I Threw Away Audible’s App, and Now I Self-Host My Audiobooks

Tired of the endless app bugs and DRM restrictions of Audible, Ars Technica's Lee Hutchinson took matters into his own hands by setting up Audiobookshelf, a self-hosted audiobook and podcast server. After his wife's Audible app stopped working—leaving her staring at a spinning loading icon forever—he switched to Audiobookshelf, which he runs on a local server. With a library of over 300 audiobooks, Hutchinson describes the process of self-hosting, addressing DRM challenges, and the flexibility gained by moving away from proprietary platforms. If you've ever been frustrated by Audible’s limitations, this might be the perfect solution!

Key Points:

• Problem with Audible: Frequent app malfunctions left Hutchinson’s wife unable to access her books. Standard troubleshooting didn't help, and Amazon/Audible remained silent.

• Solution – Audiobookshelf: A self-hosted server for audiobooks and podcasts that works efficiently and provides complete control over one's library.

• Setup Requirements: Audiobookshelf runs on Windows or Linux, can be installed via Docker, and needs minimal resources (~150MB RAM idle).

• Importing Audiobooks: The server supports metadata tagging, manual file organization, and batch importing with reliable categorization.

• Biggest Challenge – DRM:

  • Audible and other paid sources embed DRM in files (.AAX), preventing playback on third-party apps.
  • DRM removal is legally questionable—it’s allowed in some European countries but not in the U.S.

• Listening Options:

  • Official Audiobookshelf mobile app for Android.
  • iOS users must use TestFlight, or alternative apps like Plappa (a recommended choice).

• Remote Access: A VPN solution (e.g., Wireguard) enables listening outside the local network, minimizing reliance on cloud services.

• Extra Features: Supports multiple libraries, individual user accounts, RSS, and podcast hosting.

• Final Verdict: A rewarding self-hosting project that replaces Audible’s frustrations with a private, reliable solution for audiobook lovers.

If you've ever felt trapped by Audible's buggy app or DRM restrictions, self-hosting with Audiobookshelf may be the escape you need! 🚀📖🔥
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