How to cancel Audible without losing credits
Audible is one of those services that creates real value if you actually listen, but is wasteful if you don't. Audible knows this, so they've made the cancellation process annoying on purpose. You'll see offers for reduced rates, free months, all kinds of retention gimmicks. You can cancel Audible without losing your books. This is important: your Audible library stays accessible even after you cancel. You can re-download books you've purchased forever (they're in your library, not a rental). You just lose access to the Audible Plus catalog and new credits. Here's how to do it the right way.
Quick Answer / Key Takeaways
Decide what to do with your unused credits first
If you have unused credits, decide before you cancel:
Option A: Use them before canceling
- Audible doesn't refund credits
- Even if you cancel mid-billing-cycle, the credits you already have can still be used
- 'Cash' them in for any book, even ones you might not love — better than wasting them
Option B: Don't cancel, downgrade to Audible Plus
- Audible Plus ($7.95/month) is cheaper than Audible Premium ($14.95/month)
- Plus gives you access to the Plus Catalog (limited selection but lots of content)
- You keep your existing credits
- You can use credits at any point
- Cancel anytime without penalty
Option C: Cancel and lose unused credits
- This is what most 'how to cancel Audible' articles push you toward
- But it's wasteful if you have unused credits
Most people are better off downgrading to Plus if they want to keep credits alive, or using them before canceling.
The actual cancellation process
Audible's cancellation process has changed over the years. Here's the current version (as of 2024):
Web:
1. Go to audible.com and sign in
2. Click your account icon (top right)
3. Go to 'Account Details'
4. Find your membership plan
5. Click 'Cancel membership'
6. Follow the prompts (expect retention offers)
Mobile app:
1. Open the Audible app
2. Tap 'Profile' (bottom right)
3. Tap the gear icon (Settings)
4. Tap 'Account Details'
5. Tap 'Cancel membership'
6. Follow prompts
The 'follow prompts' part is where Audible tries to keep you. You'll see:
- 'Are you sure?' confirmations
- Offers to pause for 1-3 months
- Offers to reduce your rate
- Surveys about why you're canceling
- Reminders of how much you'd save
Be firm. Each 'no thanks' gets you closer to actual cancellation.
Don't accept the retention offers unless they're genuinely good
Audible's typical retention offers:
- 3 months for $1 (works out to $9.95 if you don't cancel after 3 months)
- 50% off for 3 months
- 'Audible Plus for $4.95/month for 6 months'
- Free month extension
If you actually want to keep Audible and just wanted a discount, these are worth considering. If you've decided to cancel, don't accept them. The point of clicking through is to get to actual cancellation, not to bargain.
If you do accept an offer, set a calendar reminder for when the promotional period ends. Audible will auto-renew at full price after the promotion. Many people forget this and get surprised with $14.95 charges 3-6 months later.
When you cancel and it shows you 'you'll get $X back' or 'this is your final chance to stay,' that's also a retention message. It's not a real cancellation blocker.
What you keep and what you lose
After canceling Audible Premium:
What you keep:
- All books you've purchased (in your library forever)
- Access to re-download purchased books
- Your account (still exists, just not premium)
- Your listening history and bookmarks
What you lose:
- Monthly credits (no new ones)
- Access to the Plus Catalog (unless you downgrade to Plus)
- Member discounts on additional purchases
- Exclusive member sales
- Customer support priority
If you re-subscribe later:
- Your library is still there
- Your previous reviews and ratings are preserved
- You can start getting credits again
- It might come with a 'win-back' offer (sometimes $5/month for 3 months)
This isn't a 'you lose everything' scenario. Your books stay with you.
Contact customer service if the website doesn't work
Some people report the 'Cancel membership' button missing or non-functional. If that happens:
1. Try a different browser or device (works for some people)
2. Clear cache and cookies
3. Use the mobile app instead
4. Contact customer service directly:
- Phone: 1-888-283-5051 (US, 24/7)
- Chat: audible.com/contactus
- Email: through their contact form
Audible's customer service is generally helpful. If you want to cancel, they will process it. They may offer retention deals (you can decline).
If they ask why you want to cancel, a simple 'I have enough books to listen to for now' is enough. You're not required to justify it.
Consider alternatives if you still want audiobooks
After canceling Audible, you might want audiobooks elsewhere:
Free options:
- Library apps (Libby, Hoopla): free with library card, huge selection
- Free public domain audiobooks (LibriVox)
- Podcasts (many book adaptations)
Paid alternatives:
- Libro.fm: same prices as Audible, supports local bookstores
- Chirp: discounted audiobooks (no subscription, just pay per book)
- Scribd: $11.99/month, unlimited audiobooks and ebooks (some restrictions)
- Spotify Audiobooks (premium users): limited hours per month
- Apple Books: audiobooks available for individual purchase
If you find you miss Audible after a few months, you can always re-subscribe. Audible often sends win-back offers ($5/month for 3 months, etc.) to lapsed subscribers.
The point of canceling isn't to never get audiobooks again. It's to stop paying for a service you don't use.
Citations & External Resources
This guide was researched using authoritative sources. For further reading, explore the references below:
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cancel Audible without losing credits?
Audible makes cancellation harder than it should be, but you can keep your credits and avoid losing access to your books. For more practical tips, check out our guide on How to stop kids from making in-app purchases.
What is the best way to cancel audible without losing credits?
The best way to cancel audible without losing credits is to follow a systematic step-by-step approach. Audible is one of those services that creates real value if you actually listen, but is wasteful if you don't. Audible knows this, so they've made the cancellation process annoying on purpose. You'll... You might also find our guide on How to stop kids from making in-app purchases helpful.
How long does it take to cancel audible without losing credits?
Most people can cancel audible without losing credits within 6 minutes of consistent practice. The exact timeline depends on your starting point and how diligently you follow the steps in this guide. For more help, read our related guide: How to stop kids from making in-app purchases.