How to Download Audiobooks to Your Smartphone from Your Library
Usually I say something like “A few people have asked. . . ” and then I have to clarify that by “a few,” I actually mean, “one person.”
But this time! TWO whole people asked about how to download an audiobook onto your phone from the library.
Well, ask and you shall receive.
I spent a boatload of time taking screenshots of how to download them onto your computer through the Overdrive Media Console and then transfer them to your player (which is how I’ve done it for years) and then I thought, “Hmm, maybe I should try out the Overdrive app, just so I can comment on it.”
You guys? The app is so much better and easier. I’m a convert (I’ve resisted in the past because you couldn’t listen at double speed, but now they’ve added that functionality, plus a lot more. I’m in).
So if you have a smartphone or iPod touch, here’s how to do it in about five seconds. (Are there any of you who would want the whole tutorial for how to do it via computer (useful if you don’t have a smartphone or want to listen to it on your computer)? Because I have a whole folder of screenshots waiting. . . .)
In the meantime, here’s how to use it with the app.
Most libraries use Overdrive (the five library systems I’ve used in the last 5 years all do, and they are spread across four states), so it’s very likely your library does as well. How big the collection of books is depends on your library, but chances are you’ll have SOMETHING.
1. Download the Overdrive app.
2. Open it up on your phone and choose “Add a library.”
It’ll let you do a search for your library, and show you the available options.
4. Search for a book. (You can choose to only have it show available copies if you push that big green button just above your search results).
5. Click the book you want to check out. Push “Borrow” and then “Download.”
6. Go back to the main menu and choose “Bookshelf.” Voila! Your book will be there. (It may take a few minutes to download, depending on how long the book is).
7. Click the book cover to open it and press the play button.
8. You can also change the speed (anywhere from half speed to double speed, in quarter-speed increments).
Thank you for this! I actually had Overdrive on my iPad already, since a librarian friend put it there for me, but the other shoe hadn't dropped re: audiobooks. Love it! So cool!
For Sara: I recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: a good book and a good cast reading it.
This is great!
Ah! I was so excited for this, until the app told me on the book page that borrowing and downloading is disabled for this device. Have you run into this? I'm on an iPhone 4s, and I'm not really sure where to even go to fix it.
Hmm, I've never seen it. Sounds like it might be your library?
Okay, after using the app some more, I know now that it's WMA files that won't download straight to your phone. You'll have to use the computer to transfer those files. But if it's a MP3 book, it should transfer without issue.
I've been using overdrive for years. Using the computer and transferring it allows me to listen to WMA audiobooks when the app doesn't for my galaxy player. For some reason, my library has way more available on wma than mp3.So, I like both methods, although the app is definitely easier.
I would love to know how to do it on the computer first and transfer over so that I can take longer than 7 days.
You are AWESOME!! My husband wanted to listen to a book while he shoveled snow. He was going to use Audible, but I said, "Wait… let me check Everyday Reading to see if she has a post about downloading books from local library." And… of course you do! Thanks so much. You are helpful on so many levels. I have made your recipes, I purchased pants you recommended (but were too skinny for my "athletic" calves, I ordered TogetherBox for my niece and now you're helping educate us on some tools, oh oh oh and now I have a blogger profile because you asked us to complete our profile… who knows maybe I'll start blogging because of you. Thanks for always having helpful, quality and wholesome posts. You are my kind of friend. Thanks so much!
It took potty training to finally motivate me to take the five minutes to do this, so months and months later I finally did it, so thank you! The tutorial was so helpful, I'll definitely be passing this on.
Thank you for this!! I pinned this months ago and just recently actually got around to doing it. I've loved listening to audiobooks. Thank you, thank you!
I've been downloading books for my son to listen to during quiet time, but I it says I can only have 5 holds at a time. Is this library specific? You said you have long hold lists with Overdrive, so I'm just wondering if this is my library's rule, rather than Overdrive's.
I use the wishlist feature to save books I want to listen to later, but yes, every library I've used with Overdrive has a limit on the number of holds (it varies from library to library, but 10 is the most I've ever seen).
Oh I didn't even think to look for a feature like this, but, of course, it makes sense. I'll look for a wishlist on mine. Thanks!
You said you've moved a lot and have used OverDrive for several different library systems. What happens to wish list, ratings, recommendations, hold queue, etc., when you move from one library system to another? Is it kept? Or lost?
Lost, unfortunately. My accounts don't disappear, but I can't combine all the lists and holds into a new account.
So when I download a book does it use a lot of data
It's not HUGE, but it's enough you won't want to just download willy-nilly on the go.
So when I download a book does it use a lot of data
Thank you!! This was so helpful! I just joined OverDrive through my library system and downloaded the app, and I’m so excited to get into audiobooks.
Thank you soooo much! Wish I had found this an hour ago! You’re the best…
Is there a way to download audio books that have pages you can turn? My child loves the concept, but doesn’t like that it’s not interactive. He won’t sit there and stare at the book cover the whole time. I know there was something like this when I was growing up but all the audio book apps I’m finding just show you the cover rather than inside the book as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Yes! You can find all the books from Audible that have images here!
Do you have to have overdrive to download audiobooks? I don’t have a computer, just my Android phone.
Yes! Just download the Overdrive or Libby app on your phone and you can use it entirely without a computer!
Does not work on windows anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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