Audiobooks on Audible are designed to fully immerse the listener, and when simple things, such as your screen locking, interrupt the listening experience, it can be frustrating.
We’ve looked at why Audible may stop or cut out, but let’s dig into how it related to screen locks.
If you are experiencing this, then look no further. In this article, we will cover the most common causes of your Audible playback issues and what you can do to fix them.
1. Your Audiobook Download is Corrupted
One of the most common reasons for Audible titles to pause when your screen locks or goes to sleep is that there is a problem with the title in question.
This is particularly true when it is only a specific audiobook that you experience playback issues with.
Sometimes audiobooks on Audible can become corrupted when there is an interruption in the download process.
For example, when you have an unstable internet connection during the download, you may find the audiobook has playback problems when you go to listen to it.
Fixing this issue is extremely straightforward – all you have to do is delete the troublesome audiobook title and re-download it.
If you want to learn how to do so on your iPhone or Android, just take a look at the steps below.
How to Delete & Re-download Audible Audiobooks on iOS & Android Devices
- Launch the Audible app on your device.
- At the bottom, you will see 4 options; Home, Library, Discover & Profile.
- Tap on ‘Library’
- Scroll through your titles and select the one you want to delete.
- Tap the 3 dots on the right, scroll down and select ‘Remove from device’
- The title will be removed but will still remain in your library.
- To re-download, simply click the downward arrow on the title’s icon.
Don’t worry about deleting downloads from your device, as they will still always be available to download again. Any purchase you make on Audible is yours to keep forever.
Check out our article about audible-compatible devices (17 devices checked)!
2. Your Audible App is Outdated
Another extremely common reason audiobooks pause when your screen locks is that you need to update the Audible app.
It’s always recommended to update your app when possible, as doing so will apply any new updates and help keep your listening experience as hassle-free as possible.
All you have to do is take a look at the instructions below to ensure your Audible app is the latest version.
How to Update your Audible App on iOS:
- Start by launching the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
- Find and tap on your profile icon, which is located in the top right of your screen.
- Swipe downwards on your screen to fully refresh any updates available.
- Next, scroll through your apps until you have located Audible.
- Finally, tap on ‘Update’
If you are unable to find Audible in your list of updates, then you are currently running the most up-to-date version of the app.
How to Update Audible on Android
- From your home screen, open the Google Play Store.
- Type ‘Audible’ into the search bar.
- Next to the Audible icon, you will see an ‘Update’ option if there is a new update available to download.
- Simply tap ‘Update’ and the update will begin downloading automatically.
Once complete, try playing an Audible title, and you should find that it will no longer pause when your device’s screen locks or goes to sleep.
3. There is a Problem with Your Device
If Audible keeps pausing when your device’s screen locks, you should try listening on an alternative device because the problem may not actually be on Audible’s end.
Doing this may help you narrow down where the problem lies. If the problem doesn’t occur on your other devices, then you can try looking into how to fix this playback issue by troubleshooting the problematic device in question.
For example, your iPhone or Android mobile may need a system update. Keeping your devices updated is vital when it comes to preventing system glitches, bugs, and privacy issues.
To update your iOS or Android device, take a look at the steps below:
How to Update iOS:
- Start by backing up your device on iCloud or your desktop.
- Ensure your device is plugged into a power source and has a stable internet connection.
- Open ‘Settings’ then navigate to ‘General’
- Next, tap on ‘Software Update’
- Finally, select either ‘Install Now’ or ‘Download and Install’
How to Update an Android Device:
- Begin by opening your Android’s ‘Settings’ app.
- Tap on ‘System’, located at the bottom of your screen.
- Next, tap on ‘System Update’
- Here you will see your update status. All you have to do to update your Android device is follow the instructions on your screen.
4. Your iOS Needs Resetting
This issue applies only to iPhone or iPad users. A common fix to Audible pausing when your iPhone screen locks is to reset your iOS using the hidden functionality available to iOS users.
To do this, simply follow the steps below:
- Open the Audible app.
- Tap on ‘Profile’, located in the bottom right of your screen.
- Tap on ‘Settings’
- Scroll down to the bottom, and you will see some small print highlighting which version of Audible you are running (e.g., Audible 3.82.1).
- Tap and hold down on the text for at least 5-10 seconds to open the hidden function.
- A prompt saying ‘Reset Sign In’ will appear.
- Tap ‘Sign Out’
- Next, close all of your active apps and restart your iOS device.
- When your device is back on, open Audible and sign back in.
- Now try playing an audiobook and locking your screen. You should find that the issue has been resolved.
5. You have Battery Saving Mode Enabled
When apps, including Audible, pause when your device goes to sleep, or you lock the screen, it indicates that you have power saving mode or battery saver activated.
This mode is designed to conserve battery wherever possible by managing background processes, and it will also affect the functionality of apps such as Audible. The best solution is to disable this mode.
To do so on iOS and Android just follow the simple steps below:
How to Disable Low Power Mode on iOS:
- Begin by opening ‘Settings’ on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on ‘Battery’.
- From here, you can toggle ‘Low Power Mode’ off (the slider will go grey).
This should fix any pausing issues you are experiencing with Audible.
How to Disable Battery Saver Mode on Android:
It’s worth noting Android devices have multiple names for this mode; Battery Saver on Google, Power Saving for Samsung, and Power Saving Mode for Realme and others.
The quickest method to disable Battery Saver is to swipe downwards from the top of your screen to open the ‘Quick Settings’ menu. You will see the option to enable or disable Battery Saver.
Here’s another method you can try:
- Begin by opening ‘Settings’ on your Android device.
- Scroll down to ‘Battery’
- You will now see your battery usage, percentage, etc.
- Tap on ‘Battery Saver’
- Here you can toggle the ‘Use Battery Saver’ option on and off.
You can also set the battery saver to disable itself once your phone has reached 90% charge.
If you have other questions about Audible and battery usage, look no further – we have an entire article dedicated to answering your questions!
Sources
Why does Audible pause or stop when my phone locks?
How can I troubleshoot playback issues on my device?
What is Battery Saver (Power Saving)? Turn it on or off on Android devices