Audely

Getting started

Create your first library, link audio folders, and start listening.

How Audely builds your library

Audely turns folders of audio into a listening library. Your audio files stay where you put them. Audely adds organisation, artwork, progress, favourites, notes, podcast transcripts, and preferences around those files.

Audely requires iOS or iPadOS 26 or later on iPhone and iPad, or macOS 26 or later on Mac.

Before you begin

Prepare a folder containing audiobooks, podcast downloads, archived shows, or other long-form audio you have permission to use. Audely scans subfolders too. A folder in iCloud Drive works, provided the audio is downloaded or otherwise available to the current device.

Create your first library

iPhone and iPad

  1. Open Settings in Audely and choose Library.
  2. Choose Add folder, select the folder containing your audio, and grant Audely access when the system asks.
  3. Choose Audiobooks, Podcasts, or Audiobooks and podcasts. For a mixed folder, select the files that belong to audiobooks.
  4. Review the import status and summary.
  5. Open Library, choose Audiobooks or Podcasts, and select something to play.

Mac

  1. Open Audely › Settings and select Library.
  2. Choose Add folder, select the folder containing your audio, and grant Audely access when the system asks.
  3. Choose Audiobooks, Podcasts, or Audiobooks and podcasts. For a mixed folder, select the files that belong to audiobooks.
  4. Review the import status and summary.
  5. Choose Audiobooks or Podcasts in the sidebar and select something to play.

How Audely organises an import

Audely reads supported audio in the selected folder and its subfolders. Audiobook files are organised into books and parts, using available author, narrator, series, publication, numbering, artwork, filename, and folder information. Podcast files are organised into shows and episodes. You can correct the resulting library in Book settings, Part settings, Show settings, or Episode settings without rewriting the audio files. Book details such as author, narrator, series, and publication date are editable, and parts can keep their own values. See Organise your library.

If a file cannot be read or a folder later becomes unavailable, Audely keeps its part or episode in your library and shows that the audio needs attention. Use Choose Folder when Audely offers access recovery to restore the existing folder at its current location rather than importing a duplicate copy.

Start listening

Choose an audiobook, a podcast, or an episode to play. Audely saves position and played state automatically. Audiobook progress is derived from the parts, and the favourite applies to the whole audiobook. Podcast episodes have their own favourite and played actions.

What Audely stores

  • Source audio remains in your chosen folder. Your audio files are never sent to Audely. Audely reads them for playback and file information but does not move or rewrite them. If the folder is in iCloud Drive, Apple manages that folder under your Apple Account, independently of Audely sync, backups, and transcription.
  • Library information such as titles, artwork, audiobook and podcast organisation, progress, favourites, notes, podcast transcripts, and preferences is stored separately in Audely’s local library.
  • Synced information can move between your devices through iCloud when you opt in. Source audio and folder access never sync.

For supported formats, source scans, restoring folder access, and safe folder removal, continue with Add audio and folders.