Audible offers a vast library of audiobooks, but how do you get them onto your Mac for listening? Whether you want to listen directly through Apple's ecosystem or need more flexibility to play your purchased books on any device, there are ways to download Audible books on Mac. As of 2025, there isn't a dedicated Audible desktop app on Mac users can install like on some other platforms, but you still have options.
This guide explores two primary methods for getting your Audible content onto your macOS computer.
Part 1. Understanding Audible Files on Mac
Before diving into download methods, it's important to understand what makes Audible audiobooks unique. Audible books typically come in proprietary formats like AAX and AA, which aren't compatible with standard media players. This is because Audible protects its content with Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology, which restricts how and where you can listen to your purchased audiobooks.
When you download an Audible book on your Mac, you're essentially downloading a protected file that can only be played through authorized applications or devices. This limitation is designed to prevent unauthorized sharing, but it also creates obstacles for legitimate users who simply want flexibility in how they enjoy their purchased content.
For Mac users specifically, these limitations mean that even after downloading Audible books, you may face restrictions on:
- Which applications can play your audiobooks
- How many devices can access your library
- Whether you can create backups of your purchases
- If you can share audiobooks with family members
- Your ability to listen to books after canceling an Audible subscription
Understanding these constraints is crucial for determining which download and playback method will work best for your needs.
Part 2. Download Audible Books on Mac from Audible Website
Despite the discontinuation of the dedicated desktop app, you can still download Audible books directly from the Audible website:
Step 1. Open your preferred web browser on your Mac
Step 2. Navigate to audible.com and sign in with your Amazon account
Step 3. Go to your Library section
Step 4. Find the audiobook you want to download
Step 5. Click the "Download" button next to the title (if available)
Step 6. Once downloaded, the file will typically be saved to your Downloads folder
On macOS Catalina or later, Apple Books has replaced iTunes as the default media player. So after downloading, you can import the downloaded Audible books into Apple Books for listening:
Step 1. Open Apple Books, select File > Add to Library from the menu bar
Step 2. Navigate to your downloaded Audible file
Step 3. Select it and click Add
Remember that before you can listen to an audiobook from Audible, your computer needs to be authorized. This involves signing into your Audible account and verifying your ownership of the content.
Part 3. Download Audible Books on Mac with DRmare
While the official methods work well within Audible's ecosystem, they still come with the limitations of DRM protection. This is where specialized tools like DRmare Audible Converter come into play, offering Mac users a powerful solution for enjoying their audiobooks without restrictions.
DRmare Audible Converter stands out as a premier solution for Mac users who want complete control over their Audible library. It effectively addresses the limitations of Audible's DRM by converting protected AAX/AA files into universal formats like MP3, FLAC, and more.
Key Features of DRmare Audible Converter
- Lightning-Fast Conversion: With conversion speeds up to 100X faster than many competitors, DRmare can process even lengthy audiobooks in minutes rather than hours.
- Lossless Quality Preservation: The conversion process maintains the original audio quality, ensuring you don't sacrifice sound fidelity for convenience.
- Chapter Information Retention: Unlike some converters that produce a single long audio file, DRmare preserves chapter markers, making navigation easy.
- Format Flexibility: Convert to multiple output formats including MP3, FLAC, M4A, M4B, WAV, and AAC, allowing compatibility with virtually any device or player.
- Batch Processing: Convert multiple audiobooks simultaneously, saving time when processing your library.
- ID3 Tag Editor: Customize metadata including title, author, album art, and more.
- Splitting Capabilities: Divide large audiobooks into smaller segments based on chapters, time intervals, or custom markers.
- Mac Compatibility: Fully optimized for macOS, including the latest versions.
How to Download Audible Books to Mac with DRmare Audible Converter
Converting your Audible books is simpler than you might think. Follow these three easy steps to enjoy your audiobooks without restrictions.
- Step 1Import Your Audible Books
Download and install DRmare Audible Converter on your Mac. Open the program and click the "Add Files" button at the bottom left corner. Browse to locate your downloaded Audible books, select the ones you want to convert, and add them to DRmare.
- Step 2Select Your Preferred Output Format
Click the "Format" icon to open the settings window. Choose your desired output format - MP3 works universally, but you can also select M4B, AAC, or others based on your needs. Adjust the audio quality settings like bit rate and codec if desired. Click "OK" when you're done.
- Step 3Start the Conversion Process
Click the "Convert" button to begin transforming your Audible books. You can watch the progress in the conversion window. Once complete, click the "Converted" button to find your newly converted audiobooks, ready to enjoy on any device!
The beauty of this approach is that once converted, your audiobooks are completely portable and future-proof. Even if you cancel your Audible subscription, these files remain accessible, and you can play them using any audio player on any device.
Part 4. FAQs about Downloading Audible Audiobooks on Mac
Q1. Can you download Audible books directly onto a Mac?
A1. Yes, you can download Audible books from Audible website or within the Apple Books application after authorization. The downloaded files will be in Audible's protected AAX format.
Q2. Is there an official Audible app for Mac?
A2. No, as of 2025, Audible does not offer a dedicated Audible app for the macOS desktop like it does for mobile platforms. The official integration for managing and listening to downloaded books on modern Macs is through the built-in Apple Books app.
Q3. Where are Audible downloads stored on a Mac?
A3. When you download Audible files using the official Apple Books method, the AAX files are typically stored within the Books app's sandboxed library data (often deep within your User Library folder). They aren't placed in a simple folder like regular documents for easy access. However, if you use a tool like DRmare Audible Converter to create MP3 or M4A copies, you get to choose the standard, easily accessible folder where these converted files are saved.
Q4. How do I listen to Audible books on my Mac?
A4. You have several options to listen to Audible on Mac:
-
Stream directly from the Audible website.
-
Using the Apple Books app.
-
Convert your downloaded AAX files to MP3/M4A using a tool like DRmare (Method 2) and listen using any media player on your Mac (e.g., Music app, VLC, QuickTime).
Part 5. Conclusion
Despite Audible's discontinuation of its dedicated Mac app, Mac users still have multiple options for downloading and enjoying Audible books. The official method through the Audible website works well for basic access, but comes with the limitations of DRM protection.
For those seeking complete flexibility and control over their audiobook libraries, DRmare Audible Converter offers the most comprehensive solution. Its combination of speed, quality preservation, and format options makes it the standout choice for serious audiobook enthusiasts.
Home
User Comments
Leave a Comment