You’ve been there. You downloaded an audiobook on Audible, listened for twenty minutes, and realized it’s not what you expected. Maybe the narrator’s voice grates on you. Maybe the plot moves like molasses. Or maybe you accidentally bought the wrong edition. The good news? Audible lets you return books—but only if you know the right steps. This guide walks you through exactly how to return an Audible book, whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or computer. We’ll cover the return window, what happens after you return it, and the common mistakes people make that prevent successful returns.
Understanding Audible’s Return Window
Let’s start with the hard truth: you can’t return an Audible book whenever you feel like it. Audible gives you a 30-day return window from the purchase date. That’s it. After 30 days, your book is yours—no refunds, no exchanges, no exceptions (with rare customer service exceptions). Think of it like a rental period with a built-in safety net.
The 30-day clock starts the moment you purchase the book, not when you first listen to it. So if you buy a book on January 1st and don’t open it until January 15th, you still only have until January 31st to return it. This is why checking your purchase date matters before you start listening.
Here’s what’s important to know about the return window:
- The 30-day limit applies to all Audible members, whether you’re on a monthly plan or an annual membership
- You can return books purchased with credits or with money
- The return window doesn’t reset if you return a book and buy another one
- Audible tracks your return history, so abusing the system (returning books constantly) can result in account restrictions
If you’re someone who frequently returns books, you might want to reconsider your listening habits or explore whether Audible is the right fit for you. If you’re thinking about canceling altogether, our guide on how to cancel your Audible subscription covers all the details you need.
How to Return a Book via the Audible App
Most people use the Audible app on their phone or tablet, so let’s start there. The mobile app makes returning books straightforward if you know where to look.
Step 1: Open the Audible app and navigate to your library. Tap the “Library” icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a bookshelf). This shows all your purchased and downloaded books.
Step 2: Find the book you want to return. Scroll through your library or use the search function to locate the audiobook. Don’t worry if you’ve already listened to part of it—Audible doesn’t care how much you’ve listened to before returning.
Step 3: Tap and hold the book cover (or tap the three-dot menu icon). On most phones, a menu will pop up with several options. You’re looking for “Return Title” or “Return This Book.” The exact wording varies slightly depending on your device and app version.
Step 4: Confirm the return. Audible will ask you to confirm that you want to return the book. They might ask why you’re returning it (feedback purposes), but you don’t have to give a detailed explanation. A simple “Not what I expected” or “Didn’t like the narrator” is fine.
Step 5: Check for confirmation. Once you confirm, the app should show a success message. The book will disappear from your library within a few seconds to a few minutes. Your credit or refund will be processed within 24-48 hours.
Pro Tip: If you can’t find the three-dot menu, try swiping left on the book cover. On some app versions, this reveals the return option.
How to Return a Book via Audible.com
If you prefer using the web version or your phone’s browser, returning a book through Audible.com is just as easy—and some people find it clearer because the buttons are bigger.
Step 1: Go to Audible.com and log into your account. Use your Amazon credentials (Audible is owned by Amazon, so they share the same login).
Step 2: Click on “Library” or “Your Books.” This is usually in the top menu bar or in your account dropdown menu. You’ll see all your purchased titles.
Step 3: Find the book you want to return and click on it. This opens the book’s detail page, which shows the cover, description, narrator, and your purchase date.
Step 4: Look for the “Return Title” button. On the book’s detail page, there should be a button or link that says “Return Title” or “Return This Book.” It’s usually near the top of the page, sometimes in a dropdown menu labeled “Actions” or similar.
Step 5: Click the return button and confirm. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm the return. You might see a dropdown asking why you’re returning it. Select a reason if you want (it’s optional), then click “Return” to finalize.
Step 6: Wait for confirmation. You should see a message confirming the return was successful. The book will be removed from your library, and your credit will be restored to your account within 24-48 hours.
Safety Note: Make sure you’re on the official Audible.com website, not a phishing site. Always check the URL in your browser bar before logging in.
What Happens After You Return Your Book
Understanding what happens after you return a book is crucial, especially if you’re on a limited credit plan. Let’s break it down.
Your credit or money comes back. If you purchased the book with a monthly credit, that credit returns to your account immediately (though it might take up to 48 hours to show). If you paid with money (not a credit), you get a refund to your original payment method. This refund typically appears within 3-5 business days, depending on your bank.
The book disappears from your library. Once returned, you can’t listen to the book anymore. If you’ve downloaded it to your device, the app will prevent you from accessing it. The audiobook is gone from your account as if you never bought it.
You can repurchase it later. Audible doesn’t blacklist you from buying the same book again. You can return a book today and buy it again next month if you want. However, Audible’s system does track return patterns, and excessive returns (like returning the same book multiple times or returning most of your purchases) can flag your account.
Your listening history is affected. Some Audible users report that returned books still appear in their listening history, though you can’t access them. This is more of a cosmetic issue than anything else.
If you’re thinking about managing your Audible account more broadly—perhaps deleting your account entirely—we have a detailed guide on how to cancel your Audible subscription that covers all the implications of closing your account.
Return Limits and Restrictions
Here’s where things get real: Audible doesn’t publish a hard limit on how many books you can return. But they do monitor your behavior, and if you abuse the return system, your account can be restricted or even closed.
What counts as abuse? Returning more than a few books per month, consistently returning books after listening to most of them, or returning the same book multiple times are all red flags. Audible’s terms of service state that returns are meant for books you genuinely don’t want to keep—not as a way to get free audiobooks by rotating through the catalog.
What happens if you return too many books? Audible might send you a warning email. If you continue, they can restrict your ability to return books or even suspend your account. In extreme cases, they’ve been known to close accounts entirely, though this is rare.
The 30-day rule is absolute (mostly). Audible’s customer service is generally firm about the 30-day return window. However, if you have a legitimate issue—like a corrupted file, an incorrect purchase, or a technical problem—you might be able to appeal to customer service for an exception. But don’t count on it.
Think of it like this: Audible’s return policy is generous compared to many digital services, but it’s not a trial membership. Use it responsibly, and you’ll have no problems.
Troubleshooting Common Return Issues
Sometimes the return process doesn’t go smoothly. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.
“I can’t find the return button.” This usually means you’re looking in the wrong place or your app is outdated. Try these steps: First, make sure your Audible app is up to date by checking your phone’s app store. Second, try accessing Audible through the web browser (Audible.com) instead of the app—the web version is often more reliable. Third, if you’re on the app, try swiping left on the book cover or looking for a three-dot menu icon.
“The return button is greyed out.” This almost always means your 30-day return window has closed. Check your purchase date by clicking on the book and looking for “Purchased on [date].” If it’s been more than 30 days, Audible won’t let you return it. Customer service can sometimes make exceptions, but it’s not guaranteed.
“I returned the book, but my credit hasn’t appeared.” Credits can take up to 48 hours to reappear in your account. Wait a full day before contacting support. If it’s been 48 hours and the credit still hasn’t shown up, contact Audible customer service with your order number and return confirmation.
“The app keeps saying ‘error’ when I try to return.” This is usually a temporary glitch. Try these fixes: Close the app completely and reopen it. If that doesn’t work, log out of your account and log back in. If the problem persists, try returning the book through Audible.com instead of the mobile app. If all else fails, contact customer service.
“I accidentally returned the wrong book.” If you realize your mistake within a few minutes, contact Audible customer service immediately. They might be able to cancel the return before it processes. If the return has already gone through, you’ll need to repurchase the book—they won’t automatically reverse a return once it’s confirmed.
Real Talk: Audible’s customer service is usually helpful and responsive. If you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out. They have more flexibility than the automated system suggests.
How Returns Connect to Your Subscription
Understanding how returns work with your Audible subscription is important because it affects your planning and budget.
Monthly credits and returns. If you’re on Audible Plus (the standard subscription), you get one credit per month. When you return a book, that credit goes back into your account. You can then use it to purchase another book. Unused credits roll over, but they expire after 12 months, so don’t hoard them indefinitely.
Audible Plus Catalog. If you’re listening to books from Audible’s Plus Catalog (the ad-supported collection included with your subscription), you don’t purchase them individually, so there’s nothing to return. You can listen to as many as you want, and if you don’t like one, just stop listening and pick another.
What if you cancel your subscription? When you cancel Audible, you keep the books you’ve purchased (whether you returned them or not), but you lose access to the Plus Catalog. Your credits don’t transfer to anything else—they’re gone. If you’re thinking about canceling, check out our guide on how to cancel your Audible subscription for a full breakdown of what you need to know.
Refunds vs. credits. If you paid for a book with money instead of a credit, the refund goes back to your original payment method, not as an Audible credit. This is important to understand if you’re trying to manage your account balance.
The connection between returns and your subscription is straightforward: returns give you flexibility to experiment with books without losing your monthly investment. Use that flexibility wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return an Audible book if I’ve listened to the whole thing?
– Yes, you can return a book even if you’ve listened to it completely. Audible doesn’t care how much of the book you’ve consumed. As long as you’re within the 30-day return window from your purchase date, you can return it. However, if you’re returning books constantly after listening to most of them, Audible might flag your account for abuse.
What’s the difference between returning a book and requesting a refund?
– Returning a book is the standard process we’ve described above—you use the return button in the app or website, and your credit or money comes back within 24-48 hours. Requesting a refund through customer service is what you do if the return button isn’t working or if you’re outside the 30-day window and need to appeal. The end result is the same, but the process is different.
Can I return a book if I borrowed it from someone else’s family library?
– No. If someone shared the book with you through Audible’s family library feature, you can’t return it. Only the person who purchased it can initiate a return. If you want to stop listening to a borrowed book, you can just delete it from your library, but that doesn’t affect the original purchaser’s account.
Do I lose my place in a series if I return a book?
– Audible doesn’t prevent you from reading book 2 in a series if you return book 1. However, it’s a bad idea because you’ll lose access to the first book and won’t be able to relisten to it for reference. If you’re in the middle of a series, it’s better to keep the first book, even if you didn’t love it.
How long does it take for a returned book to be removed from my library?
– The book usually disappears from your library within a few seconds to a few minutes after you confirm the return. If it’s still showing up after an hour, try refreshing the app or logging out and back in. If it persists after several hours, contact customer service.
Can I return a book that I purchased during a sale?
– Yes. The sale price doesn’t matter. If you bought a book for $5 during a flash sale or $15 at full price, you can return it within 30 days and get your credit or money back. Audible doesn’t differentiate between sale and regular-price purchases when it comes to returns.
What happens if I return a book and then want to listen to it again later?
– You’ll need to repurchase it. Audible doesn’t keep a record of “books you’ve returned” that you can re-download for free. Once you return a book, it’s treated as if you never bought it. You can buy it again, but you’ll need to spend another credit or pay the full price.
Can I return a book if my subscription is paused?
– Yes. Your subscription status doesn’t affect your ability to return books. You can return books even if your subscription is paused, cancelled, or expired—as long as you’re within the 30-day window from purchase.
Does Audible charge a restocking fee for returns?
– No. Audible doesn’t charge any fees for returning books. You get your full credit or refund with no penalties.
What if the audiobook file is corrupted or won’t play?
– If the book won’t play due to a technical issue, you have two options: First, try deleting the book from your device and re-downloading it—this often fixes playback issues. Second, if that doesn’t work, contact Audible customer service and explain the problem. They can issue a replacement or a return without the 30-day restriction if the issue is on their end.
Additional Resources and Support
If you need more help managing your digital subscriptions and accounts, there are several related processes worth understanding. For instance, if you’re managing multiple subscriptions and want to clean up your digital life, you might want to explore how to delete a DoorDash account or delete a Reddit account if those services are cluttering your account list. Similarly, if you’re concerned about your privacy and purchase history across platforms, learning how to hide an Amazon order can help you manage your digital footprint. And if you’re a gamer managing multiple subscriptions, understanding how to cancel Fortnite Crew follows the same principles as managing your Audible account.
For official Audible support, you can contact their customer service through the app or website. According to Audible’s official help center, response times are typically 24 hours or less. For broader information about digital media rights and consumer protections, the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer protection resources provide guidance on digital purchases and refunds. Additionally, Amazon’s customer service (which oversees Audible) can help with account-level issues if you need escalation beyond Audible’s direct support.
Final Thoughts on Returning Audible Books
Returning an audiobook on Audible is straightforward once you know the process. The 30-day window is generous, the return button is easy to find (once you know where to look), and the process is hassle-free. The key is to act quickly if you’re not happy with a book and to use the return feature responsibly—not as a way to get free trials of the entire Audible catalog.
Remember: the return policy exists to give you confidence in trying new books and authors. Use it to explore, experiment, and find narrators and genres that work for you. But respect the system, and you’ll have a smooth experience with Audible for years to come.
