You can pause Audible for up to three months at a time through your account settings
Audible lets you pause your membership instead of canceling it, which means you keep your audiobook library and your credits don't expire. When you pause, your monthly charge stops when ready, but you can still listen to any books you've already purchased. The pause lasts for one, two, or three months — you choose — and then your membership automatically resumes unless you pause it again before the time runs out.
This matters because canceling Audible is permanent: you lose your credits, your wishlist disappears, and your pricing resets if you rejoin later. Pausing is the middle ground if you need a break but think you'll want to come back.
Key Takeaways
- Pause your membership through the Account Settings page on Audible's website or through the mobile app under Membership.
- You choose whether to pause for one, two, or three months, and your membership resumes automatically when the pause ends.
- Your audiobooks stay in your library while paused, and you can still listen to them — you just don't get a new monthly credit.
- You can pause again before your current pause expires, or resume your membership early if you change your mind.
- Pausing is different from canceling: you keep your credits and your account history, but canceling erases both.
How to pause through the website
Go to audible.com and sign in to your account. Click on your name or profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Account Settings." Look for the "Membership" section — it's usually near the top of the page. You'll see a button that says "Pause Membership" or "Manage Membership." Click it.
Audible will ask you to choose how long you want to pause: one month, two months, or three months. Select your timeframe and confirm. You'll see a confirmation message with the date your membership will resume. Your next charge won't happen until that date, and you can log back in anytime to check when your pause ends.
How to pause through the mobile app
Open the Audible app on your phone or tablet and tap the profile icon at the bottom right (on iOS) or top left (on Android). Scroll down to "Account Settings" and tap "Membership." You should see the same pause options as the website. Select your pause length and confirm.
The app will show you a confirmation screen with your resume date. If you don't see a pause option in the app, try the website instead — sometimes the app lags behind with feature updates.
What happens to your books and credits while paused
Every audiobook you've purchased stays in your library. You can read them and listen to them as many times as you want, even while your membership is paused. Your credits don't expire during the pause — they sit in your account until you resume.
You won't receive a new monthly credit while paused, so you can't buy new books with a credit. If you want to buy a book during a pause, you can pay out of pocket, but most people pause specifically to avoid that charge. Your Whispersync feature (which syncs your listening across devices) keeps working too.
Resuming your membership early or on schedule
If you decide you want to resume before your pause ends, go back to Account Settings and select "Resume Membership." Your charge will restart when ready and you'll get your next monthly credit right away. You don't lose anything by resuming early — you just start paying again.
If you do nothing, your membership automatically resumes on the date shown in your confirmation. Your first charge after the pause will appear on your next billing date. You'll get an email reminder a few days before your pause ends, so you have time to decide if you want to pause again or let it resume.
Pausing versus canceling: what's the difference
When you pause, your account stays active. Your books stay, your credits stay, and your membership history stays. When you cancel, Audible closes your account. You lose any unused credits, your wishlist disappears, and if you rejoin later, you start fresh — sometimes at a different price.
Pause if you're taking a break but think you'll listen again. Cancel only if you're sure you won't use Audible for a long time or at all. You can always cancel after a pause ends if you change your mind, but you can't get your credits back after cancellation.
What to do if you can't find the pause option
Some accounts don't have the pause feature available — usually because of the plan type or your region. If you don't see "Pause Membership" in your Account Settings, you may have a plan that only allows cancellation.
Contact Audible customer service through the website or app. Go to Help & Contact, select "Membership & Subscription," and choose "Chat with us" or "Call us." Tell them you want to pause instead of cancel. They can sometimes enable the pause feature or work out an alternative, like a temporary downgrade to a cheaper plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my credits expire if I pause?
No. Your credits stay in your account and don't expire while you're paused. They're waiting for you when you resume, and you can use them to buy books anytime after you resume.
Can I pause more than three months?
Audible's standard pause is one to three months. If you need a longer break, contact customer service — they may let you pause for a longer period or suggest canceling and rejoining later. Some people pause for three months, then pause again when ready when it ends.
Will I lose my audiobooks if I pause?
No. Every book you own stays in your library. You can listen to them as much as you want while paused. You only lose books if you cancel your account, not if you pause.
What happens if I pause and then forget to resume?
Your membership resumes automatically on the date you chose. You'll get charged for that month and receive a new credit. Audible sends an email reminder a few days before, so you have time to cancel the pause if you've changed your mind.
Can I pause if I'm on a free trial?
No. The pause feature only works on paid memberships. If you're in a free trial period, you can cancel the trial or let it end, but you can't pause it.