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How To Listen To Audiobooks On iPad

Updated on March 17, 2015

How to Listen to Audiobooks on iPad - Overdrive Audio Books Makes It Free

There are many ways that you can listen to audiobooks on iPad. There is iBooks on iTunes, Audible on Amazon, and Overdrive audio books are for free from the library.

The other audio book players on the market had limited options available for downloading audio books. However all of these options for how to listen to audiobooks on iPad are available. This is why I decided to get an iPad for my mom for Christmas this year.



Listen to Audio Books
Listen to Audio Books | Source

Audio Books - The Solution For a Reader With Macular Degeneration

My mom has macular degeneration, an ailment of the eyes, which causes you to lose your vision. Unfortunately it has now progressed to the point where she can no longer read a book.

This has been really hard for my mom since she is an avid reader. She used to read every single day, finishing large books in a day or two. So I needed to find a way to bring the joy of books back into her life.


This started my search for what would be the best audio book player. When I looked for how to listen to audiobooks for people with low vision, I found the Victor Reader.

However with the Victor Reader, playing audio books is basically all that it does and costs about the same as an iPad or a Kindle. Plus you had to sign up for an expensive service to get the books for it.


I considered getting the Kindle as it is one of the most popular choices on the market for ebooks. It is multifunctional like the iPad, but it is was not listed as a compatible device with Overdrive audio books at my local library.

Which is important since with Overdrive she can download all the latest audio books for free from my local library. When someone reads as much as my mother does, being able to get audiobooks for free is important.

Steps for How to Listen to Audiobooks on iPad

When I learned Overdrive was compatible with the iPod and the iPad, I thought I should test it out, so I borrowed my niece's iPod touch. I downloaded Divergent by Veronica Roth see what the process would be like and to try listening to an audio book. It was fantastic. What I love is that you can stop it whenever you want and it will remember your place in the story. If you want you can rewind back a few seconds or even by chapter. You are also able to speed up or slow down the pace of the person who is reading the book.

Here are the steps for how to listen to audiobooks on iPad or an iPod:

  1. Go to iTunes and search for Overdrive Media Console
  2. Download Overdrive Media Console which is a Free app
  3. You then have to set up an Adobe password. It will take you there when you click on it and it is free.
  4. Now that it is installed click on the Overdrive App. When it opens chose Add a library.
  5. Once you add your local library, you can then search all the audiobooks that they have available, and chose the one you want.
  6. Then you just sign in with your library card ID and it will download the book onto your iPad (or iPod Touch)
  7. Now when you open Overdrive your book is there. Tap onto the title and it will start playing (at the beginning the first time and wherever you left off after that).

Another way is to download the app onto your computer following steps 1-5 (except using the app store instead of iTunes, if it is a PC). With step 6 it will download the book onto your computer instead. Then you just connect your iPad to your computer and transfer it. Then you will find your book in your music app instead.

Video Tutorials for How to Listen to Audiobooks on iPad

How To Get The APP

How To Find and Download an Audio Book

Listening To The Book

Where To Get Audio Books

The only problem with Overdrive audio books from my local library is that they don't have any Harlequin Intrigue books in an audio book format. This is problem since these are my mom's favorite.

Luckily the iPad is compatible with Audible on Amazon, which carries the audio book version, so she will be able to download her favorite series from there. She can also use iTunes to get ibooks for her device.


While either the iPod touch or the iPad would both be able to let her listen to the best audio books, I decided to get her the iPad.

I wanted to make sure she would enjoy listening to books, so I had her try it with the iPod, but she found it hard to see. The iPad has a much larger screen which will help her to see the apps with her limited vision.

As her eyesight gets progressively worse, the iPad also comes with a function that allows it to read whatever is on the screen to you. This will help make it easier for her to be able to continue to use it in the future.




OTTERBOX DEFENDER SERIES Case for iPad Air 2 - Frustration FRĒe Packaging - BLACK
OTTERBOX DEFENDER SERIES Case for iPad Air 2 - Frustration FRĒe Packaging - BLACK
You should always get a case to protect your iPad. This is the one I bought. You can never go wrong with an Otterbox, they have one of the best reputations in the business.
 
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