Confused about pausing or canceling your Audible membership? Choosing the right option is crucial for managing your account without losing your audiobooks or credits. This guide breaks down the key differences, helping you decide whether to take a temporary break or end your subscription for good. This ensures you make the best choice for your listening habits and wallet.
What Happens When You Pause Your Audible Membership?
The pause feature is Audible’s flexible solution for when you need a short break. It allows you to temporarily suspend your monthly or annual membership without closing your account entirely.
This is an ideal option if you have a backlog of audiobooks to get through or if you’ll be too busy to listen for a while. You can typically pause your account for a period of up to three months. During this time, your account is essentially on hold.
When your membership is paused, several things happen:
- You will not be charged your monthly membership fee.
- All of your existing credits will be saved and will not expire.
- You will not receive any new credits during the pause period.
However, it’s important to remember that while paused, you temporarily lose access to other membership benefits. This includes the Audible Plus Catalog, exclusive member-only sales, and special discounts. Once the pause period ends, your membership and billing will automatically resume.
The Consequences of Canceling Your Audible Subscription
Canceling your Audible membership is a more permanent decision with significant consequences. Unlike pausing, which is a temporary hold, cancellation terminates your subscription and its associated benefits immediately.
The most critical consequence is the loss of any unused credits. If you have credits saved up in your account, they will be forfeited the moment you cancel. This is a major factor to consider, as each credit represents a purchased audiobook.
Furthermore, canceling means you lose access to all the perks of being an Audible member. You will no longer be able to browse the Audible Plus Catalog for free listening, nor will you get access to exclusive member-only sales and discounts on audiobook purchases. After cancellation, any new audiobooks you want must be purchased at the full retail price, which is often significantly higher.
While you will still have access to the audiobooks you previously purchased with a credit or cash, all other membership advantages disappear.
How to Pause Your Audible Account Step-by-Step
Pausing your Audible membership is a simple process that can be done directly from the Audible website. It only takes a few minutes to put your account on hold and save your credits for later.
Follow these steps to successfully pause your subscription:
- Sign in to your Audible account on their official website.
- Navigate to your “Account Details” page by clicking on your name.
- In the membership section, find and select the “Pause Membership” option.
- Follow the on-screen prompts, where you will be asked to choose the duration of the pause (typically one, two, or three months).
- Confirm your choice to finalize the pause. Your membership will now be suspended for the selected period.
How to Cancel Your Audible Membership for Good
If you’ve decided that Audible is no longer for you, canceling your membership is also a straightforward process. Before you proceed, make sure you have used all of your remaining credits, as they will be lost once you finalize the cancellation.
You can end your subscription by following these instructions:
- Log in to your account on the Audible website.
- Go to your “Account Details” section.
- Under your membership information, click on “Cancel membership.”
- Audible will guide you through a series of prompts and may offer you an incentive to stay. If you still wish to cancel, continue to follow the instructions.
- Confirm your decision on the final page to officially terminate your subscription.
Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email, and your billing will stop immediately.
Pause vs. Cancel: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Understanding the exact differences between pausing and canceling can help you make a smart decision that protects your account and your purchases. Both actions stop your payments, but they impact your account in very different ways.
The table below breaks down the key distinctions between the two options.
| Feature | Pause | Cancel |
|---|---|---|
| Unused Credits | Kept and remain valid | Lost immediately |
| Access to Purchased Library | Yes, you can listen to books you own | Yes, you can listen to books you own |
| Access to Plus Catalog | No, access is suspended | No, access is terminated |
| Monthly Billing | Temporarily stopped | Permanently stopped |
| Resuming Membership | Resumes automatically after pause ends | Requires starting a brand new membership |
As you can see, pausing is a temporary measure designed for short breaks, while canceling is a final action for those who no longer wish to use the service.
When Should You Pause Instead of Cancel?
Deciding between pausing and canceling really comes down to your future listening plans. Your choice should align with your personal needs and financial situation to avoid any unwanted surprises.
Choose to pause your membership if you are in a temporary situation. This could mean you’re going on a long vacation, are too busy with work or school, or simply have a large backlog of audiobooks to listen to. Pausing is the perfect way to save money for a few months without losing the credits you’ve already paid for. It’s built for users who fully intend to return to the service.
On the other hand, you should cancel your subscription if you are sure you won’t be using Audible for the foreseeable future. If the service no longer fits into your budget or lifestyle, canceling is the most practical choice. Just be absolutely certain you’ve used any remaining credits before you make it final.
Frequently Asked Questions about Managing Your Audible Subscription
What happens to my purchased audiobooks if I cancel Audible?
You will always keep the audiobooks you have purchased with credits or money. They are yours to keep and listen to forever, even after you cancel your membership.
How long can I pause my Audible account for?
Typically, Audible allows you to pause your membership for one, two, or three months. The pause option is usually available once every 12 months.
Can I use my credits while my Audible account is paused?
No, you cannot use your credits to purchase new audiobooks while your membership is on pause. However, your credits will be waiting for you and will be available to use as soon as your membership resumes.
Is it better to pause or cancel Audible if I have too many credits?
If you have a stockpile of credits, pausing is almost always the better option. Pausing allows you to stop paying the monthly fee while you catch up on your listening, and most importantly, it protects your credits from being lost.
Do I lose access to the Audible Plus Catalog if I pause?
Yes, access to the Audible Plus Catalog is a membership benefit. When you pause your membership, your access to this catalog of free-to-stream titles is temporarily suspended until your membership becomes active again.
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