You can delete books from Audible on any device, but deletion is permanent and works differently on phones than on computers
Audible lets you remove books from your library in a few taps or clicks, but the process varies slightly depending on whether you are using the app on your phone, tablet, or the website. Once you delete a book, it is gone from your account — you cannot undo the deletion, though you can re-read it later if you purchased it or still have access through a library card. The steps take less than a minute.
The reason to delete is usually space: the Audible app stores downloaded books on your device, and phones and tablets have limited storage. Deleting from your device does not remove the book from your account; removing it from your account does. This guide covers both, so you can choose which one you need.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a book from your device frees up storage but keeps it in your Audible account; you can re-read it anytime.
- Removing a book from your account is permanent and requires going to the website or using the account settings in the app.
- On iPhone or Android, open the app, find the book, swipe left or press and hold, and tap delete or remove.
- On the Audible website, go to your library, click the three dots next to the book title, and select remove from library.
- If you borrowed a book through a library card, deletion is the same, but the book returns to your library's catalog after the loan period ends.
Delete a book from your phone or tablet
On iPhone: Open the Audible app and go to your library. Find the book you want to remove. Swipe left on the book cover — a red delete button will appear. Tap it. The book is now removed from your device but stays in your account online.
On Android: Open the Audible app, go to your library, and long-press (hold your finger on) the book cover until a menu appears. Tap delete. The book is removed from your device but remains in your account.
If you want to free up space but keep the book in your account so you can listen again later, this is the method to use. The book will still show in your library on the Audible website and in the app — you just will not see it in your downloaded books list.
Remove a book completely from your Audible account
To delete a book so it no longer appears in your library at all, you need to use the Audible website or the account menu in the app. On the website, log in to your Audible account, go to your library, find the book, click the three dots (or menu icon) next to the title, and select "Remove from library." Confirm the deletion when prompted.
On the Audible app, this option is less visible. Go to your library, tap the three dots in the top right corner, select "Settings," then "Content and Devices," and look for the option to manage your library. From there you can remove titles. The exact path varies slightly between iPhone and Android, but the principle is the same.
Once you remove a book from your account, it disappears from your library everywhere — the app, the website, and any other device you use Audible on. If you purchased the book, you can re-read it to your account later using the same purchase. If you borrowed it through a library card, you cannot get it back until you borrow it again.
What happens to books you borrowed through a library card
If you added a book to your Audible account through a library card, deleting it works the same way as a purchased book — it removes it from your library. However, the book automatically returns to your library's Audible catalog when the loan period ends (usually 14 or 21 days, depending on your library). You do not need to manually return it.
If you delete a borrowed book before the loan period ends, you are straightforward removing it from your account early. The loan slot opens up for another patron to borrow, which is helpful if you know you will not finish it in time. You can borrow the same book again later if you want.
Recover a deleted book
If you deleted a book by mistake, you cannot undo the deletion directly. However, if you purchased it, you can re-read it to your account at no cost. Log into your Audible account on the website, search for the book by title or author, and click the read button. It will return to your library with your bookmarks and progress intact if you had listened to it before.
If the book was borrowed through a library card and you deleted it before the loan ended, you will need to borrow it again from your library. If the loan period has already ended, the book is no longer checked out to you, and you can borrow it fresh if it is available.
Why you might want to delete books
The main reason is device storage. Audiobooks are large files — a single book can take 500 MB to 2 GB of space depending on length. If your phone or tablet is running low on storage, deleting downloaded books is one of the fastest ways to free up room without losing access to them. You can always re-read them later over Wi-Fi.
A secondary reason is organization. If your library has grown very large, removing books you will never listen to again can make it easier to find the ones you actually want. This is purely a preference — keeping them takes no storage space on your account, only on your device if they are downloaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete a book, do I lose my place in it?
If you delete the book from your device only (not your account), your progress is saved and you can re-read it later to pick up where you left off. If you remove it from your account completely, you lose your bookmarks and progress. If you purchased the book, you can re-read it, but it will start from the beginning.
Can I delete multiple books at once?
On the Audible website, you can select multiple books using checkboxes and delete them in one action. In the app, you must delete books one at a time. The website is faster if you need to remove many titles.
What if I borrowed a book through my library and the loan period is almost over?
You can delete it anytime. The book will return to your library's catalog automatically when the loan ends, whether you delete it or not. Deleting it early just removes it from your account sooner and frees up a loan slot for another patron.
Will deleting a book affect my Audible subscription?
No. Your subscription remains active and you can still read new books. Deletion only removes individual titles from your library, not your membership.
Can I delete books on a computer without using the website?
The Audible app is not available for Windows or Mac computers. You must use the Audible website to manage your library on a computer. The website works the same way on any browser.