We have all been there. You purchase an Audible audiobook, excited to listen to it on your preferred device—maybe an old MP3 player, your car stereo, or a Plex server—only to hit a digital wall.
For years, iTunes was the gatekeeper. To move your own books, you had to sync, authorize, and jump through hoops. But now, with iTunes effectively dead on newer macOS versions and remaining a resource-heavy "bloatware" on Windows, many of us are looking for a cleaner exit.
The reality is that you don't need iTunes to convert your Audible books anymore.
Whether you are an archivist who wants to preserve your library in high-quality M4B or just someone who wants simple MP3s for a USB drive, there are two main ways to do this. You can take the "Do-It-Yourself" manual route, or you can use a modern, streamlined tool that handles everything in one go.
Method 1: The "DIY" Route (Browser Download + Converter)
If you are comfortable managing files and want a free solution, this method is for you. It involves downloading the raw encrypted files yourself and then using a third-party tool to unlock them. It's a bit more hands-on, but it gives you a look "under the hood" of how Audible stores your data.
Phase 1: Get the Raw Files Without an App
Many users assume they need the Audible app or Audible Manager to download their books. That is a misconception. You can actually grab the source files directly from your web browser.
Step 1. Log in to your account on Audible.com using a standard desktop browser like Chrome or Safari.
Step 2. Navigate to your Library. Ensure you are looking at the "Library" page and not the store homepage.
Step 3. Look for the Download button located next to the title of your book.
Step 4. Click it. Your browser will download a file with the extension .aax.
Note:
This .aax file is encrypted. You cannot play it on a standard MP3 player yet, but having this file on your hard drive is the first step toward ownership.
Phase 2: Convert the AAX File
Once you have the file, you need a tool to decrypt it. For the DIY crowd, open-source tools like Libation (highly recommended by the Reddit community) are an excellent choices.
Step 1. Install and launch your chosen open-source converter.
Step 2. Import the .aax file you just downloaded.
Step 3. Select your output format (usually MP3 or M4B) and start the conversion.
This method works well, but it does require you to manually manage file downloads and keep your software updated to match Audible's changing encryption protocols.
Method 2: The "Smart" Route (Using DRmare Audible Converter)
If the idea of manually downloading .aax files and juggling different apps sounds tedious, there is a faster way.
I recently tested the updated DRmare Audible Converter, and it has fundamentally changed its workflow. Unlike older tools that required iTunes to be installed in the background, this software now has a built-in Audible web player.
This means you don't need to download files first. You don't even need to have an Audible app installed. You simply browse your library inside the tool, and it handles the downloading and converting simultaneously.
Here is how to convert Audible books to MP3 without iTunes using this streamlined workflow.
- Step 1Launch and Access the Web Player
Open the DRmare application. Instead of a blank file converter screen, you will see an embedded web browser that loads the Audible login page directly. Log in to your account here. It feels exactly like browsing the website, but with a conversion engine running underneath.
- Step 2Set Your Output Preferences
Before you pick a book, you need to tell the software what you want. Click the "Menu" icon (top right) and select Preferences, then go to the Convert tab and choose your preferred format.
- Step 3Select Your Audiobooks
Browse your library inside the DRmare window just like you would on the web. When you find the book you want to convert, look for the Green "Add" Icon (usually floating in the bottom-right corner). Clicking this will open a playlist window. Check the boxes next to the books you want to grab. You can select an entire series at once if you wish.
- Step 4Convert and Transfer
Click the Convert button. The software will now download the stream and convert it to your chosen format in real-time at high speed (often up to 100x faster than recording). Once finished, your books will be sitting in your local folder, DRM-free and ready to be moved to any device.
Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?
Both methods allow you to convert Audible files without iTunes, but they serve different needs.
| Feature | The "DIY" Method (Libation/Manual) | The "Smart" Method (DRmare) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free / Open Source | Paid (Free Trial Available) |
| Ease of Use | Moderate (Requires manual downloading) | High (All-in-one interface) |
| iTunes Needed? | No | No |
| Download Process | Manual (.aax file via browser) | Automatic (via internal player) |
| Best For... | Tech-savvy users on a budget | Users who value speed and simplicity |
Final Thoughts
The era of being tied to iTunes is over. Whether you choose to manually archive your .aax files or use a streamlined tool like DRmare Audible Converter to automate the process, the result is the same: True Ownership.
You bought these Audible books. You should be able to listen to them on your hike using a Garmin watch, in your car via a USB stick, or on your home media server, without needing permission from a server.
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