mean you have to return the books you bought! It’s important to remember that this applies only to audiobooks you have *purchased*. Any audiobooks you borrowed through Audible Plus (a streaming service similar to Netflix) will no longer be accessible once your membership is canceled. Only titles acquired using a credit or purchased outright remain in your account. Before canceling, it might be useful to download all the books you plan to listen to offline, just in case you anticipate being somewhere without a reliable internet connection. This ensures uninterrupted listening pleasure even without an active Audible membership.

Is there a cancellation fee for Audible?

No, Audible does not charge a cancellation fee. You can cancel your membership at any time without incurring any penalties.

Audible allows its users to cancel their membership without fees because they operate on a subscription model. Cancelling simply stops future billing cycles. It’s important to note that while you won’t be charged a cancellation fee, the cancellation will impact your access to certain membership benefits. For instance, after cancelling, you generally retain access to audiobooks you’ve purchased with credits or cash. However, your access to Audible Plus catalog titles (if included in your membership) will cease upon cancellation. Any credits you have at the time of cancellation may be subject to forfeiture depending on the terms of your specific membership and local regulations. Audible often offers options to pause your membership for a period instead of cancelling outright, which may be a better solution if you plan to return to the service later. Before canceling, consider using any remaining credits you have to purchase audiobooks, as these books will remain in your library even after your membership is canceled. Also, explore Audible’s help resources, as they sometimes offer incentives or deals to retain subscribers, potentially making it worthwhile to continue your membership under different terms.

How do I cancel Audible on my iPhone?

You can’t directly cancel your Audible subscription through the Audible app on your iPhone due to Apple’s in-app purchase restrictions. Instead, you’ll need to cancel via the Audible website on a computer or mobile browser, or through your Apple App Store subscriptions if you subscribed through Apple.

To cancel via the Audible website, open a web browser (like Safari or Chrome) on your iPhone and go to the Audible website. Sign in to your account. Then, tap the menu icon (usually three lines or dots) and navigate to “Account Details.” From there, find the “Cancel Membership” option. You’ll likely be presented with reasons to stay and alternative options, but continue to follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation. You’ll receive an email confirming the cancellation. If you originally subscribed to Audible through the Apple App Store, you can cancel through your iPhone settings. Go to Settings, then tap your name at the top, then “Subscriptions.” Find your Audible subscription and tap “Cancel Subscription.” Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm the cancellation. This will prevent future charges from going through your Apple ID. Remember that even after cancelling, you’ll typically retain access to your Audible content until the end of your current billing cycle.

Can I pause my Audible subscription instead of canceling?

Yes, in many cases, you can pause your Audible subscription instead of canceling it. This can be a great option if you want to take a break from your membership without losing your accumulated credits or access to your Audible library.

Audible offers a pause feature, typically for a duration of one to three months, depending on your location and subscription plan. During this pause, you won’t be charged your monthly subscription fee, but you also won’t receive any new credits. Importantly, you’ll retain access to all the audiobooks you’ve purchased with credits or cash, and they will remain in your library. You can resume your subscription at any time before the pause period ends. To check if you’re eligible to pause your subscription and to initiate the pause, you’ll typically need to log into your Audible account on a desktop computer or through the mobile website. The option to pause is usually found in the “Account Details” or “Membership Details” section. Keep in mind that certain promotional or special offer subscriptions might not be eligible for pausing, so it’s always best to check the terms of your specific plan. Pausing offers a convenient way to maintain your Audible account without the ongoing cost if you know you won’t be using it for a while.

How can I reactivate my Audible account after canceling?

Reactivating your Audible account is usually a straightforward process. Typically, you can reactivate by visiting the Audible website, signing in with your original credentials, and selecting a new membership plan. Your account will be restored, and you’ll regain access to your previously purchased audiobooks and any membership benefits associated with your chosen plan.

The exact steps might vary slightly depending on the region where you originally created your account. Generally, look for a link or button on the Audible website that indicates “Reactivate Membership,” “Resume Subscription,” or something similar. If you don’t see an obvious reactivation option, navigate to your account details or subscription settings after logging in. From there, you should be able to choose a new plan and complete the reactivation process. If you encounter any difficulties reactivating your account online, contacting Audible’s customer support is always a reliable option. They can guide you through the process, troubleshoot any issues you might be facing, and ensure that your account is properly reactivated. They may ask you to verify your identity for security purposes before restoring your membership.

And that’s all there is to it! We hope this guide helped you successfully cancel your Audible membership. We’re sad to see you go, but we totally understand. Thanks for giving Audible a try! We hope you’ll consider coming back in the future when the mood strikes – your audiobooks will be waiting.