How Do You Play an Audiobook? | Listen in 5 Apps

You play an audiobook by opening it in its app and tapping the title or cover to start playback.

Whether you bought it from Apple or Google, the process takes about five seconds once you know where to look. The controls you get — pause, skip, chapter navigation, sleep timer, speed — depend on which app and device you’re using. Here’s the exact path for every major platform, plus the voice commands that let you skip the tapping entirely.

Playing an Audiobook on iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Apple handles audiobook playback inside the Books app on all its devices, and the steps are nearly identical everywhere.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Books, find the audiobook in your library, and tap the cover. Playback starts immediately. While it’s playing, use the rounded arrows next to the Pause button to skip forward or back by a set interval. Your headphones or car controls will also work with Apple Books playback.

On a Mac, the process is the same but with a double-click. Open Books, select Audiobooks in the sidebar, then double-click the title you want. The player appears at the top or bottom of the window depending on your macOS version, and offers chapter selection, a sleep timer, and playback speed from 0.75x to 2x.

Playing an Audiobook on Android or in a Browser

Google uses the Play Books app for audiobook playback on Android, and the library is the same one you can reach from any computer browser.

On an Android phone or tablet, open Google Play Books, tap Library, then tap Audiobooks. Tap the title you want and playback starts. On a computer, go to your Google Play Books library in a browser, use the Format filter to select Audiobooks, then click the title.

One catch: you must open the audiobook from the Audiobooks section, not from your regular book list. Opening a standard book page won’t start audiobook playback — it just shows the ebook.

Using Voice Commands on Google Smart Speakers

Google smart speakers and displays play audiobooks from your Play Books library with hands-free voice controls, but only for titles you already own.

Once the audiobook is in your library, say “Read my book” to resume your latest title, or “Read [audiobook title]” to start a specific one. During playback, “Pause,” “Resume,” “Skip [amount of time],” and speed commands like “Play at 2x speed” or “Play slower” all work. Apple’s iPhone audiobook listening guide and Google Play Books Android help page document these controls in detail.

Playback Speed and Formats Worth Knowing

Speed control varies by platform, so check what your app offers before you go looking for a setting that isn’t there. Apple’s Mac Books app explicitly lists 0.75x to 2x; Google smart speakers accept voice commands for “Play at 2x speed,” “Play slower,” “Play twice as fast,” and “Play at half the speed.”

The steps above cover store-purchased titles in their native apps. If you’re trying to play a standalone audiobook file instead — say, an MP3 you downloaded elsewhere — compatibility depends entirely on the app and the file format. Neither Apple’s nor Google’s help pages cover generic file import; they document in-app library playback only.

If you’re shopping for a dedicated player for a child, Apple and Google both require a phone or tablet. A standalone device can be easier for small hands and has fewer distractions — our tested roundup of audiobook players for kids covers the options that hold up to real use.