While downloading Audible audiobooks may seem straightforward, the process on macOS can sometimes feel less intuitive than on iOS or Windows. macOS is more restrictive with third-party tools, and the official Audible app may not be available on all MacBooks. However, you still have ways to download Audible books to your Mac, whether for offline listening or for transferring to Apple Books, iTunes, or other devices.
This guide shows you four reliable ways to download Audible books on Mac with full chapters and complete metadata. Each method comes with a detailed step-by-step tutorial, so you'll never feel lost. Let's get started.
Part 1. Can You Download Audiobooks from Audible on Mac?
Yes, you absolutely can download audiobooks from Audible onto your Mac.
Unlike the dedicated AudibleSync app for Windows, Audible does not offer a standalone desktop application for current macOS versions to manage downloads. This is an important point to understand.
For Mac users, the primary method is to download files directly from the Audible website and then play and manage them using Apple Books or iTunes. Once downloaded, Apple Books acts as the authorized player for your Audible content.
However, keep in mind that you can only download purchased Audible titles in protected formats like .aax on Mac. This means you cannot play the .aax files in standard media players like VLC, nor can you transfer them freely to other devices for playback.
If you want to download Audible books and play them on more devices, you'll need a converter like ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter. It removes DRM protection and converts the files to MP3 and more open-file formats, making it ideal for users who want to unlock their Audible audiobooks for playback on more devices and media players.
A unique and innovative Audible audiobook converter to convert any protected Audible audio book to universal formats, including lossless audio, MP3, FLAC, M4A, M4B, AIFF, WAV in an easiest yet fastest way ever and with up to 100× super faster speed.
Part 2. Download Audible Books from the Website on Mac
The main way for Mac users to buy and download Audible books is through the Audible website. The downloaded file works with Apple Books, which you can use for offline playback, whici is explained in Part 3.
Steps to Purchase and Download an Audiobook:
Open your web browser on your Mac.
Go to the Audible website and sign in with your Amazon or Audible account.
Use the search bar or browse categories to find the audiobook you want.
Click Add to Cart or Buy with 1 credit, and complete the payment process.
Once purchased, go to Library in the top navigation of the Audible site.
Find your purchased audiobook and click the Download button next to it.
The file will save as a .aax file in your Mac's default Downloads folder.
While the official web download method is the fastest, it only works for Audible books you've purchased with cash or credits. This means titles from Audible Plus Catalog or Free Listens won't have a download button. Also, if your purchased titles don't show the download button, the web method won't work.
To handle these cases, you'll need ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter. For a full guide, see Part 5.
Part 3. Download Audible Books to Apple Books/iTunes on Mac
The easiest and most common way to manage and listen to downloaded Audible books offline on a Mac is using the pre-installed Apple Books app. Apple replaced iTunes with Books for audiobooks starting with macOS Catalina (10.15) and later. On older macOS versions like Mojave (10.14) or earlier, Audible audiobooks are still managed in iTunes.
Steps to Download and Play Audible Books on Apple Books/iTunes:
Step 1 Download the .aax File from Audible Website
First, save the actual audiobook file (.aax) to your Mac using your web browser, as explained in Part 2.
Step 2 Import into Apple Books or iTunes
Method A: Double-Click (Easiest)
- Go to your Downloads folder in Finder.
- Double-click the .aax file.
- Apple Books or iTunes will open automatically and import the file.
Method B: Drag and Drop
- Open Apple Books or iTunes.
- Drag the .aax file from your Downloads folder and drop it anywhere into the app's main window.
Method C: Use the File Menu
- Open Apple Books or iTunes from Applications or the Dock.
- Click File > Add to Library… (or press Command + O).
- In the Finder window, navigate to your Downloads folder and select the .aax file.
- Click Add to import it into the Audiobooks section of your library.
Step 3 Authorize Your Computer
The first time you import an Audible file, a dialog box will prompt you to authorize your Mac for your Audible account:
- Click Yes.
- Enter your Audible/Amazon email and password.
Once authorized, you'll find your audiobook under the Audiobooks tab in Apple Books. Even if you remove the downloaded file from your Mac or from your Audible library online, the audiobook will remain in Apple Books or iTunes, ready for offline playback.
Part 4. Download Audible Books on Mac Using OpenAudible
While the official methods in Parts 2 and 3 get your audiobooks into Apple Books, the files remain in the proprietary, copy-protected .aax format. If you want a universal backup or want to listen on more devices like a standard MP3 player or an older phone, you'll need a third-party library manager.
OpenAudible is a popular cross-platform desktop app for managing, downloading, and converting your entire Audible library on Mac. Unlike official methods, OpenAudible converts Audible books to MP3 or M4B with chapter markers. It works on macOS, Windows, and Linux, but requires a one-year or lifetime paid license.
Steps to Use OpenAudible on Mac:
Go to the official OpenAudible website.
Download the macOS version and install the application.
Launch OpenAudible.
In the top menu, click Controls > Connect to Audible.
A browser window will open within the app. Sign in to your Audible account.
Once logged in, OpenAudible will scan your account and display a list of all your purchased audiobooks. It may ask if you want to perform a Full Audible Library Sync. If prompted, click Yes.
If not prompted, select one or more titles, go to the Action menu, and select Download.
After downloading, right-click a book and choose Convert to MP3 or Convert to M4B.
When finished, select the book and go to Action > Reveal to open the folder storing your final audio files.
You now have a version of your audiobook that can be played on almost any media player or transferred to non-smart devices.
Part 5. Download All Audible Books in DRM-Free Formats on Mac
The official download methods only give you purchased Audible books, and they come in protected AAX format. This formats keep your audiobooks locked inside the Audible app or an authorized Apple Books/iTunes account. Even if you use tools like OpenAudible, you can still download only the titles you paid for.
If you want all types of Audible audiobooks, including Audible Plus Catalog titles and free audiobooks, you'll need ViWizard Audible Converter.
ViWizard works on macOS and Windows, and it lets you download any Audible title as long as it is added to your library and playable, in DRM-free formats such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B. You get full chapter markers, original audio quality, and complete metadata.
| Feature | Audible Website + Apple Books | OpenAudible | ViWizard Audible Converter |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRM Removal | No | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Titles | Purchased titles | Purchased titles | Purchased titles, Plus titles, free titles |
| Output Format(s) | .aax (within Apple Books ecosystem) | MP3, M4B (DRM-free) | MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4B, AIFF, M4B |
| Chapter Retention | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Download Process | Manual download via browser | Manual bulk library sync/download | Automatic bulk download & conversion |
| Playback Flexibility | Low. Only playable in Apple Books/iTunes on authorized Mac. | High. Playable on any device. | High. Playable on any device. |
| Cost | Free (Included with macOS) | Paid License | Paid License (Free Trial / Monthly / Yearly / Lifetime) |
How to Download Audible Books to Mac Using ViWizard
Step 1Get Your Audible Library in ViWizard
Install ViWizard Audible Converter on your Mac and open it. The Audible web player will appear inside ViWizard. Click the Sign In button and log in with your Audible account so the program can access all the books in your library.
Step 2Set Your Conversion Preferences
Open the menu and choose Preferences, then go to the Conversion tab. Select the output format you want, such as MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, M4B, or AIFF. You can also adjust the audio quality and choose where the converted files will be saved. When you finish, click OK.
Step 3Add the Audible Books You Want to Convert
Open your library in the Audible web player. Click the plus icon in the lower right corner. Select the books you want and click Add to List. You can choose one book or several at the same time. If you want to split an audiobook, move your mouse next to the title and you will see a chapter split icon. Click it and you can split the book by chapter or by time. The whole process is automatic.
Step 4Convert the Books and Play Them Anywhere
Click Convert to start the process. When it finishes, click the folder icon to find your converted files. You can play them with the media apps on your Mac, such as the Books app, or with any audiobook player you prefer. You can also transfer the files to any device or player for listening.
Part 6. Transfer Downloaded Audible Books to Your Mobile Devices
Once you download or convert your Audible books on your Mac, the next step is getting them onto your phone or tablet. The steps you follow will depend on the method you used to download the books. Below is an easy guide for each situation.
Method 1: Syncing Official (.aax) Files
If you used the official download method in Part 2 or 3, your books now sit in the Apple Books app as .aax files. These files sync through Finder. If you use a non-Apple device, you must convert the files to MP3 or another open format first with OpenAudible or ViWizard.
How to sync with Finder:
Plug your iPhone, iPad, or iPod into your Mac with a USB or USB-C cable.
Open Finder.
In the sidebar, select your device under Locations.
At the top, choose the Audiobooks tab.
Check Sync audiobooks onto [Your Device Name].
Pick All audiobooks or choose the ones you want.
Click Apply.
Method 2: Transferring Converted Audible Files
If you used a tool like OpenAudible or ViWizard (Part 4/5) and now have DRM-free files, like MP3 or M4B files, you can transfer them in a few different ways.
Option 1: Using Finder (Apple Devices)
Drag your converted MP3 or M4B files into the Audiobooks section of Apple Books on your Mac.
Right-click the file, choose Get Info, and set Media Kind to Audiobook.
Then sync your device using the same steps from Method 1.
Option 2: Using a Cloud Service (Android Devices)
If you're using an Android phone, you can play audiobooks through a third-party app like Smart Audiobook Player. Cloud transfer is the easiest way.
Install an audiobook player app on your phone.
Upload your converted files to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Open the cloud app on your phone and find the file.
Choose Open in… or Share, then import the file into your audiobook player.
Part 7. Audible Download FAQs for Mac
Does Audible have a Mac app?
Yes, but with one key limitation. Audible does not offer a true desktop app made for macOS. However, if your Mac has an Apple M1 chip or newer and runs macOS 11 Big Sur or later, you can install the Audible: Audiobooks & Podcasts app from the Mac App Store. This is the same app made for iPhone and iPad.
If you use an older Intel-based Mac, you can't install this app. In that case, you must download your Audible books from the website and listen through the Apple Books app.
How to Download Audible Books to iTunes on Mac?
- Download the audiobook from the Audible website.
- This saves the protected .aax file to your Downloads folder.
- Double-click the .aax file. It should open iTunes and start the import.
- If it doesn't open automatically, drag the .aax file into the iTunes window.
- The first time you do this, iTunes will ask you to authorize your Mac with your Audible account.
- Sign in to complete the authorization.
- Once done, the book will appear in the Audiobooks section of your library and is ready for offline listening..
Can I Use AudibleSync on Mac?
No. AudibleSync is not available for macOS. It only works on Windows, so Mac users cannot install or use it.
Final Thoughts
Now you've known how to download purchased Audible books to Mac. If you want to get the DRM-free Audible books on your Mac, try using ViWizard Audible Audiobook Converter or OpenAudible. No matter which media player you want to use for listening, they are 100% ready to be played. Also, you can share your Audible books to your family and friends at your will.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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