Why Is Audible Downloading So SLOW? (Solved)

By / Audible, Streaming / Last Updated: October 5, 2023

Audible’s vast library of top-quality audio content will have even the most causal audiobook listener hooked, and what’s more, Audible allows users to take their content wherever they go via downloading books for offline playback.

However, if you are struggling to download an audiobook, we take explore why exactly Audible is downloading too slowly:

1. The Audible App needs an Update

Before you begin restarting your router or complaining to your internet provider about slow download speeds, you must check that your Audible app is up-to-date.

Audible states on its official website that an outdated version of its app can cause problems for users trying to download the titles they want for offline playback.

If you haven’t updated the Audible app recently, then it could be that you can solve the cause of your problem with a few simple taps.

Here’s How to Update Audible for iOS

If you’re using an iPad or iPhone for Audible downloads, then follow these steps to ensure your app is updated to the latest version:

  1. Open up the ‘App Store’ from your iOS device.
  2. Next, find and tap the profile icon.
  3. Search through the list of apps and find Audible.
  4. Select ‘Update’ next to Audible and then tap to continue.

Here’s How to Update Audible for Android

If you’re an Android user with a download issue on Audible, take these steps to ensure you’ve updated your Audible app:

  1. Open the Google Play Store from your device.
  2. From the Menu, tap ‘My Apps’
  3. Now select ‘Audible for Android’ and tap ‘Update’
  4. Tap ‘Continue’ to begin the update.

Here’s How to Update Audible for Windows 10

If you’ve been struggling with Audible downloads on your desktop computer, then try updating the Audible app using these steps:

  1. Open the ‘Windows Store’ app from your desktop computer.
  2. Find the user icon and give it a click.
  3. Next, select ‘Downloads and Updates’ followed by ‘Check for Updates’
  4. Click the icon for downloading the update, which will be found next to the Audible app.

Remember, if you cannot see the Audible app in the ‘Check for Updates’ screen, this signifies that you are already running the most up-to-date version of Audible on your computer.

2. Your Audible Quality Settings Need to be Changed

The Audible app allows users to select a quality setting that suits them and the internet connection they are using to download titles.

For example, you shouldn’t have trouble downloading your high-quality audiobook if you’re connected to high-speed internet. However, remember that quality comes at a cost – the cost being that the file will be larger.

A larger file will take far longer to download than a smaller file. Therefore, reducing the quality of your download will reduce the size of your download and, you guessed it, will reduce the time it takes you to complete the download.

Audible has two distinct download quality settings to choose from:

  • Standard Quality
  • High Quality

Thankfully, changing the download quality on the Audible app is a straightforward process.

Here’s How to Change Audible’s Download Quality on iOS:

  1. Launch the Audible app.
  2. Tap on ‘Profile’
  3. Tap the gear icon.
  4. Select ‘Data & Storage’ followed by ‘Download by Quality’
  5. Select a ‘Standard Quality’ to improve download speed.

Here’s How to Change Audible’s Download Quality on Android:

  1. Open the Audible app from your Android device.
  2. Tap on ‘Profile’.
  3. Tap the gear icon.
  4. Select ‘Download’.
  5. Now select ‘Download Quality’ and change the setting accordingly.

Here’s How to Change Audible’s Download Quality on Windows 10:

  1. Open up the Audible app on your desktop computer.
  2. Click the menu icon and select ‘Settings’.
  3. From here select ‘Downloads’ followed by ‘Download Format’.
  4. Now choose ‘Standard Quality’ to increase your download speed.

3. Try Breaking Up the Download into Manageable Parts

Audible allows its users to download their chosen books in parts. Splitting the download into smaller segments means that each part will take less time to download than the whole book at once.

Downloading the book in parts means you can begin your listening experience sooner and even start your audiobook while the rest of it downloads.

Remember, smaller files take far less time to download than larger ones, which is why downloading your Audible audiobook in parts works so well.

Here’s How to Download your Audible Audiobook in Parts on your iOS Device:

  1. Begin by opening the Audible app on your iOS device.
  2. Navigate to your ‘Profile’.
  3. Next, tap on the small gear icon on your screen’s top right-hand side.
  4. Now select ‘Data & Storage, followed by ‘Download By Parts’.
  5. Ensure ‘Download By Parts’ is enabled.

Here’s How to Download your Audible Audiobook in Parts on your Android Device:

  1. Launch the Audible app on your Android device.
  2. Navigate to your profile with a tap.
  3. Now tap the gear icon.
  4. Find ‘Download’ and then ‘Download By Parts’.
  5. Make sure that ‘Download By Parts’ is enabled.

Here’s How to Download your Audible Audiobook in Parts on Windows 10:

  1. Launch the Audible app on your desktop computer.
  2. Click the Menu.
  3. Access ‘Settings’ followed by ‘Downloads’.
  4. Then select ‘Download By Parts’.

4. Try Restarting the App & also your Device

One of the simplest solutions to minor glitches and issues with the Audible app is restarting the app itself.

Close the app on your device, wait a moment or two and open it up again. You can always force close the app on your device to ensure there aren’t any background processes running before opening it up again.

Other users have reported that if they log in and then out again, many minor problems with their Audible app are fixed. If all this fails it’s time to restart your device.

It would be best if you powered it off, and then wait a few minutes before turning it back on again. Once it has fully restarted try opening the Audible app and see if the download speed has been affected.

5. Ensure your Device is Connected to the Internet

For Audible to swiftly download your chosen titles, your device must have a strong and stable internet connection.

If you find that it is taking an extremely long time to download an audiobook, then it is worth checking the status of your phone or computer’s internet connection.

It might be that you began a download on Audible and then lost your WiFi connection at some point, resulting in Audible being stuck on the downloading screen.

Your internet download speed will also directly impact how quickly Audible can download an audiobook. If it is too slow, try connecting to a different network or talk to your network provider.

6. Reinstall a Fresh Copy of Audible

If your download speed is very slow, uninstalling and reinstalling the Audible app on your device may be worth uninstalling.

Sometimes apps, like Audible, can have software issues that affect their ability to perform smoothly. This can happen after an update or because you had an intermittent internet connection when you first downloaded Audible.

To uninstall and reinstall Audible from your device follow the instructions below:

Uninstall and Reinstall Audible App on iOS:

  1. Start by double tapping your home button to open your running apps.
  2. Swipe up on Audible to close the app.
  3. Next, hold down the Audible icon on your iOS device’s screen.
  4. Select ‘Remove app’ from the list of available options or tap the ‘x’.
  5. Once you have done this, search ‘Audible’ in the App Store and tap ‘Download’.

Uninstall and Reinstall Audible App on Android:

  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. Navigate to your Profile by tapping the icon in the top right of your screen.
  3. Tap on ‘Manage Devices’ then ‘Manage’.
  4. Type ‘Audible’ into the search bar.
  5. Now tap ‘Uninstall’.
  6. Once completed, go to the Google Play Store and redownload Audible to your Android device.

Uninstall and Reinstall Audible on Windows:

  1. Open up the Windows TaskBar.
  2. Navigate to ‘Settings’ then ‘Apps’.
  3. Next click ‘Apps & Features’.
  4. Search ‘Audible’, highlight the icon and click ‘More’ or the three dots.
  5. Choose ‘Uninstall’.
  6. Once complete, go to the Microsoft Store and redownload Audible to your Windows computer.

Uninstall and Reinstall Audible on Mac

  1. Begin by ensuring Audible is closed on your Mac.
  2. Open ‘Finder’, located at the top of your screen.
  3. Navigate to ‘Applications’.
  4. Go through the list of available applications until you find Audible.
  5. Highlight the Audible icon and drag it to Trash.
  6. To ensure Audible is uninstalled, make sure to empty the Trash.
  7. Next, reinstall Audible by visiting the Audible website.

It’s worth noting that uninstalling Audible from your device will not lose any of your books. They will still be available when you log back in.

Sources

I can’t download an audiobook on my Audible for iOS app.

Audible Book Won’t Download? Fixed!

Why Won’t My Audible Book Download? Complete Fix Guide

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