Audiobooks have become an integral part of its offerings with the expansion of Spotify's content library. While many users have welcomed this addition, there is a significant Spotify audiobook limit: Spotify Premium subscribers are restricted to 15 hours of audiobook listening per month.
This cap can be frustrating for audiobook enthusiasts, making it essential to understand how to manage Spotify audiobook listening time effectively and explore options for extending or bypassing the limit. This article will guide you through Spotify's audiobook restrictions and provide strategies for maximizing your listening experience.
Part 1. How Does Spotify Audiobook Limit Work?
Limited Spotify Audiobook Listening Time
Spotify offers audiobook access exclusively to Premium subscribers, but with a 15-hour monthly listening limit. This restriction resets at the start of each billing cycle, and any unused time does not roll over. Once you've exhausted your hours, you won't be able to continue listening unless you purchase additional time.
Who Gets Audiobook Access?
- Individual Premium users receive a personal 15-hour allocation.
- Duo and Family plan subscribers do not get separate audiobook hours—only the main account holder can access audiobooks.
- Free-tier users do not have access to audiobooks at all.
What Happens When You Reach the Limit?
- Your audiobook playback automatically stops until the next billing cycle.
- You have the option to purchase extra audiobook hours for an additional fee.
Part 2. How to Make the Most of Spotify Audiobook Listening Hours
Spotify's audiobook feature offers a valuable way to listen to audiobooks on the go, but with a strict 15-hour listening limit per month, users must be strategic in managing their time. Here are some ways to manage your audiobook listening hours on Spotify:
Choose Spotify Audiobooks Within the Limit
- Select shorter audiobooks that fit within the 15-hour timeframe.
- Split longer books into multiple months to avoid running out of time quickly.
- Prioritize high-value books and plan your listening schedule accordingly.
Monitor Your Audiobook Usage
To ensure you don't unexpectedly run out of audiobook hours, it's crucial to keep an eye on your usage throughout the month. Spotify provides a way to check your remaining listening hours directly within the app and on desktop. Here's how you can check your available audiobook time:
On Mobile:
- Click your profile picture on your Android phone or iPhone.
- Hit Settings and privacy and go to the Account section. Tap the name of your Spotify subscription.
- You can select Manage audiobook time to view your remaining hours.
On Desktop:
- Go to your Spotify account page in a web browser.
- Scroll down to Subscription and find Audiobook listening time to check your available hours.
Additionally, be mindful of your billing cycle renewal date. Since Spotify resets your audiobook hours each month on your billing date, keeping track of when this occurs allows you to plan your listening accordingly. Marking your calendar or setting a reminder can help you stay aware of when your hours will refresh, ensuring you get the most out of your audiobook access.
Optimize Playback for Maximum Efficiency
- Adjust playback speed: Increase Spotify playback speed for faster consumption of content.
- Pause strategically: Avoid leaving audiobooks playing when you're not actively listening.
- Use bookmarks: Ensure you don't waste time searching for where you left off.
Part 3. How to Get More Audiobook Hours on Spotify
For audiobook lovers who find the 15-hour monthly limit on Spotify restrictive, there is a way to extend your listening time. Spotify offers a Top-ups option to purchase additional listening time if they exceed the 15-hour limit. Below, we explore how to top up audiobooks on Spotify.
Purchase Extra Hours via Spotify Top-ups
Step 1. Go to your Spotify account page and log in to your premium account.
Step 2. Under Manage your plan, you can choose Manage your audiobook listening time.
Step 3. Click on Top up and choose the number of additional hours you want to buy (10 hours for $12.99). When you are out of audiobook listening hour, it will pop up a window, allowing you to grab a top-up directly.
Step 4. Complete the purchase using your preferred payment method (credit/debit card, PayPal, or Google Play billing). This is valid for 12 months from the purchase date.
Note:
This is available to Premium Individual subscribers and Family/Duo plan managers.
Part 4. How to Break Spotify Premium Audiobook Limits
The official way to remove Spotify's audiobook limit requires outright buying audiobooks. Once purchased, these audiobooks remain available in your library without any time restrictions. However, continuously buying audiobooks can become costly, making it impractical for many users. Fortunately, there is an alternative method to bypass Spotify's 15-hour audiobook limit and gain unlimited offline listening.
DRmare Spotify Music Converter is a powerful third-party tool that allows users to download and convert Spotify audiobooks into popular formats such as MP3, FLAC, and WAV. By saving audiobooks directly to your local computer, this tool ensures unrestricted playback beyond Spotify's limitations. Additionally, converted audiobooks can be transferred to any device, allowing you to enjoy them offline anytime, anywhere.
Step 1. Download and install DRmare Spotify Music Converter on your computer. Copy and paste the audiobook link into the software's address bar or drag and drop audiobooks from Spotify into the conversion interface.
Step 2. Click the Menu > Preferences > Convert option to open the setting window, where you can choose an output format (MP3, FLAC, WAV, etc.) to export Spotify audiobooks for compatibility with your devices.
Step 3. Press the big Convert button, this software will convert and download the audiobooks for offline access. Now, you can transfer the files to other devices for playback without limited Spotify audiobook listening time.
Part 5. FAQs about Spotify Audiobook Limit
Q1. How Many Hours of Audiobooks on Spotify Premium?
A1. Spotify Premium subscribers receive 15 hours of audiobook listening per month at no extra cost. This applies to Premium Individual, Duo, and Family plan managers, but sub-accounts in Duo and Family plans do not get separate audiobook hours. Once the 15-hour limit is reached, users must wait until their next billing cycle or purchase additional hours in 10-hour increments for $12.99.
Q2. Why Are Audiobooks Locked on Spotify Premium?
A2. Some audiobooks are locked for non-Premium users or may require individual purchases, as Spotify sells certain audiobooks separately from its subscription plans.
Q3. Can I Listen to Unlimited Audiobooks on Spotify?
A3. Yes. But you have to purchase them or use DRmare Spotify Music Converter to download Spotify audiobooks as common audio files for unlimited playback.
Part 6. Conclusion
Spotify's 15-hour audiobook limit can be restrictive for heavy listeners, but with careful planning and strategic listening, you can maximize your experience. If you need more time, purchasing extra hours may be a viable solution. However, for those seeking unlimited access, tools like DRmare Spotify Music Converter provide an alternative. Ultimately, understanding your options will help you get the most out of Spotify's audiobook service while making informed decisions about extending your listening time.
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