How to Convert Audible to MP3 on Mac/Windows
Audible has a large number of audiobooks on it, so it is one of the most popular audiobook platforms around the world. People can download it in advance to listen to those audiobooks offline. However, Audible does not allow users to play its audiobooks out of it. It means that if you transfer downloaded audiobooks from Audible to MP3 or other devices, those devices cannot play those audiobooks.
To solve this problem, we found some ways to make it possible to play audiobooks from Audible on an MP3 player. These ways will tell you how to convert Audible to MP3.
Method 1. Get MP3 Audiobook from Audible via Audio Recorders
Audio recorders make it possible to record the sounds playing on a computer. TunesKit Audio Capture and Audacity are the best two audio recorders. In this part, we will introduce how to convert Audible to MP3 with these two recorders respectively.
1. TunesKit Audio Capture
TunesKit Audio Capture is the best audio recorder which allows you to get high-quality audio. With this audio recorder, you can convert your online or offline audio to MP3, AAC, FLAC and other three common audio formats. It can be also an audio editor to trim and merge converted audio. When you record unnecessary audio clips, you can use the built-in audio editor to delete the unnecessary parts. You can even split audiobooks according to their chapters or merge several chapters into one. As an audio recorder, it performs excellently.
Key Features of TunesKit Audio Capture
Record Audible books on computer and convert to MP3 in simple clicks. Record high-quality audio on Win/Mac from any source without losing any audio quality.
600,000+ Downloads
How to record and convert Audible to MP3 via TunesKit Audio Capture
Step 1Download and install software
You can click the Try It Free button above to download the audio recorder on your computer, Mac or Windows;
Step 2Set audiobook format
On the bottom right of the main interface, there are two icons, Format and Converted; click the Format icon to set the output format of the converted audiobooks as MP3 in advance;
Step 3Start and end recording
On the main interface, there are many software icons; here you should click a browser icon to find the Audible website and then play the audiobook you want; Audio Capture will start downloading and recording the audio automatically;
Step 4Stop and edit converted audiobook audio
Click the Stop button to end the converting process whenever you want; after that, you can click the Edit icon on each recorded audio to trim it; if you want to merge several recorded audio into one, you can back to the recording page and then click the Merge all into one file frame on the bottom left of the page;
Step 5Save and search converted audiobooks
Click the Save button to save it to your computer; if you want to find them, you can click the Converted icon to enter the History list; all of the converted audiobooks are saved on it; click the Search icon, you can locate them on your computer folder.
2. Audacity
Audacity is a professional audio editor. It can help users do most of complex audio editing activities. It can also convert audio from one format to another for free. But the audio quality of the converted audio is often compressed by it. Because of its professionalism, it is difficult for beginners to use it. Therefore, this audio recorder is more suitable for professionals.
How to convert Audible to MP3 via Audacity
Step 1: Download and open Audacity and then click the Edit icon to enter the preference page;
Step 2: Click the Device > Host > Windows WASAPI options in order and then click the Recording option;
Step 3: Cancel choosing the Software playthrough option and then click the Record button;
Step 4: Click the Stop to end it whenever you want;
Method 2. Convert Audible to MP3 via Free Online Audio Converter
Some online converters also have the role of converting Audible to MP3. Generally, those online converters are free to use. But their stability is not good. You can use them when you need to save time. Before using online converters, you should know that the format of the audiobook downloaded from Audible is AAX.
1. FreeConvert
FreeConvert supports more than 450＋ audio conversions to MP3, WAV, AAC and more. The audio you upload can be from your device, Dropbox, Google Drive, or URL. Given the authority, you should download the audiobook and then use the tool to convert it to MP3
How to convert Audible to MP3 using FreeConvert
Step 1: Visit the website of FreeConvert;
Step 2: Click the Choose Files button to upload the audiobook from Audible to the tool;
Step 3: Choose the output format for your audio and then click the Convert button to start converting audio.
2. CloudConvert
CloudConvert has similar features to FreeConvert. But it has a more intuitive interface.
How to convert audiobook from Audible to MP3 using CloudConvert
Step 1: Visit the website of CloudConvert;
Step 2: Click the Select File button to find the audiobook you want from your computer;
Step 3: Choose the output format as MP3;
Step 4: Click the Convert button to convert it to MP3.
3. Convertio
Convertio is a versatile online file conversion tool that operates entirely within your web browser, requiring no software installation. It supports over 300 different file formats, allowing you to easily convert audible books to MP3, and archives using a simple drag-and-drop interface. You can follow the steps to convert Audible book to MP3 by using Convertio.
Step 1. Navigate to the Convertio website.
Step 2. Drag and drop the audiobook to Convertio. Besides, you can click on the Choose Files button for the next step.
Step 3. Then, select the MP3 format and click on the Convert button.
Method 3. Convert Audible to MP3 via Audio Converter
1. AAX Audio Converter
AAX Audio Converter is a free and open-source Windows application designed to convert Audible's proprietary .aax files into standard .mp3 or .m4a/.m4b formats. It delegates all audio processing, including DRM handling, to FFmpeg by applying the user's own activation code rather than cracking the protection. The software can split audiobooks by chapter, preserves all metadata, and utilizes multiple processor cores for high-performance conversion. Here is how to use AAX Audio Converter to convert audible to MP3.
Step 1. Install AAX Audio Converter on your computer and launch it. When the program is launched, clcik on the Add button to add Audible files.
Step 2. Select the output format. You can select MP3 or M4A.
Step 3. AAX Audio Converter allows users to convert Audible files to multiple files by chapter, just select the mode.
Step 4. Click on the Save to... button to set the location where you are going to save the converted MP3 files.
Step 5. Click on the Convert button to convert Aubile files to MP3.
2. Libation Audible Converter
Libation is a free, open-source application for Windows, macOS, and Linux designed to manage and liberate your Audible library. It connects to your Audible account to download your purchased audiobooks, remove DRM protection, and convert Audible files into standard MP3 or M4B formats for use on any device. Here is the how-to:
Step 1. Download and install Libation on your compute and launch it.
Step 2. Go to Settings and select Account. Enter your Email address and choose the right Audible region. Click on the Save button.
Step 3. Select Settings. Click on the Audio File Settings and select the option Download my books as .MP3 files.
Step 4. Click on the red light near the audiobook, and Libation will start to download Audible books and convert to MP3 files.
FAQs About How to Convert Audible to MP3
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1. Why can't I just play my Audible books on any device?
Audible uses a proprietary file format called .aax (or the older .aa). These files are protected by DRM (Digital Rights Management), a form of copy protection. This DRM ties the audiobook to your Audible account and limits playback to authorized devices and apps (like the official Audible app, some Kindle devices, or iTunes).
Converting to MP3 removes this DRM, allowing you to play your purchased audiobooks on virtually any device that supports MP3, such as a generic MP3 player, a car stereo via USB, or other software players. -
2. What are the main benefits of converting to MP3?
Universal Compatibility: Play your audiobooks on any device, from old iPods to car stereos and non-supported smart speakers.
Personal Backup: Create a permanent, DRM-free backup of your purchases. If you ever lose access to your Audible account, you'll still have your books.
Freedom of Player: Use any media player you prefer, many of which have features the Audible app lacks.
Easier Management: A single, large MP3 file (or chapter-based files) can be easier to manage and transfer than dealing with the Audible ecosystem. -
3. Will I lose audio quality?
Technically, yes, because you are converting from one compressed format (AAX) to another (MP3). This is called "transcoding." But if you use TunesKit Audio Capture to capture and record the audiobooks directly, you will not lose audio quality.
Conclusion
MP3 files are compatible with almost all devices. If you want to transfer those MP3 audiobooks to your MP3 player, you just need to connect your MP3 player to your computer and then drag and drop the audiobook files to the MP3 player folder on your computer.
TunesKit Audio Capture is the most practical Audible-to-MP3 converter which not only allows you to convert audio, but also edit audio. All of the methods above have their own strengths, which one you choose is completely up to you. Hope you can find the best solution among them to convert Audible to MP3.
