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How to listen to audiobooks and podcasts offline

At a glance

  • Offline playback needs the actual audio files on the listening device. A visible iCloud Drive item may still need downloading.
  • Add the folder to Audely, download every part or episode you need, and test playback with the internet disconnected. No Pro subscription is needed for local playback.
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1. Start with accessible audio files

Use MP3, M4B, M4A, or other supported audio in Files or Finder. Extract ZIP downloads first and keep each book or show in its own folder.

A download inside Audible, Spotify, or Libby is not necessarily an audio file you can open in Audely. Use that service’s player for app-only downloads. Audely does not download new podcast episodes from feeds.

2. Keep the files on the listening device

For iCloud Drive audio:

  • iPhone or iPad: open Files, find the folder, touch and hold it, and choose Keep Downloaded where offered.
  • Mac: Control-click the folder in Finder and choose Keep Downloaded.

Wait for all downloads to finish and make sure the device has enough storage. Apple documents this option for iPhone and Mac. Files already stored in a local folder do not need an iCloud download.

An audiobook and its parts in Audely on iPhone

3. Add the folder to Audely

Open Settings › Library › Add folder on iPhone or iPad, or Audely › Settings › Library › Add folder on Mac. Select the folder and choose Audiobooks or Podcasts. For a mixed folder, choose Audiobooks and podcasts, then mark the audiobook files.

Open Library, find the book or episode, and start playback. Audely leaves the original audio in your chosen folder.

4. Test before travelling

Disconnect Wi-Fi and mobile data, then try the beginning and a later part of a book, or each episode you plan to hear. One working chapter does not confirm that the rest have downloaded.

If playback fails, reconnect and check the source files and folder status in Settings › Library on iPhone or iPad, or Audely › Settings › Library on Mac. Download missing audio or restore folder access, then test again. The troubleshooting page covers unavailable files in more detail.

Local playback and saved progress work without Audely Pro. If you use Pro sync, changes can sync after you reconnect, but sync and cloud backups never supply the audio files.