What Happens When You Hit the Pause Button: A Comprehensive Guide to Canceling Your Audible Subscription

Are you considering canceling your Audible subscription, but are unsure about what happens next? You’re not alone. With the rise of audiobook popularity, many users are left wondering what they can expect when they decide to stop their subscription. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Audible and explore the ins and outs of canceling your subscription.

Understanding Your Audible Subscription

Before we dive into the cancellation process, it’s essential to understand how your Audible subscription works. Audible is a subscription-based service that offers users access to a vast library of audiobooks, podcasts, and original content. With a subscription, you can enjoy a certain number of free audiobooks per month, depending on your plan.

There are several types of Audible subscriptions, including:

  • Audible Plus: This plan offers access to a limited selection of free audiobooks, podcasts, and original content.
  • Audible Premium Plus: This plan offers access to a vast library of free audiobooks, podcasts, and original content, as well as the ability to purchase additional audiobooks at a discounted rate.

What Happens When You Cancel Your Audible Subscription?

So, what happens when you decide to cancel your Audible subscription? The good news is that canceling your subscription is a relatively straightforward process. Here’s what you can expect:

  • You’ll still have access to your purchased audiobooks: Even if you cancel your subscription, you’ll still be able to access and listen to any audiobooks you’ve purchased through Audible.
  • You won’t be able to access free audiobooks: Once you cancel your subscription, you’ll no longer have access to free audiobooks, podcasts, and original content.
  • You’ll lose your membership benefits: Depending on your subscription plan, you may lose access to membership benefits such as discounted audiobook purchases, exclusive content, and more.

How to Cancel Your Audible Subscription

Canceling your Audible subscription is a relatively simple process. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Log in to your Audible account on the Audible website or mobile app.
  2. Click on the “Account” button and select “Account Settings.”
  3. Scroll down to the “Membership” section and click on “Cancel Membership.”
  4. Confirm that you want to cancel your subscription.

What About My Purchased Audiobooks?

One of the biggest concerns for Audible users is what happens to their purchased audiobooks when they cancel their subscription. The good news is that you’ll still be able to access and listen to any audiobooks you’ve purchased through Audible, even after you cancel your subscription.

However, it’s essential to note that you won’t be able to purchase new audiobooks at the discounted rate you received as a subscriber. You’ll need to purchase audiobooks at the full price, which can be more expensive.

Audible’s Return Policy

If you’re not satisfied with an audiobook you’ve purchased, you can return it for a full refund. Audible’s return policy allows you to return any audiobook within 365 days of purchase.

To return an audiobook, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Audible account on the Audible website or mobile app.
  2. Click on the “Account” button and select “Account Settings.”
  3. Scroll down to the “Purchase History” section and click on the audiobook you want to return.
  4. Click on the “Return” button and follow the prompts to complete the return process.

What About My Credits?

If you’ve accumulated credits through your Audible subscription, you may be wondering what happens to them when you cancel your subscription. The good news is that you can still use your credits to purchase audiobooks, even after you cancel your subscription.

However, it’s essential to note that you’ll need to use your credits within a certain timeframe, usually 12 months from the date of cancellation. If you don’t use your credits within this timeframe, they’ll expire, and you’ll lose them.

Alternatives to Audible

If you’re considering canceling your Audible subscription, you may be wondering what alternatives are available. There are several audiobook services that offer similar features and benefits to Audible, including:

  • Scribd: Scribd is a subscription-based service that offers access to a vast library of audiobooks, e-books, and documents.
  • Libro.fm: Libro.fm is an audiobook service that offers access to a vast library of audiobooks, with a focus on supporting independent bookstores.
  • Google Play Books: Google Play Books is an e-book and audiobook service that offers access to a vast library of titles, with a focus on Android devices.

Comparison of Audiobook Services

Here’s a comparison of the top audiobook services, including Audible, Scribd, Libro.fm, and Google Play Books:

Audiobook ServiceSubscription PriceFree AudiobooksPurchase Options
Audible$14.95/month1-2 free audiobooks per monthPurchase audiobooks at a discounted rate
Scribd$8.99/monthAccess to a vast library of audiobooksPurchase audiobooks at a discounted rate
Libro.fm$14.99/month1 free audiobook per monthPurchase audiobooks at a discounted rate
Google Play BooksNo subscription requiredNo free audiobooksPurchase audiobooks at full price

Conclusion

Canceling your Audible subscription can be a bit daunting, but it’s a relatively straightforward process. By understanding what happens to your purchased audiobooks, credits, and membership benefits, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to cancel your subscription.

If you’re considering canceling your Audible subscription, be sure to explore alternative audiobook services, such as Scribd, Libro.fm, and Google Play Books. These services offer similar features and benefits to Audible, and may be a better fit for your audiobook needs.

Ultimately, the decision to cancel your Audible subscription is up to you. By weighing the pros and cons and exploring alternative options, you can make an informed decision that’s right for you.

What happens to my audiobooks when I cancel my Audible subscription?

When you cancel your Audible subscription, you will still have access to all the audiobooks you have purchased or downloaded. You can continue to listen to them without any restrictions. However, you will no longer be able to access the audiobooks that are only available through your subscription, such as the free monthly audiobook or the audiobooks included in the Audible Plus catalog.

It’s also worth noting that if you have any unused credits, they will expire when your subscription ends. So, it’s a good idea to use them before canceling your subscription. Additionally, if you have any audiobooks that you have borrowed through the Audible Escape or Audible Channels services, you will no longer have access to them once your subscription ends.

How do I cancel my Audible subscription?

To cancel your Audible subscription, you can follow these steps: sign in to your Audible account, click on the “Account & Lists” dropdown menu, and select “Account.” Then, click on the “Membership” tab and select “Cancel membership.” You will be asked to confirm that you want to cancel your subscription. Once you confirm, your subscription will be canceled, and you will no longer be charged.

It’s also possible to cancel your subscription through the Audible app. To do this, open the app, tap on the menu icon, and select “Account.” Then, tap on “Membership” and select “Cancel membership.” You will be asked to confirm that you want to cancel your subscription. Once you confirm, your subscription will be canceled, and you will no longer be charged.

Can I pause my Audible subscription instead of canceling it?

Yes, Audible allows you to pause your subscription for up to 3 months. To pause your subscription, sign in to your Audible account, click on the “Account & Lists” dropdown menu, and select “Account.” Then, click on the “Membership” tab and select “Pause membership.” You will be asked to confirm that you want to pause your subscription. Once you confirm, your subscription will be paused, and you will not be charged during the pause period.

When you pause your subscription, you will still have access to all the audiobooks you have purchased or downloaded. However, you will not be able to access the audiobooks that are only available through your subscription, such as the free monthly audiobook or the audiobooks included in the Audible Plus catalog. You can resume your subscription at any time by signing in to your account and selecting “Resume membership.”

Will I get a refund if I cancel my Audible subscription?

If you cancel your Audible subscription, you will not receive a refund for the current month. However, you will not be charged for any future months. If you have any unused credits, they will expire when your subscription ends. So, it’s a good idea to use them before canceling your subscription.

It’s also worth noting that if you are a new member and you cancel your subscription within the first 30 days, you may be eligible for a refund. To request a refund, you can contact Audible customer service directly. They will review your account and determine if you are eligible for a refund.

Can I reactivate my Audible subscription after canceling it?

Yes, you can reactivate your Audible subscription at any time after canceling it. To reactivate your subscription, sign in to your Audible account, click on the “Account & Lists” dropdown menu, and select “Account.” Then, click on the “Membership” tab and select “Resume membership.” You will be asked to confirm that you want to reactivate your subscription. Once you confirm, your subscription will be reactivated, and you will be charged the monthly fee.

When you reactivate your subscription, you will regain access to all the audiobooks that are only available through your subscription, such as the free monthly audiobook or the audiobooks included in the Audible Plus catalog. You will also be able to use any unused credits that you had before canceling your subscription.

Will canceling my Audible subscription affect my Amazon account?

Canceling your Audible subscription will not affect your Amazon account. Your Amazon account and Audible account are separate, and canceling one will not impact the other. You will still be able to use your Amazon account to purchase products, access your Kindle library, and use other Amazon services.

However, it’s worth noting that if you have an Amazon Prime membership, canceling your Audible subscription may affect your access to certain benefits, such as the free monthly audiobook that is included with Prime membership. If you have any questions about how canceling your Audible subscription will affect your Amazon account, you can contact Amazon customer service directly.

How do I contact Audible customer service if I have questions about canceling my subscription?

If you have questions about canceling your Audible subscription, you can contact Audible customer service directly. To do this, sign in to your Audible account, click on the “Help” dropdown menu, and select “Contact Us.” You can then choose to contact Audible by phone, email, or chat. Audible customer service is available 24/7 to help with any questions or concerns you may have.

When you contact Audible customer service, be prepared to provide your account information and a clear explanation of your question or concern. This will help the customer service representative to assist you more efficiently.

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