Audible stops playing when iPhone locks

Posted by Adam Gorden on Aug 3, 2021 3:53 PM.

Audible stops playing when iPhone locks

Q: Today, the Audible app keeps crashing when my iPhone screen goes into sleep mode. It’s driving me crazy. How to fix this Audible app crashing iOS 7 problem? Thanks in advance.

To listen to Audible books, we usually use the Audible app. Audible has launched Audible for Android, Audible for iOS, Audible for Windows 10, and Audible desktop for users to playing Audible books. However, there is no perfect app in the world. According to some Audible listeners, a crashing problem has happened to Audible recently. If you find the Audible app stops suddenly from time to time, you may get this Audible crashing problem. But no need to worry, since we will help you solve this Audible app crashing issue with 5 solutions. Just keep reading.

Audible stops playing when iPhone locks

Why Does Audible Keep Crashing?

Before we go to the first solution to fix Audible keeps crashing. Some of you might be interested in the reasons for this Audible crashing issue. Here are some possible reasons:

1. You do not have enough space on your phone for the normal running of the Audible app. Sometimes a single app can occupy most of the memory space.

2. The Audible app has a bug that causes Audible to stop.

3. The iOS or Android system has a bug that causes this crashing issue.

4. Unstable internet connection may lead to this problem as well.

How to Fix Audible App Crashing in 5 Ways

In this part, we will walk you through the best 5 solutions to solve this Audible app crashing problem. If you cannot fix this issue with the former 4 solutions, you can go to the solution 5 to change to another audio player to play Audible books.

Solution 1. Force Quit All the Running Apps and Check Storage

In this part, we will walk you through the best 5 solutions to solve this Audible app crashing problem. If you cannot fix this issue with the former 4 solutions, you can go to the solution 5 to change to another audio player to play Audible books.

On iOS

1. Open the App Switcher. To do this, you need to swipe up from the bottom to the middle on the iPhone with Face ID or double click the Home button on an iPhone without Face ID.

2. Swipe up all the apps to close all of them.

Audible stops playing when iPhone locks

On Android

1. You can swipe up from the bottom.

2. Swipe from left to right. On the left, tap the Clear all button.

You can also check the left storage of your device. Delete useless files and apps to release more space for the Audible app.

Solution 2. Restart Audible App and Device

Usually, a simple restarting will solve 90% of the problems in our daily life. It is worthwhile to try to fix this issue by restarting when your Audible app keeps crashing. But only to restart your Audible app is not enough. You need to give it a restart for both the Audible app and your device.

Solution 3. Update iOS/Android

Perhaps, your iOS or Android system is outdated, and Audible keeps crashing due to this outdated system. You need to check your system as soon as possible since that will probably cause any issues with your phone.

On iOS

1. When the Audible iPhone app crashing, just go to Settings > General > Software Update. From this screen, you will know whether you need to update iOS.

2. Follow the instructions to update iOS if an update is needed.

Audible stops playing when iPhone locks

On Android

1. Navigate to Settings > System > Advanced > System update.

2. See the Android version and Security patch level to check the Android version.

Solution 4. Reinstall Audible App

Another method to fix the Audible app keeps crashing is to uninstall and reinstall the Audible app. Noted that uninstalling will remove all the downloaded audiobooks and those marked as Finished. You need to download and mark them again after you reinstall the Audible app to your device.

On iOS

1. Tap and hold the Audible app icon. Click the X icon on the corner of the Audible app to delete it.

2. On the popping-up window, tap the Delete button.

3. Go to the App Store, find the Audible app, and install it again.

On Android

1. Go to the Google Play Store app and tap the profile icon.

2. Go to Manage apps & devices > Installed.

3. Tap the Uninstall button next to the Audible app.

4. Click the Install button next to the Audible app to install it.

Audible stops playing when iPhone locks

Solution 5. Use Other Players to Play Audible Audiobooks

If you still cannot fix the Audible app crashing, you can contact Audible via email, official website, or social media such as Twitter/Facebook/Instagram.

When you are waiting for the reaction of Audible, you can use other music players to play Audible books. But before you do that, you must convert Audible AA/AAX books to MP3, since other audio players do not support the AA or AAX formats. To convert Audible AA/AAX books, an Audible converter is needed. ViWizard Audible Converter is a leading Audible converter and it can convert Audible books to lossless, MP3, M4B, and more formats with incredibly 100X faster speed. All the ID3 tags will be kept for you, too.


Audible stops playing when iPhone locks

Adam Gorden is an experienced writer of ViWizard who is obsessed about tech, movie and software.

In the last day or so, my iPhone has started killing the audible app every time the screen locks. Doesn’t matter if playback is through ear pods or speakers. As soon as I unlock the screen it instantly starts playing again. No software updates done in last few weeks.

The books I listen to are downloaded to my device, so it’s not a data issue.

Any ideas?

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Apr 13, 2021 11:52 AM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

Hi Mendogirl,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand that you're having an issue with your Audible app after your update. We'd like to help.

Does this happen in all books in Audible or just a specific one? Have you had a chance to Restart your iPhone since this started? If not, that can be helpful. Then, check out these steps to try to get the app working again: If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won’t open

If you continue to have issues after that, reaching out to Audible will be a great next step: How to contact an app developer.

Hope that helps.

Take care!

Apr 13, 2021 11:52 AM

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Apr 20, 2021 6:26 AM in response to i_rina In response to i_rina

Happening to me as well. So far I’ve only noticed this w audible app and during night (literally night time - so I think it’s related to apples sleep schedule). Also audio does not stop when phone locks if phone is connected to a Bluetooth speaker.

Apr 20, 2021 6:26 AM

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Apr 20, 2021 9:07 AM in response to renat0 In response to renat0

I had some success fixing this problem by turning off all notifications (on all apps) and retbooting the iphone. Audible worked in all situations when screen locked (wired headphones, bluetooth). Then suddenly, it stopped working with the blue tooth in my car.

Apr 20, 2021 9:07 AM

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May 4, 2021 7:11 AM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

I'm having this problem too since updating to IOS 14.5. When going to sleep with the audible app on sleep timer the sound dies as soon as the screen goes to sleep but the app keeps playing. The only work around I have come up with is to force close the app then restart. Then restart the timer and manually close the screen with the right button. This allows the app to continue to play.

May 4, 2021 7:11 AM

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May 4, 2021 10:53 AM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

I deleted and downloaded the audible app which worked for a few days but now it’s doing it again.

May 4, 2021 10:53 AM

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May 4, 2021 5:06 PM in response to Franky888 In response to Franky888

It seems to inconsistent for me. It's working with headphones (wired) but not in my car when connected with a wire.

Thanks for sharing. Maybe a future update will fix this issue?

May 4, 2021 5:06 PM

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May 9, 2021 12:13 AM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

This is happening to me too & it’s driving me crazy

May 9, 2021 12:13 AM

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May 9, 2021 6:41 AM in response to Jo0001 In response to Jo0001

For me this happens when the App is running or in the background and I connect to a dock or start listening bluetooth. Until they fix this I do have a work around. Force close the app. Now you can connect either dock or headset. Once connected you can restart the app and it will continue to work when the screen goes to sleep.

May 9, 2021 6:41 AM

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May 13, 2021 10:08 PM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

How can this be move from level 1 to level extremely annoying and must be fixed ASAP?

May 13, 2021 10:08 PM

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May 16, 2021 12:22 PM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

I updated my Audible app (May 4 version) and that seemed to work on my iPhone.

May 16, 2021 12:22 PM

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May 18, 2021 10:04 AM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

Use mendogirl’s workaround. Restart the app and set your sleep timer. I set mine to “end of chapter”.

May 18, 2021 10:04 AM

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May 18, 2021 8:25 PM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

I was having the same problem. Had to finally go to the Audible player settings and “Disable auto-lock”. This solved the problem but eats up my iPhone battery.

May 18, 2021 8:25 PM

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May 18, 2021 9:28 PM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

I thought I had a resolution by disabling auto-lock but decided to write to Audible since I didn’t think this was a viable long-term solution. They replied immediately and gave me long and detailed instructions to correct this problem. I encourage anyone who is experiencing these problems to reach out to them. I was extremely happy with their response.

May 18, 2021 9:28 PM

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May 19, 2021 2:07 AM in response to Schatzie2 In response to Schatzie2

Can you please share their advice as different customer support can give different answers.

glad it worked for you.

May 19, 2021 2:07 AM

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May 23, 2021 4:16 AM in response to Mendogirl In response to Mendogirl

I have had the same issue and was able to bypass it by going to settings/Audible. Turn OFF Allow Audible to Access Media & Apple Music. Restart your audible app and now you can turn off you screen and use audible the same way as before the update.

May 23, 2021 4:16 AM

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