How to cancel Audible and what happens to your books
You can cancel your Audible subscription at any time through your account settings on the Audible website or mobile app. Cancellation takes effect immediately, though the timing of when you lose access depends on your membership tier and whether you have an active membership period remaining. Audible does not issue refunds for the current billing period once you cancel, but you keep the audiobooks you've already purchased or received as part of your membership credits.
The process itself takes about two minutes. You do not need to contact customer service unless you want to explore pause options or have questions about your specific account. Audible will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to stay, but you can decline and proceed with canceling.
Key Takeaways
- Cancellation happens immediately when you confirm it in your account settings, but you keep all audiobooks you've already purchased or claimed with credits.
- You will not receive a refund for your current billing period, even if you cancel partway through the month.
- After cancellation, you can still listen to your library of audiobooks on the Audible app, but you cannot purchase new ones or use monthly credits.
- Audible offers a pause option that suspends your membership for up to three months without canceling, which preserves your credits if you want to return later.
Steps to cancel through the Audible website
Log into your Audible account at audible.com using your email and password. Go to your Account Details page, usually found in the menu under "Account" or "Settings." Look for a section labeled "Membership" or "Subscription" — this is where your current plan and billing information appear.
Click the option to cancel membership or manage your subscription. Audible will show you a confirmation screen that lists what you're about to lose (monthly credits, member pricing) and what you keep (your audiobook library). Review this information, then click the button to confirm cancellation. You should receive an email confirmation within a few minutes.
Canceling through the Audible mobile app
Open the Audible app and tap the profile icon, usually in the bottom right corner. Select "Account Settings" or "Membership." Scroll to find the option for canceling or managing your subscription — the exact label varies by whether you use iOS or Android, but it will be in the membership section.
Tap to cancel, review the confirmation screen, and confirm your choice. The app will show you the same information as the website: what you lose and what you keep. Cancellation takes effect immediately, and you'll receive a confirmation email.
What happens to your audiobooks after cancellation
You keep every audiobook you purchased outright or claimed with a monthly credit. These remain in your library and you can listen to them as many times as you want using the Audible app. You do not lose access to them because you canceled your membership.
However, you can no longer purchase new audiobooks at member prices, and you cannot use monthly credits. If you want to buy more audiobooks after canceling, you'll pay the full retail price. You also lose access to Audible Plus, Audible's subscription service for a rotating catalog of titles — if you had Plus as part of your membership, those titles disappear from your library once you cancel.
Pausing instead of canceling
Audible offers a pause option that suspends your membership for one to three months without canceling it. During the pause, you do not get charged, your monthly credits do not renew, and you cannot purchase audiobooks. When the pause ends, your membership resumes automatically and billing starts again.
Pausing is useful if you want to keep your membership active but need a break from paying. Your credits do not expire during a pause, so you can return and use them later. To pause, go to your Account Settings, find the membership section, and look for a "Pause Membership" option. You'll choose how long to pause (one, two, or three months) and confirm.
Refunds and billing after cancellation
Audible does not refund the current billing period. If you cancel on the 15th of the month but your billing date is the 1st, you've already paid for the full month and will not receive a partial refund. Your membership ends immediately, but you've paid through the end of that billing cycle.
If you were charged after you canceled, contact Audible customer service through your account or by phone. Billing errors do happen, and Audible can investigate and issue a refund if a charge was made in error. Keep your cancellation confirmation email as proof of when you canceled.
Reactivating your membership later
You can reactivate your Audible membership at any time by logging back into your account and selecting a membership plan. Audible may offer you a discount rate to return, especially if you canceled recently. Your audiobook library is still there — reactivating does not restore books you sold back or removed, but it does restore access to everything you kept.
When you reactivate, you start a new billing cycle. Your first charge will be for the plan you choose, and you'll receive a monthly credit starting the following month. There is no waiting period or penalty for reactivating after a cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my audiobooks if I cancel?
No. You keep every audiobook you purchased or claimed with a monthly credit. They stay in your library and you can listen to them anytime after cancellation. You only lose access to Audible Plus titles if you had that subscription as part of your membership.
Can I get a refund if I cancel partway through the month?
Audible does not issue refunds for the current billing period. Once you've been charged for a month, that charge is final even if you cancel before the month ends. If you were charged after canceling, contact Audible customer service to report the error.
What's the difference between pausing and canceling?
Pausing suspends your membership for one to three months without charging you, and your credits wait for you to return. Canceling ends your membership immediately and you lose the ability to purchase books at member prices. Both keep your audiobook library intact.
Will Audible offer me a discount to stay if I try to cancel?
Audible often shows a discount offer on the cancellation confirmation screen. You can accept it to keep your membership at a lower rate, or decline and proceed with canceling. The offer is optional — you're not required to take it.
Can I cancel and come back later without losing my books?
Yes. Your audiobook library is tied to your account, not your membership status. When you reactivate, all your books are still there. Audible may offer you a discount rate to return, but there's no penalty for canceling and rejoining later.