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Q&A for power users of Apple hardware and software

Latest Questions

3 votes
2 answers
54 views
How to get 3rd-party audiobooks off an iPad?
I have a collection of audio seminars which I loaded into Apple's Books.app so I could manage and listen to them as audiobooks. I did this long enough ago that I don't remember how I did it, or what computer I was using at the time. I've just realized that they are not syncing with any of my other d...
I have a collection of audio seminars which I loaded into Apple's Books.app so I could manage and listen to them as audiobooks. I did this long enough ago that I don't remember how I did it, or what computer I was using at the time. I've just realized that they are not syncing with any of my other devices. These were not purchased from Apple, so I can't just restore purchases on them. - I made sure that "Books" was included in "Apps that sync with iCloud" on both devices - I look at the "Sync audiobooks" option in Finder, but that wants to erase all of the books on the iPad (yay super useful, that) - I checked the "Files" tab for the iPad in Finder, but Books isn't listed there - I tried various share sheet options but it only sends the title, not the audio Does anyone have any ideas on how to get at these files? My bad for not having them properly backed up somewhere else, of course, but at one point they were syncing from my (long gone) iTunes collection.
starkos (161 rep)
Dec 8, 2023, 06:33 PM • Last activity: Jun 4, 2025, 02:03 PM
3 votes
1 answers
3100 views
How to edit m4b audiobook metadata in Catalina?
In Catalina it is not possible to edit audiobook metadata anymore as it was possible using iTunes in previous macOS versions. I tried a third-party tag editor ([kid3][1]), successfully edited the audiobook metadata, but still, when I import the audiobook into the Books app, the metadata is wrong. Wh...
In Catalina it is not possible to edit audiobook metadata anymore as it was possible using iTunes in previous macOS versions. I tried a third-party tag editor (kid3 ), successfully edited the audiobook metadata, but still, when I import the audiobook into the Books app, the metadata is wrong. What could possibly be going on, is there anyway I can work around this issue?
Ariel (223 rep)
Jan 24, 2020, 09:50 AM • Last activity: May 29, 2025, 09:09 PM
0 votes
1 answers
157 views
What is the difference of adding an audiobook to iTunes or Books app?
What is the difference of adding an audiobook to iTunes or Books app ? As far as I can see, adding to iTunes (Music) I can find (easily) the file location with "Show in Finder" context menu. But adding to Books I can not find the file location any more. I can't figure out why Book design it this way...
What is the difference of adding an audiobook to iTunes or Books app ? As far as I can see, adding to iTunes (Music) I can find (easily) the file location with "Show in Finder" context menu. But adding to Books I can not find the file location any more. I can't figure out why Book design it this way. I remember for the old version of Music I can set media kind to other than music. But now (probably since MacOS 14) I can only set it to music. media kind
Qiulang 邱朗 (879 rep)
Sep 20, 2024, 06:37 AM • Last activity: Sep 24, 2024, 11:46 AM
0 votes
2 answers
418 views
iOS app for simultaneous reading and listening to a (audio) book
**I'd like to read books in a foreign language while listening to its Audiobook version. Is there an app that can do that?** Notes: * This is what Amazon calls **Immersive Reading**. It's available on their Kindle Fire tablets. * A plus would be if I could tap a word to see its translation. * It doe...
**I'd like to read books in a foreign language while listening to its Audiobook version. Is there an app that can do that?** Notes: * This is what Amazon calls **Immersive Reading**. It's available on their Kindle Fire tablets. * A plus would be if I could tap a word to see its translation. * It does not so much matter what books are available. I'm happy as long as there are some Public Domain books.
Jonas Sourlier (285 rep)
May 3, 2015, 11:30 AM • Last activity: Jan 7, 2024, 04:11 AM
3 votes
0 answers
213 views
How to remove "ghost audiobooks" from Finder to iPhone synchronization list
Every time I sync my audiobooks via Finder with my iPhone I get a warning about some files missing. It's caused by 2 audiobooks which doesn't even exist anymore (probably had them in the past but not anymore). In Books app there're no such records except the last one. What should I do to remove them...
Every time I sync my audiobooks via Finder with my iPhone I get a warning about some files missing. It's caused by 2 audiobooks which doesn't even exist anymore (probably had them in the past but not anymore). In Books app there're no such records except the last one. What should I do to remove them from sync list? Apple support spent 1 hour on this and told me nothing can be done :) There's no iTunes anymore and they were added by iTunes I believe. Their records need to be hidden somewhere in old iTunes related data. enter image description here
koras (243 rep)
Oct 20, 2022, 06:37 PM
0 votes
0 answers
716 views
Download a purchased audiobook in Books as a local audio file?
I've purchased an audiobook in Apple's Books app on MacOS. I noticed it says "download" but apparently that just means downloading within the Books app, so I can listen there. However I'd like to download it as a stand-alone audio file so I can also listen it in other apps or players. Is there a way...
I've purchased an audiobook in Apple's Books app on MacOS. I noticed it says "download" but apparently that just means downloading within the Books app, so I can listen there. However I'd like to download it as a stand-alone audio file so I can also listen it in other apps or players. Is there a way to do this? Or can I see how or where Books has stored or cached the local version of the audiobook? Any format like MP3, AAC, etc is all fine for me. If relevant, I'm using Books v2.4 on MacOS Catalina 10.15. P.S. note that I don't use iTunes, just Books.
RocketNuts (1529 rep)
Aug 13, 2022, 05:30 AM
0 votes
1 answers
1661 views
Is there a way to correctly set "media kind" in Apple Music 1.2.4.3?
I just bit the bullet and updated my Mac OS from 10.14.6 to Monterey 12.4. Importing my old iTunes library from the xml file worked fine...mostly. The problem is, I had a ton of TV shows, movies, and audiobooks. In the old iTunes, they were all correctly tagged with the proper media type. In the new...
I just bit the bullet and updated my Mac OS from 10.14.6 to Monterey 12.4. Importing my old iTunes library from the xml file worked fine...mostly. The problem is, I had a ton of TV shows, movies, and audiobooks. In the old iTunes, they were all correctly tagged with the proper media type. In the new "Music" app, when I go to "get info" and find the "media type" dropdown, there is exactly one entry that I can select. It's either "music" or "music video" depending if the selected item is an audio file or a video file. Needless to say this is a MAJOR regression, and also makes shuffle completely unusable as it will shuffle in all tracks from all audiobooks along with all songs. How can I fix this? Is my only option to delete all the audiobooks and non-music videos from my "Music" app library? Or is there some hack I can use to correctly identify non-music media files while still having everything in the one app like the old iTunes app? Incidentally I also haven't yet attempted to sync my iPod Touch (last generation) with my computer; I don't know how that will go. Links or advice welcome on this point. Not the end of the world if I can't sync TV shows, movies and audiobooks to it anymore, but it will probably push me away from Apple devices for the future.
Wildcard (1242 rep)
Jul 13, 2022, 09:24 AM • Last activity: Aug 7, 2022, 10:41 PM
5 votes
1 answers
11981 views
Convert multiple .mp3 files (or single .m4a) into .m4b with ffmpeg and afconvert on macOS
I'm using macOS and have a set of .mp3 files that represent the chapters of an audiobook. I want to combine them into a single .m4b file. How can I do this from command line without significantly increasing file size?
I'm using macOS and have a set of .mp3 files that represent the chapters of an audiobook. I want to combine them into a single .m4b file. How can I do this from command line without significantly increasing file size?
TabsNotSpaces (201 rep)
Aug 22, 2021, 08:13 PM • Last activity: Mar 5, 2022, 08:02 AM
1 votes
1 answers
2961 views
How to convert Audible AAX file audiobook M4B on a Mac using Terminal
How do you convert Audible AAX files to M4B audiobooks
How do you convert Audible AAX files to M4B audiobooks
Seth B (186 rep)
May 5, 2020, 04:57 PM • Last activity: Sep 22, 2021, 08:06 PM
3 votes
5 answers
4172 views
Is there a way to sort audio by file name in the music app on iOS 5?
I got an MP3 audiobook download for Christmas. The downloaded and unzipped files are named in this manner: - 01 Prologue.mp3 - 02 Chapter 1 - Don't start yappin.mp3 - 03 Chapter 2 - Stack Exchangin your way to success.mp3 - 04 Chapter 3 - Don't eat that Unicorn meat and three other warnings.mp3 - 05...
I got an MP3 audiobook download for Christmas. The downloaded and unzipped files are named in this manner: - 01 Prologue.mp3 - 02 Chapter 1 - Don't start yappin.mp3 - 03 Chapter 2 - Stack Exchangin your way to success.mp3 - 04 Chapter 3 - Don't eat that Unicorn meat and three other warnings.mp3 - 05 Epilogue.mp3 After syncing them to my iPhone and opening the music app I saw that they are displayed in alphabetical order by title: - Don't eat that Unicorn meat and three other warnings. - Don't start yappin'! - Epilogue - Stack Exchangin' your way to success. - Prologue Listening in the order they're presented in while I'm driving is bizarre. Is there a way to sort audio by file name in the music app on iOS 5?
Kalamane (847 rep)
Dec 30, 2011, 03:08 PM • Last activity: Jun 15, 2021, 03:35 PM
1 votes
4 answers
7190 views
How do I merge tracks from audiobooks so they are one file instead of 100 separate tracks?
Some of my audiobooks download as 1 7-hour long track. Others are in iTunes as 50-100 separate tracks (that sometime get out of order). I would like to merge the tracks so each audiobook appears as one long file/track. How do I do this?
Some of my audiobooks download as 1 7-hour long track. Others are in iTunes as 50-100 separate tracks (that sometime get out of order). I would like to merge the tracks so each audiobook appears as one long file/track. How do I do this?
Sizzle (1439 rep)
Nov 29, 2016, 02:48 PM • Last activity: Mar 4, 2021, 02:50 PM
0 votes
0 answers
131 views
Audio Books not playable on iPhone
I have several audio books on my PC that are in .mp3 format. I imported them through iTunes and changed the type to audio books. I then right clicked on the audio book files and chose add to device->iPhone. When I do a sync I can see it transferring the file but when I try to play the using Apple Bo...
I have several audio books on my PC that are in .mp3 format. I imported them through iTunes and changed the type to audio books. I then right clicked on the audio book files and chose add to device->iPhone. When I do a sync I can see it transferring the file but when I try to play the using Apple Books some of them just blink once when I click play and don't play and some play fine.
Paul (141 rep)
Aug 16, 2020, 01:28 PM
3 votes
1 answers
2775 views
How can I listen to my mp3 audiobooks on iPhone?
I have a collection of seminars recorded as mp3. In iTunes, I marked them as audiobooks. I have an Apple music account, so I can access my music library through iCloud, including those I recorded myself or ripped from my CDs. My audiobooks do not show up on the iCloud and I cannot access them on my...
I have a collection of seminars recorded as mp3. In iTunes, I marked them as audiobooks. I have an Apple music account, so I can access my music library through iCloud, including those I recorded myself or ripped from my CDs. My audiobooks do not show up on the iCloud and I cannot access them on my iPhone (iOS 12.3.1). I do not see them in the Music app, I do not see them in the Books app -although it has an audiobooks section. I found some 3rd party apps on the store that play mp3 audiobooks, but I'd prefer using the Books or Music app. Is there a way to do this? If so, how? Note: I asked this question in Apple Communities but it did not attract much attention.
turzifer (155 rep)
Sep 10, 2019, 12:23 PM • Last activity: May 10, 2020, 04:26 PM
3 votes
1 answers
1851 views
Use an old iPhone 6 just for audiobooks - Cannot transfer file from iTunes to iPhone
I have an iPhone 6 that I want to use for one purpose: listen to audiobooks. When I connect the iPhone to iTunes on my PC, I can see the iPhone. But when I try to drag-and-drop an audiobook onto the phone, nothing happens (not even a "prohibited") warning. - The iTunes version is current (12.8). - i...
I have an iPhone 6 that I want to use for one purpose: listen to audiobooks. When I connect the iPhone to iTunes on my PC, I can see the iPhone. But when I try to drag-and-drop an audiobook onto the phone, nothing happens (not even a "prohibited") warning. - The iTunes version is current (12.8). - iTunes is set for manual synching. - The iPhone has enough space for an audiobook or books. - The iPhone does not have a SIM card. What can I do to transfer an audiobook file to the iPhone?
RJo (481 rep)
Aug 23, 2018, 07:32 PM • Last activity: May 10, 2020, 04:20 PM
0 votes
0 answers
33 views
Listen to my audiobooks on iphone6 that are not bought from itunes
Total Apple noob here. I have a macbook running yosemite 10.10.5 and an iphone six. I have some audiobooks in mp3 format on the macbook. How can I listen to these audiobooks on the iphone? -I plug my iphone into the macbook.....it does not show up in finder -it does show up in itunes. I dragged and...
Total Apple noob here. I have a macbook running yosemite 10.10.5 and an iphone six. I have some audiobooks in mp3 format on the macbook. How can I listen to these audiobooks on the iphone? -I plug my iphone into the macbook.....it does not show up in finder -it does show up in itunes. I dragged and dropped the mp3s into my iphones audiobooks folder in itunes. It transfers, and when done, the audiobooks library is still empty. When I use the files app on my phone it says I still have 0 files. The audiobooks then show up in my music library, and can only be accessed from apple music app (which does not play audiobooks well). -The audiobook files do not show up on my files system on the iphone when I try to access them with third party audio book apps. How can I achieve this?
Scorb (173 rep)
May 10, 2020, 03:21 PM • Last activity: May 10, 2020, 03:34 PM
1 votes
1 answers
5277 views
iOS: How do I transfer a mp3 from Google Drive to iBooks?
I have an mp3 audiobook on Google Drive that I want to listen to in iBooks on my iPhone. How can I transfer/copy/open that file from the Google Drive app on the iBooks app?
I have an mp3 audiobook on Google Drive that I want to listen to in iBooks on my iPhone. How can I transfer/copy/open that file from the Google Drive app on the iBooks app?
Winston (11 rep)
Aug 4, 2017, 01:32 AM • Last activity: Apr 15, 2020, 11:00 PM
3 votes
1 answers
818 views
Make iTunes recognize MP3 audiobooks with ID3 tag
Apple iTunes recognizes and categorizes MP4 audio files (preferably with an `.m4b` extension, not `.m4a` nor `.mp4`) correctly as audiobooks if the tag field `stik` _MediaType_ is set to `2` for `Audiobook`. I shall assume that its successors, i. e. Music, Podcasts and TV, do so as well. Classic MP3...
Apple iTunes recognizes and categorizes MP4 audio files (preferably with an .m4b extension, not .m4a nor .mp4) correctly as audiobooks if the tag field stik _MediaType_ is set to 2 for Audiobook. I shall assume that its successors, i. e. Music, Podcasts and TV, do so as well. Classic MP3 files, however, use a different metadata tag format: [ID3](http://id3.org/id3v2.4.0-frames) , which has no official, documented way to mark a file as an audiobook. (One can use any string for TCON _content type_, usually labeled _genre_, but that does not seem to matter to iTunes.) The kind of audio can manually be set in the iTunes GUI, but this will apparently not add or change the ID3 tag in any way, instead just update the database entry and possibly file location. This has been documented many times on the web, as has converting the MP3 into an AAC MP4. - Is there any way to **tag an MP3** file in such a way that **Apple audio players/managers will import it as an audiobook** without manual correction? As an alternative, Iʼm considering to put a remuxed MP3 audio stream (i.e. not reencoded with AAC) into an MP4 container (v2, i.e. MPEG-4 Part 14, .m4b file extension), but I donʼt know yet whether Apple supports them correctly. MP3s can also use different tag formats, e.g. [APE](http://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.php?title=APE_key) from Monkey's Audio, but as far as I know none are recognized by iTunes.
Crissov (894 rep)
Oct 10, 2019, 09:57 PM • Last activity: Mar 25, 2020, 10:12 AM
0 votes
1 answers
338 views
Audible books on iTunes
I'm running sierra os and want to listen to my audible audiobooks on itunes. The audible website says that I don't need any additional software for Mac: > Mac users using iTunes do not need to download any additional > software. Audible files will download directly into iTunes. When I go to an audio...
I'm running sierra os and want to listen to my audible audiobooks on itunes. The audible website says that I don't need any additional software for Mac: > Mac users using iTunes do not need to download any additional > software. Audible files will download directly into iTunes. When I go to an audiobook section of my itunes I can't see anything. How do I import the audiobooks? I've downloaded them to the computer.
Wasteland (127 rep)
Nov 9, 2016, 08:17 PM • Last activity: Feb 2, 2020, 05:25 AM
0 votes
1 answers
146 views
How do I transfer audiobooks from iPod Touch to iTunes?
I have an older iPod Touch (Model MC547LL/A) with audiobooks purchased from iTunes. The iTunes Store won't let me re-download the audiobooks and I don't have a backup. How can I transfer the audiobooks from my iPod Touch to my iTunes library?
I have an older iPod Touch (Model MC547LL/A) with audiobooks purchased from iTunes. The iTunes Store won't let me re-download the audiobooks and I don't have a backup. How can I transfer the audiobooks from my iPod Touch to my iTunes library?
Linda (21 rep)
Nov 14, 2019, 05:14 PM • Last activity: Nov 21, 2019, 09:17 PM
1 votes
2 answers
1195 views
How do I add an audio book to my iPhone?
I tried to add a `mp4` and `m4a` and `mp3` file to iTunes while viewing Audiobooks tab but it would not add the file. How do I add an audio book to my iPhone? iTunes Version 12.10.1.4
I tried to add a mp4 and m4a and mp3 file to iTunes while viewing Audiobooks tab but it would not add the file. How do I add an audio book to my iPhone? iTunes Version 12.10.1.4
Chloe (1713 rep)
Oct 25, 2019, 06:21 PM • Last activity: Oct 25, 2019, 08:01 PM
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