How to Listen to Libby Audiobooks on All Devices

Part 1. At a Glance: How Can You Listen to OverDrive Audiobooks?

Find your device below to see the best way to access your OverDrive audiobooks.

Part 2. Is OverDrive Still Available? OverDrive vs Libby

The name OverDrive has not disappeared completely. OverDrive is still the company and digital library platform behind Libby, but the old OverDrive app that many readers used for ebooks and audiobooks has been retired.

What Happened to the OverDrive App?

The legacy OverDrive app went through a gradual phaseout before being discontinued on all platforms on January 31, 2025. If you find an older tutorial telling you to install OverDrive for Windows, Mac, Android, or iPhone, those instructions may no longer reflect the current setup.

For public-library borrowing, Libby is now the main app to use. It connects to participating libraries that use OverDrive's digital lending service and lets you search, borrow, place holds, read ebooks, and listen to audiobooks with a valid library card.

This also explains why people still search for phrases such as "OverDrive audiobooks." Your library may still use OverDrive's platform behind the scenes even though the app you interact with is Libby.

Part 3. How to Listen to OverDrive/Libby Audiobooks on iPhone and Android

Listening on a phone or tablet is usually the most flexible option because the Libby mobile app supports both streaming and offline downloads. You will normally need a valid card from a participating library before you can borrow an audiobook.

Step 1. Download "Libby, by OverDrive" from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the Amazon Appstore. Open it and click the Yes, I Have A Library Card button.

Step 2. You can click the Search For A Library option to search by library name, city, or zip code. (Note: Your library may fall under a broader regional network name).

Step 3. Select your library and enter your library card number and PIN/password. Tap Search to find a title. Use the format filter to strictly view audiobooks.

Step 4. Tap Borrow (or Place Hold if all copies are checked out).

Step 5. Go to Shelf > Loans > Open Audiobook. Tap Play. Libby saves your spot automatically and syncs your progress across connected devices.

Part 4. How to Listen to Libby Audiobooks on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook

There is no longer a desktop application to download for computer users. Instead, Libby provides a web version that works through a browser on Windows, macOS, and Chromebook. Current guidance recommends an up-to-date version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

Step 1. Open Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox and navigate to libbyapp.com.

Step 2. Follow the prompts to add your library card (or sync it via a setup code if you already use the mobile app).

Step 3. Borrow a title, navigate to your Shelf, and click Open Audiobook to use the browser-based player.

Part 5. How to Download Libby Audiobooks for Offline Listening

You don't have to remain connected to Wi-Fi while listening on the Libby mobile app. Books and audiobooks can be stored temporarily on a supported mobile device so that you can continue listening on a flight, during a commute, or anywhere your connection is unreliable. By default, Libby downloads book and audiobook loans when your device is connected to Wi-Fi.

Option 1. Let Libby Download Audiobooks Automatically

Step 1. Go to Menu > Downloads. Here, you can control which borrowed titles download automatically.

Step 2. Choose to download everything, turn downloads off, or set a file-size threshold (helpful since audiobooks take up significantly more space than ebooks).

Step 3. Toggle Download Only on Wi-Fi to protect your cellular data plan.

Option 2. Download a Libby Audiobook Manually

Navigate to Shelf > Loans. Tap the cloud/status icon next to your audiobook. Once it reaches 100%, the file is stored locally on your device for playback inside the Libby app.

Part 6. Can You Download and Transfer Libby Audiobooks to an MP3 Player?

If you used the old OverDrive desktop app years ago, you may remember transferring audiobooks to portable MP3 players via a USB cable. That workflow is no longer available through Libby. That's to say, Libby currently does not support transferring its audiobooks to traditional MP3 players or iPods.

Due to updated digital rights management (DRM) and publisher licensing agreements, Libby audiobooks cannot be exported as standard MP3 files. They are encrypted to play exclusively within the Libby ecosystem.

Alternative Way to Play Audiobooks on MP3 Player

If you specifically require compatibility with a traditional screen-free MP3 player, you might consider purchasing audiobooks from platforms like Audible instead of borrowing them. Because purchased audiobooks operate under a different ownership model than library loans, playback and device compatibility work differently.

For users who already own an Audible library, there are third-party desktop utilities designed to adapt these files for standard hardware. For instance, the DRmare Audible Converter is a tool that processes Audible's proprietary AA/AAX file types and converts them into standard audio formats like MP3 or M4A. This process can make the audio files readable by traditional MP3 players that do not support the native Audible application.

For more detailed instructions on navigating this process, please see our separate guide to transferring Audible audiobooks to MP3 players.

Part 7. How to Use the Libby Audiobook Player

Once an audiobook is open, Libby provides more than basic play and pause controls. A few features are particularly useful for long books, studying, or listening before bed.

• Adjust Playback Speed: Tap the speedometer icon at the top of the screen. You can fine-tune the narration speed from 0.6× up to 3.0×.
• Set a Sleep Timer: Tap the moon icon. You can set the audio to stop after a specific number of minutes or at the end of the current chapter.
• Add Bookmarks & Notes: Tap the bookmark icon to save your place. You can also highlight audio passages and add notes, which are saved to your account even after you return the book.
• Return Early: Finished early? Go to Shelf > Loans > Manage Loan > Return Early. This passes the book to the next person in line!

Part 8. FAQs About OverDrive and Libby Audiobooks

Part 9. Conclusion

With the legacy OverDrive app retired, Libby is now the primary way to borrow library audiobooks. The mobile app offers the easiest setup and allows for offline downloads, while computer users can stream directly via libbyapp.com. Although traditional MP3-player transfers are no longer supported, Libby's built-in features, such as adjustable playback speeds, sleep timers, and automatic returns, provide a seamless, subscription-free listening experience on modern devices.