How-to · Apple Books

How to make an audiobook for Apple Books

Drop your book, download it as an M4B with chapters and cover, and it sits in Apple Books next to the audiobooks you bought. Here is the whole route, Mac and iPhone.

Make the M4B

1.
Drop your book here, or upload it in the Editor.
2.
Pick a Standard narrator and listen for a minute to be sure you like the voice.
3.
Choose Download audiobook, then M4B, and pick a size: compact for your phone, higher quality for good headphones.
4.
Let it finish (you can ask for an email when it is ready) and save the file.

Add it to Apple Books on your Mac

1.
Double-click the M4B. It opens in Books under Audiobooks.
2.
Or open Books and choose File → Add to Library.
3.
Cover, title and chapters show up just like a bought audiobook.

Put it on your iPhone

1.
Connect your iPhone to your Mac and select it in the Finder sidebar.
2.
Open the Audiobooks tab, turn on syncing and tick the book.
3.
Click Sync. The book appears in Books on your iPhone, chapters and cover included.

Why M4B

•
One file for the whole book, with chapter marks you can jump between.
•
Cover and book details show in Apple Books.
•
Your audiobook app remembers your place.
•
Need something else? Pick MP3, Opus or WAV for any other player.

Questions people ask

Which books can I download?

Any of your books. English books can be narrated free with Standard voices; books in all 42 languages with Premium voices, from your plan’s Premium hours.

How many downloads do I get?

Free includes 1 download, Listener 3, Premium 15 and Ultra unlimited.

Will the M4B play outside Apple Books?

Yes. M4B plays in VLC and many audiobook apps on Android, Windows and Linux. Choose MP3 for older players.

Can I share or sell the audiobook?

It is yours to listen to. Plans are for personal use.
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