How to Play M4B on Android: Best Apps & Methods for Audiobooks

Part 1. Can Android Play M4B Files?

The simple answer is yes, Android can play M4B files, but there's a big catch.

M4B is better than MP3 for audiobooks. It saves chapters and remembers your listening spot. But M4B files come in two main types. Knowing the difference is key to playing them on your Android device.

Read More :  M4B VS MP3: Which One to Choose?

Type 1: DRM-Protected M4B (Locked Files)

These files usually come from stores like iTunes. They have a digital lock called DRM (Digital Rights Management). This lock stops the file from playing on any device or app not authorized by Apple.

If you transfer a DRM-protected M4B to your Android phone, your music player or even a dedicated audiobook app will likely refuse to open it.

Type 2: DRM-Free M4B (Open Files)

These files are unprotected. They may come from public domain sites, independent sellers, or ones you made yourself. But your phone's standard music app usually can't read chapters or remember your spot. You often need a specialized M4B player app to open them.

To wrap up, you can't just drop any M4B file onto Android and expect it to work perfectly. You need the right app for unprotected files, and a conversion tool for protected ones.

Part 2. How to Play M4B on Android (For DRM-Free Files)

DRM-free M4B files are easy to handle. You just need the right tool. There are two simple ways to play them on your Android device. You can use a dedicated M4B player app or rename the file to make it compatible with your regular player. Let's look at both methods.

2.1 Use the Best M4B Player for Android

The simplest way to play an M4B file that is not DRM-protected is to use an Android app specifically designed for audiobooks that includes M4B support. Unlike standard music players, these apps are built with audiobook features like bookmarking, variable speed control, and sleep timers.

Here are some of the most popular and highly-rated M4B-compatible Android audiobook players:

Using these apps is simple. Let's take Smart AudioBook Player for Android as an example.

1. Move your DRM-free M4B files from your computer to a folder on your Android device.
2. Open Google Play Store and download Smart AudioBook Player.
3. Go to the Library screen.
4. Tap the three-dot icon in the top right to open Settings.
5. Select Root folder.
6. Find and choose the folder with your M4B audiobooks.
7. Tap the circular arrow icon in the top right to refresh your library.
8. Your M4B files will appear in the Library.
9. Tap a file to start playing it.
10. The app will save your listening position automatically.
11. To jump to a chapter, long-press the Next file button to open the chapter list.

2.2 Play M4B via File Renaming

If you do not want to download a new app, or if you just want to quickly test a file, you can try this simple trick. This works because the M4B format is technically very similar to the standard audio format, M4A. Android devices often support M4A better than M4B.

The Trick and Its Risk

• The Trick: Change the file extension from .m4b to .m4a. This makes your phone think it's playing a normal M4A audio file.
• The Risk: Your phone will treat the audiobook like a regular song. It won't remember where you stopped or save chapter data. You could lose your place in the book.

How to Rename M4B Files to M4A on Android:

1. Open your File Manager app.
2. Find the folder with your M4B audiobook.
3. Tap and hold the file name, then select Rename.
4. Change .m4b to .m4a.
5. Save the new name.
6. Open the file with your default music or media player. It should start playing right away.

Want to know more about the difference between M4B and M4A? Check out this detailed comparison.

M4A vs M4B vs M4P vs M4R – A Comprehensive Comparison

This guide provides you a comprehensive comparison among M4A, M4B, M4P and M4R audio formats, as well as a quick solution to convert those DRM-protected Apple audios to MP3.

Part 3. How to Listen to M4B on Android (For DRM-Protected Files)

If your M4B files come from iTunes or have DRM protection, the methods above won't work. Don't worry. The two solutions below will help you fix that.

3.1 Convert M4B to MP3

MP3 works everywhere. It's the most compatible format for Android and almost any device. If your M4B file has DRM protection, converting it to MP3 is the easiest way to play it freely. Once converted, you can listen to your audiobook on any Android player without limits.

But conversion isn't that easy. Most online M4B to MP3 converters and free tools like VLC can't handle DRM-protected files. In most cases, you need a special tool to remove the DRM lock. Want to explore your options? Check out this full guide.

Best 5 Ways to Convert M4B to MP3 for Free

Want to convert M4B to MP3? This guide shares 5 free ways to change M4B files into MP3 while keeping chapters and original audio quality.

3.2 Use ViWizard Audio Capture

Still want to keep the M4B format and chapter markers but lose the DRM lock? Try ViWizard Audio Capture.

ViWizard Audio Capture is a desktop tool that records any sound from your computer. Whether it is from iTunes, Audible, or streaming sites, ViWizard can capture them all. It records every detail in high quality and keeps the metadata, including artwork, author, narrator, chapters, and title.

After recording, you can choose from 16 output formats, such as M4B, FLAC, MP3, WAV, AAC, AIFF, and more. This gives you full control and perfect compatibility with your Android device.

Audio Capture

A multifunctional audio recording tool that captures any sound playing on your computer, including streaming music, live radio, game sounds, background music, and online meetings, with built-in auto-splitting and advanced editing features to save recordings in MP3, WAV, and other formats while maintaining the highest quality and embedding track details.

Free Trial

Free Trial

How to Remove DRM Locks from M4B Files Using ViWizard:

Step 1 Set Up the Recording

Download and install ViWizard Audio Capture on your Windows or Mac. Open the program. Click Select/Add an App to choose the program you use to play your M4B file. If it is not listed, click the + button to add it.

Step 2 Choose the M4B Format

Click the Format button at the bottom left of the ViWizard window. Choose M4B or any other format you prefer. You can adjust sound quality settings such as sample rate and bit rate. For most users, the default settings work well.

Step 3 Start Playing and Recording

Go back to the main screen. Click Start to begin recording. Play the protected M4B audiobook on your computer. When it finishes, click Stop in ViWizard.

Step 4 Edit, Save, and Transfer

Click the Edit icon next to your recording to trim silent parts. When you are satisfied, click Save to store the new DRM-free M4B file. Finally, connect your Android device to your computer. Transfer the new M4B file to your phone's Audiobooks folder.

For PC Users:

1. Connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable.
2. Locate the folder where ViWizard Audio Converter saved the converted M4B files.
3. Copy the M4B files and paste them into the desired location on your Android device, such as the "Music" or "Audiobook" folder.
4. Your M4B audiobooks are now ready for playback on your Android device. You can choose one of the M4B players for Android we introduced in section 2.1.

For Mac Users:

Mac users may need an additional step to transfer the converted audiobooks to Android. Follow these steps:

1. Download and install an Android transfer app on your Mac, such as Android File Transfer.
2. Connect your Android device to your Mac using a USB cable.
3. Open the Android transfer app and navigate to the folder where ViWizard Audio Converter saved the converted M4B files.
4. Copy the M4B files from your Mac to the desired location on your Android device.
5. After transferring, you can play the M4B files with any player that supports the format, like Smart AudioBook Player.

Conclusion

Playing M4B files on Android is easier than you think. DRM-free files work with the right player or a simple file rename. DRM-protected files need conversion or recording tools like ViWizard Audio Capture. With these methods, you can enjoy your audiobooks with chapters and bookmarks intact. Pick the solution that fits your files and start listening anywhere on your Android device.