Ever felt like your Audible subscription is just… sitting there, silently accruing charges while your unlistened-to library grows exponentially? You’re not alone. Many audiobook enthusiasts find themselves in the position of needing to cancel their Audible membership, whether due to budget constraints, a change in listening habits, or simply a desire to explore other platforms. The good news is that canceling Audible is a relatively straightforward process, but understanding the steps involved and the potential implications is key to ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Canceling your Audible subscription means more than just stopping the monthly fee; it also impacts your access to member benefits, credits, and potentially even the audiobooks you’ve already purchased. Knowing what happens to your library, how to retain your audiobooks, and the possibility of pausing instead of fully canceling can save you time, money, and future headaches. This guide will walk you through the various options available, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your audio listening needs.
What happens to my credits and audiobooks when I cancel?
How do I cancel my Audible subscription?
To cancel your Audible subscription, you’ll generally need to visit the Audible website on a computer or mobile browser (not the app itself). Sign in to your account, navigate to the “Account Details” page, and look for a “Cancel Membership” option. Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation.
Audible makes it relatively straightforward to cancel, but they often present options to pause your membership or switch to a cheaper plan before fully canceling. This is their attempt to retain you as a customer. Read each screen carefully during the cancellation process to ensure you understand what you’re agreeing to. If you’re having trouble locating the cancellation option, look for a “Membership Details” or “Manage Membership” section within your account settings. Keep in mind that even after canceling, you will typically retain access to any audiobooks you purchased with credits or outright. The main benefit you lose is the monthly credit and any member-exclusive discounts. You will also likely lose access to any Audible Originals that were part of your included subscription. It’s a good idea to use any remaining credits before canceling to maximize your value. If you cancel before using credits and haven’t used them in some time, you may be eligible for a refund of the cash value of the credits, depending on your membership type and local regulations.
What happens to my credits if I cancel Audible?
Upon canceling your Audible membership, any unused credits typically disappear, unless explicitly stated otherwise in a special offer or promotion. Therefore, it’s generally best practice to use your credits before canceling to avoid losing them.
Audible’s standard policy is that membership credits are tied to an active subscription. Once the subscription is terminated, access to those credits is also terminated. However, any audiobooks you’ve purchased with credits or directly are yours to keep indefinitely, even after cancellation. You can continue to access them through the Audible app or website.
There are rare exceptions or promotions where Audible might offer to let you retain unused credits even after cancellation, but these are not the norm. Always carefully review the terms and conditions of any such offer. If you’re unsure about your specific situation, it’s recommended to contact Audible customer service directly before canceling. They can clarify your account status and whether any exceptions apply to your unused credits.
Can I still listen to my audiobooks after cancelling?
Yes, you retain access to all the audiobooks you purchased with a credit or cash after cancelling your Audible membership. These titles are yours to keep in your Audible library, and you can listen to them anytime through the Audible app or website, even without an active subscription.
When you cancel your Audible membership, the key thing to understand is the difference between audiobooks you *purchased* and audiobooks you accessed as part of your membership benefits, such as through Audible Plus. Purchased audiobooks, whether bought with a credit earned through your subscription or directly with money, become a permanent part of your library. Cancelling your membership only removes the benefits of the subscription, such as monthly credits and access to the Audible Plus catalog. However, audiobooks that are part of the Audible Plus catalog (available to listen to as part of your membership benefits) will no longer be accessible after cancellation. These are like a streaming service; you can listen while subscribed, but access is revoked once your subscription ends. So, ensure you have “purchased” the audiobooks you really want to keep before cancelling your membership.
Is there a cancellation fee for Audible?
No, Audible does not charge a cancellation fee. You can cancel your membership at any time without incurring any extra costs beyond what you’ve already paid for your subscription or any purchased audiobooks.
Audible allows you to cancel your subscription relatively easily, typically through their website. When you cancel, your membership benefits, like monthly credits and access to member-exclusive deals, will usually end immediately or at the end of your billing cycle, depending on the specifics outlined during the cancellation process. You retain permanent access to any audiobooks you purchased with credits or money, even after your membership is cancelled; these are yours to keep and listen to anytime through the Audible app. It’s important to note the difference between canceling your membership and deleting your Audible account. Canceling your membership stops your monthly subscription fees and access to membership perks, while deleting your account removes all your data from Audible’s servers. If you only want to stop paying for the service, canceling your membership is the appropriate action.
How do I cancel Audible on my iPhone?
You can’t directly cancel your Audible subscription through the Audible app on your iPhone due to Apple’s in-app purchase policies. Instead, you’ll need to cancel it either through the Audible website on your iPhone’s browser or through the iTunes/App Store if you subscribed through Apple’s in-app purchase system.
If you subscribed directly through Audible, the easiest way to cancel is by visiting the Audible website in Safari or another browser on your iPhone. Log in to your Audible account, navigate to your account details (often found under your name or profile icon), and look for the “Cancel Membership” option. The exact wording may vary slightly, but the process involves following the prompts to confirm your cancellation.
If you initially subscribed to Audible through the Apple App Store, you’ll need to cancel through your Apple account settings. To do this, go to the Settings app on your iPhone, tap your name at the top, then tap “Subscriptions.” Find your Audible subscription in the list, and tap “Cancel Subscription.” Remember to cancel at least 24 hours before your next billing date to avoid being charged for another month.
Can I pause my Audible membership instead of cancelling?
Yes, in most cases you can pause your Audible membership instead of cancelling it. This allows you to retain your existing credits and library without incurring further monthly charges for a limited time.
Audible typically allows you to pause your membership for a period of up to 3 months (90 days). During this time, you won’t receive any new credits, but you’ll still have access to your purchased audiobooks and any benefits associated with your existing library, like listening to podcasts. This can be a good option if you’re going on vacation, temporarily short on funds, or simply need a break from receiving monthly credits. To pause your membership, you’ll usually need to navigate to the “Account Details” section of your Audible account on the Audible website (not the app). Look for an option like “Pause Membership.” Keep in mind that pausing might not be available to all members, particularly those with specific promotional plans or those billed through third-party providers like Apple. Be sure to review the terms and conditions presented during the pause process, as they can vary slightly depending on your subscription and region. If you are billed through Apple, you need to manage your subscription through your Apple account settings.
What is the refund policy after cancelling Audible?
Upon cancelling your Audible membership, your access to Plus Catalog content ends immediately. However, you retain permanent ownership of all audiobooks and content purchased with credits or cash. Refunds for unused credits, if any, generally depend on the specific circumstances of your cancellation and Audible’s discretion. It is always best to contact Audible customer support directly to clarify the specific refund implications based on your account status and region.
Beyond retaining ownership of purchased titles, the exact refund policy regarding unused credits can vary. Typically, Audible does not automatically refund unused credits upon cancellation. Instead, you can usually use them to purchase audiobooks before your membership officially ends. Depending on your reason for cancellation and history with Audible, customer service *may* offer a refund for a portion or all of your unused credits as a courtesy. This is handled on a case-by-case basis. To maximize your chances of a favorable outcome regarding unused credits, it’s crucial to contact Audible support proactively when you decide to cancel. Explain your situation clearly and politely inquire about options for a refund or alternative solutions like extending your membership briefly to allow you to use the credits. Keep in mind that regional policies and specific subscription plans can also influence the refund process.
And that’s all there is to it! Hopefully, this guide made canceling your Audible membership a breeze. We’re sad to see you go, but we totally understand. Thanks for giving us a try, and we hope you’ll be back in the future whenever the mood for a good audiobook strikes. Happy listening (or, well, maybe reading for now)!