Bought an audiobook on impulse at 11 PM and realized by chapter two it’s absolutely not what you wanted? Yeah, that happens. The good news: Audible lets you return books within a specific window, and the process is way simpler than most people think. This guide walks you through exactly how to return a book on Audible, whether you’re on mobile, desktop, or just frustrated with your listening choice.
Look, we’ve all been there. You grab an audiobook based on a recommendation, the narrator’s voice doesn’t vibe with you, or the plot takes a hard left turn into territory you’re not interested in exploring. The beauty of Audible’s return policy is that it exists precisely for these moments. Unlike buying a physical book at a bookstore, you actually have a legitimate way out—and we’re going to show you exactly how to use it.
Understanding Audible’s Return Policy
Before you dive into the mechanics of how to return a book on Audible, let’s talk about the actual rules. Audible allows you to return audiobooks within 30 days of purchase. That’s your window. After 30 days, the return option disappears, and you’re stuck with the book (unless something’s genuinely broken with the file, which is rare).
Here’s the real talk: Audible doesn’t ask why you’re returning it. They don’t care if you hate the narrator, if you realized the genre isn’t for you, or if you accidentally bought it twice. You get one return per title, which means you can’t return the same book multiple times. But you can return a different audiobook and then purchase that same title again later if you want.
The return process refunds your credit to your Audible account—not to your original payment method. So if you bought the book with a credit, you get the credit back. If you used your subscription monthly credit, it goes back into your account. This is actually useful because it means you can immediately rebuy something else or hold onto the credit for later.
Pro Tip: If you’re an Audible Plus member (the subscription tier with access to the Plus Catalog), returns work differently. Books from the Plus Catalog can be “returned” by simply removing them from your library, and you can re-add them anytime. This is way more forgiving than the standard return policy.
Think of the 30-day window like a trial period. Audible’s betting that most people will keep books they actually like, so they’re comfortable giving you a month to decide. It’s a reasonable middle ground between “no returns” and “unlimited returns forever.”
How to Return a Book on Audible (Desktop)
Let’s start with the desktop version because it’s the most straightforward way to return a book on Audible. If you’re on your computer, this is your fastest route.
- Log into your Audible account. Go to audible.com and sign in with your Amazon credentials (Audible is owned by Amazon, so your login is the same).
- Navigate to your library. Click on “Library” in the top menu bar. This shows all the audiobooks you own.
- Find the book you want to return. Scroll through your library or use the search function to locate the specific audiobook. You can sort by “Recently Added” or “Title” to make this faster.
- Hover over the book cover. When you move your mouse over the audiobook cover, a menu icon (three dots) appears in the top-right corner of the cover image.
- Click the three-dot menu. This opens a dropdown menu with several options. Look for “Return Title” in this menu.
- Click “Return Title.” A confirmation dialog will pop up asking if you’re sure you want to return the book. Read it carefully—it will tell you that the credit will be refunded to your account.
- Confirm the return. Click the confirmation button (usually labeled “Return” or “Yes, Return This Title”). The book is now returned, and your credit is restored.
That’s it. The entire process takes about 30 seconds once you’re logged in. The book disappears from your library, and the credit shows up in your account almost immediately. You’ll also get a confirmation email from Audible documenting the return.
One thing to note: after you return a book, you can’t download it again unless you repurchase it. If you had it downloaded to a device and were listening to it, the audiobook will still be on that device, but you won’t be able to sync or update it. It’s basically a dead file at that point.
How to Return a Book on Audible (Mobile App)
The Audible mobile app (iOS and Android) works a bit differently than the desktop version, and it’s actually slightly less obvious where the return option is. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown for how to return a book on Audible using your phone or tablet.
- Open the Audible app. Launch the app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device and make sure you’re logged in.
- Go to your library. Tap the “Library” icon at the bottom of the screen (it usually looks like a bookshelf or books icon).
- Find your audiobook. Scroll to locate the book you want to return. You can also search for it using the search function.
- Long-press the book cover. This is the key step that trips people up. Don’t just tap it—hold your finger on the audiobook cover for a second or two. This brings up a context menu with options.
- Look for “Return Title” in the menu. Depending on your device and app version, this might also say “Return” or “Remove from Library and Return.” Tap it.
- Confirm the return. A dialog box will ask you to confirm. Tap “Yes” or “Confirm” to complete the return.
The mobile app return process is nearly identical to desktop, but that long-press gesture is crucial. If you just tap the book once, you’ll open it for listening—not what we want. The long-press is what reveals the hidden menu with the return option.
Safety Note: Make sure you’re returning the right book before confirming. Once the return is processed, you can’t undo it immediately. You’d have to contact Audible support to reverse it, which takes time.
Returning Through the Web Browser on Mobile
If the mobile app isn’t working for you, or if you just prefer using the web version, you can absolutely return a book on Audible through your phone’s web browser. This is actually sometimes easier than the app.
- Open a web browser on your phone. Use Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or whatever browser you prefer.
- Go to audible.com and log in. Navigate to the Audible website and sign in with your Amazon account.
- Tap the menu icon (hamburger menu). In the top-left corner, you’ll see three horizontal lines. Tap this to open the navigation menu.
- Select “Library.” This takes you to your audiobook library.
- Find the book you want to return. Scroll through or search for it.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon on the book cover. This works the same way as desktop, but on mobile it’s a bit smaller, so tap carefully.
- Tap “Return Title.” Confirm when prompted.
The web browser method on mobile is honestly pretty solid. It gives you the same interface as desktop but on a smaller screen. Some people find it easier than the app because the menu options are more visible.
What Happens After You Return a Book
Once you’ve successfully returned a book on Audible, several things happen in sequence:
Immediate effects:
- The audiobook disappears from your library instantly (or within seconds).
- Your credit is refunded to your Audible account.
- You receive a confirmation email from Audible with details of the return.
Within 24 hours:
- Any downloaded copy of the book on your devices becomes inaccessible (the app may show an error if you try to play it).
- The refunded credit appears in your account balance and is ready to use immediately.
Longer-term:
- You can repurchase the same book anytime after the return is processed.
- The return is recorded in your Audible account history (though it’s not prominently displayed).
- If you abuse the return system (returning lots of books repeatedly), Audible may flag your account and restrict future returns. This is rare, but it happens.
Here’s something important: if you’re in the middle of listening to a book when you return it, you lose all your progress. The bookmark, the playback position, all of it—gone. So if you’re on the fence about a book, maybe finish it before returning it, or at least get pretty far in. That said, if you genuinely hate it, there’s no point in forcing yourself to finish.
Return Limits and Restrictions
Audible doesn’t publish an exact limit on how many books you can return per year, but there are definitely boundaries. Here’s what we know from user experience and Audible’s terms:
The 30-day window is hard. After 30 days, the return button disappears completely. There’s no way to return a book after that period, even if you contact support. This is the most important restriction to remember when you’re deciding whether to return something.
One return per title. You can only return a specific audiobook once. After you return it and then repurchase it, you can’t return that same version again. (If there’s a new version or narration, that might be different, but the same edition? One shot.)
Audible watches for abuse. If you’re returning 10 books a month consistently, Audible will notice. They may send you a warning or restrict your return privileges. The idea is that returns are for genuine mistakes or incompatibility, not for using Audible like a library.
Subscription credits vs. purchased credits. If you’re on an Audible subscription plan (like Audible Plus or the standard monthly plan), your monthly credit can be used to “purchase” a book, and that purchase can be returned within 30 days. The credit goes back to your account. This is different from buying a book with your own money—if you buy a book with cash, you still get a credit refund, not a cash refund.
For more details on managing your Audible subscription overall, check out our guide on how to cancel Audible subscription, which covers account management and subscription details.
Troubleshooting Return Issues
Sometimes things don’t go smoothly. Here are the most common problems people run into when trying to return a book on Audible and how to fix them:
“Return Title” option doesn’t appear in the menu.
This usually means the book is outside the 30-day return window. Double-check the purchase date. If it’s been more than 30 days, you’re out of luck. If it’s within 30 days and the option still isn’t there, try:
- Log out of the app completely and log back in.
- Update the Audible app to the latest version.
- Try returning it through the desktop website instead of the app.
- Clear your browser cache if you’re using the web version.
The return button is greyed out or disabled.
This sometimes happens if Audible’s servers are having issues. Wait a few minutes and try again. If it persists, try a different device or browser. Occasionally, restarting the app or clearing cache fixes this.
You returned a book but the credit didn’t show up.
This is rare, but it happens. The credit usually appears within minutes, but sometimes it takes up to 24 hours. If it’s been longer than that:
- Check your account history to confirm the return was processed.
- Contact Audible customer support through the app or website. They’re usually responsive and can manually credit your account if there’s a glitch.
You accidentally returned the wrong book.
If you realized your mistake immediately (within minutes), contact Audible support right away. Explain what happened. They can sometimes reverse returns if you catch it quickly enough. The longer you wait, the less likely they are to help, so don’t delay.
The book is still on your device even after returning it.
This is actually normal behavior. The downloaded file stays on your device, but it won’t play or sync. You can manually delete it from your device’s storage if you want to free up space. The app will show it as unavailable or greyed out.
If you’re having persistent issues with returns or your Audible account in general, Audible’s customer support is genuinely one of the better ones. You can reach them through the app, the website, or by contacting Amazon directly. They handle most issues within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return a book on Audible after 30 days?
– No. The 30-day return window is final. After that, the “Return Title” option disappears from your library, and Audible will not process returns for books outside this period. Plan ahead if you’re on the fence about a book.
Do I get my money back or a credit when I return a book on Audible?
– You get a credit to your Audible account, not a refund to your original payment method. This credit can be used to purchase any other audiobook on Audible. If you originally bought the book with a monthly subscription credit, the credit is restored to your account.
What happens to my listening progress when I return a book?
– All your progress—bookmarks, playback position, notes—is lost immediately when you return the book. The audiobook is removed from your library completely, and you start from scratch if you repurchase it later.
Can I return a book on Audible Plus?
– Books from the Audible Plus Catalog work differently. Instead of “returning” them, you simply remove them from your library. You can add them back anytime without any restrictions. This is much more flexible than the standard return policy.
Will Audible restrict my account if I return too many books?
– Potentially, yes. If you return an unusually high number of books (like 10+ per month consistently), Audible may flag your account and restrict or disable your return privileges. Returns are meant for genuine incompatibilities, not as a substitute for a library service.
Can I return a book I purchased with a gift card or promotional credit?
– Yes. Regardless of how you paid for the book, if it’s within 30 days and you initiated the purchase yourself, you can return it. The credit is restored to your account balance.
How do I know if a book is still returnable?
– The easiest way is to check your library. If the “Return Title” option appears in the three-dot menu, it’s returnable. If the option is missing, the 30-day window has passed.
Can I return a book if I’ve listened to the entire thing?
– Yes, absolutely. There’s no restriction based on how much you’ve listened to. You could finish an entire audiobook and still return it within 30 days if you didn’t like it. Audible doesn’t track listening time for return eligibility.
What if the audiobook has a technical issue or doesn’t work?
– If there’s a genuine technical problem with the file (it won’t play, it’s corrupted, audio quality is broken), contact Audible support. They may replace the file or process a return outside the normal 30-day window. Describe the issue clearly when you reach out.
Can I return a borrowed or gifted audiobook?
– If someone gifted you an audiobook, you can only return it if you’re the one who claimed the gift and added it to your library. You can’t return books that belong to someone else’s account. Borrowed books through Audible’s sharing feature can’t be returned.
Final Thoughts on Returning Books on Audible
Knowing how to return a book on Audible is genuinely useful, especially if you’re an active listener who tries a lot of different titles. The 30-day window is generous enough that you’ll almost always have time to decide if something’s worth keeping, and the process itself is straightforward once you know where to look.
The key takeaway: returns are there for a reason, but they’re not meant to be abused. Use them when a book genuinely isn’t working for you—wrong narrator, unexpected plot direction, genre mismatch—but not as a way to cycle through free audiobooks constantly. Audible’s pretty reasonable about this, but they do pay attention to patterns.
If you’re thinking about your Audible subscription overall and whether it makes sense for you, or if you’re managing multiple subscriptions, our guide on how to cancel Audible subscription covers the full picture of managing your account. And if you’re juggling multiple subscriptions in general, we’ve got guides on how to cancel YouTube TV and how to cancel Canva subscription as well.
The bottom line: you have tools to fix a bad audiobook purchase. Use them wisely, and you’ll get way more value out of your Audible membership. Happy listening.
