How to Listen to Audiobooks on an Apple Watch
Want to know how to listen to audiobooks on an Apple Watch? Currently, you can listen to and download audiobooks via Apple's Audiobook app or the Audible Apple Watch app. Unfortunately for Libby users, there is still no Libby app for Apple Watch. Today, we'll walk you through how to use Apple's native Audiobook app on the Apple Watch!
Why You'll Love This Tip:
- Learn how to download audiobooks from your iPhone to your Apple Watch.
- Take your audiobooks with you wherever you go by listening on your Apple Watch.
- Perfect for workouts—leave your phone at home!
How to Get Audiobooks on the Apple Watch
System Requirements
This tip was performed on an iPhone 12 running iOS 17.4 or later and an Apple Watch Series 7 running watchOS 10.4. Learn how to update to the latest iOS and watchOS.
To listen to audiobooks on your Apple Watch, you can use the Apple Audiobooks app. Of course, there are other apps you can use, such as Libby or Audible. Before you can listen to an audiobook on your Apple Watch, you'll need to purchase a book from the Books app or Audible (or check one out from your local library through Libby) on your iPhone. For this example, we'll be using the Books app.
- On your iPhone, open the Books app.
- Tap the Audiobooks tab.
- Find an audiobook you'd like to listen to and tap it. (Apple offers many classic books as free audiobooks in the Books app!)
- Tap Get.
- Double-click the Side Button to confirm your purchase.
- Then, on your Apple Watch, tap Audiobooks.
- Tap Library.
- Tap the Audiobook you want to listen to. You will need to connect to a Bluetooth device in order to listen.
- You can pause and play the audiobook and skip forward and backward by fifteen seconds.
- Tap the three dots in the top right to increase playback speed and access the table of contents.
That's it! If you want to know how to use Libby on the Apple Watch, there is no Libby app on the Apple Watch, so you'll need to use the Now Playing app instead to control audiobooks when listening to them through Libby. Next, learn how to pair your Bluetooth audio device with your watch so you can start listening right away! Now you can listen to your book wherever you are, as long as you have your Apple Watch and your Bluetooth audio device.
Tamlin Day
Tamlin Day is a feature web writer for iPhone Life and a regular contributor to iPhone Life magazine. A prolific writer of tips, reviews, and in-depth guides, Tamlin has written hundreds of articles for iPhone Life. From iPhone settings to recommendations for the best iPhone-compatible gear to the latest Apple news, Tamlin's expertise covers a broad spectrum.
Before joining iPhone Life, Tamlin received his BFA in Media & Communications as well as a BA in Graphic Design from Maharishi International University (MIU), where he edited MIU's literary journal, Meta-fore. With a passion for teaching, Tamlin has instructed young adults, college students, and adult learners on topics ranging from spoken word poetry to taking the perfect group selfie. Tamlin's first computer, a Radioshack Color Computer III, was given to him by his father. At 13, Tamlin built his first PC from spare parts. He is proud to put his passion for teaching and tech into practice as a writer and educator at iPhone Life.
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