Listen with Alexa

Jun 16, 2025
Knowledge

Title

Listen with Alexa

URL Name

listen-with-alexa

Answer

You can use Audible with any Alexa-enabled device as well as in the Audible app for both iOS and Android. By using voice commands, Alexa can help you add to your collection, find your next title, and listen at your own pace.

Alexa supports all Audible features except:

Clips & bookmarks
Rating & reviews
Listening log
Mark as finished

In this article:

What are the voice commands for Audible on Alexa?
How do I use Alexa in the Audible app?
Can I listen to Audible in the Amazon Alexa app?

What are the voice commands for Audible on Alexa?

Most Alexa devices support the following voice commands.

Note: Because Alexa has access to a wide range of content, from music to TV shows, it helps to mention “Audible” and whether it’s an audiobook or podcast when asking Alexa to play a title. That helps Alexa limit the title search to content in your Audible Library.

To do this...	Say this
Listen to an audiobook	"Alexa, read my book." (plays your last book listened to) "Alexa, read [Tom Sawyer]." "Alexa, read [The Hobbit] from Audible."
Go back or go forward	"Alexa, go back." (rewinds 30 seconds) "Alexa, go forward." (fast forwards 30 seconds) "Alexa, go back [45 seconds]." "Alexa, go forward [2 minutes]."
Pause your audiobook	"Alexa, pause."
Resume your audiobook	"Alexa, resume." "Alexa, play."
Skip chapters	"Alexa, next chapter." "Alexa, previous chapter." "Alexa, go to chapter number [7]." "Alexa, go to last chapter." "Alexa, restart."
Set a timer	"Alexa, stop reading in [12 minutes]." Note: To set a timer, you must first ask Alexa to read your book, then use this command.
Access your library	"Alexa, what are my audiobook?" "Alexa, what's in my Audible library?" "Alexa, show my audiobook." "Alexa, list my Audible books." "Alexa, list my audiobooks by [Jane Austen]."
Switch profiles	"Alexa, switch profiles." (to access another Library) Note: Available if you have more than one profile set up through Amazon Household.
Purchase Books	"Alexa, buy [Name of Book]." "Alexa, read [Name of Book]." Note: Audible members with credits available can purchase audiobooks using Alexa.
Use Alexa as your personal assistant	"Alexa, who wrote Moby Dick?"

Available genres

You can ask Alexa to play a short story from a specific genre. For example, try saying “Alexa, read me a nighttime story.”

Nighttime
Funny
Scary
Family
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Adventure
Romance
Feel-good
Meditation
Relaxation for sleep
Random

How do I use Alexa in the Audible app?

You can use Alexa voice commands in the Audible app for both Android and iOS. To use Alexa, microphone access must be granted and Alexa must be toggled on in your app settings.

Note: Even after Alexa is set to “on,” Alexa will only work if the Audible app is open. Alexa won’t work if the screen is locked or you’re interacting with another app—even if you’re hearing Audible audio in the background.

Set up Alexa in the Audible app

Go to your Profile.
Select the Settings gear icon.
Select Alexa.
Toggle on Hands-free with Alexa.
A prompt will appear asking you to Agree and continue.
Another prompt will appear requesting microphone access.
Select Only while using the app or Always allow.
Say “Alexa” any time the app is on screen or select the Alexa icon in Car Mode.

Note: At this time, the Audible app doesn’t support Alexa voice commands for podcasts.

Can I listen to Audible in the Amazon Alexa app?

The Alexa App lets you set up and manage your Alexa-enabled devices. You can use the app to access your Audible Library in the Play tab, start playback in your app or on any of your linked devices, and use playback commands just like you would on an Echo Dot. Some supported playback controls include:

Play/Pause
Jump back 30 seconds
Jump ahead 30 seconds
Adjust volume
Navigate chapters