Your Kindle Fire comes pre-loaded with the Audible app, which you can use to browse, download and listen to Audible audiobooks on your Fire tablet. You’ll need a (free) Audible account, because the app keeps track of your audiobooks with a My Library feature, but don’t worry: if you don’t already have an Audible account you can create one from within the app. Here’s an overview of the basics to get you started with Audible.
1. Open the Audible App / Tap The Audiobooks Link
On a first-generation Fire, you’ll find the Audible app on the Apps menu. If it’s been deleted, just search for “Audible” on the apps tab to locate and download the latest version. Tap the Audible app icon to open the program. On a second-generation (e.g., released in 2012, whether HD or not) Fire, the app is built right into the operating system. Just tap the Audiobooks link on the main menu ribbon at the top of your Fire’s screen.
2. Follow the prompts to either sign in (if already an Audible member) or to create your Audible account.
If you indicate that you’re not already a member, you’ll be prompted to create an account. Otherwise, sign in to access your Audible My Library shelf. Your most recently-accessed content will be displayed first, but you can also access content classified under the Last Month and Last Year menu links. By default, none of your My Library content will be downloaded to your Fire Device.
3. Shop for, or download, desired Audible content
If you’re a new Audible member, within the Audible app, tap the menu icon (icon looks like a document page) at the bottom of the screen and then tap the Shop (shopping cart) icon at the far left to open the Audible store.
If you’re already an Audible member, in the My Library screen of the Audible app, tap the download (downward pointing arrow) icon to the right of the book you’d like to listen to on your Fire. Wait till the download completes, then tap the book cover image to open the book’s detail page. From there, you can view a description of the book and play it. The book will begin to play and the usual onscreen controls (play, pause, etc.) will be provided.
That’s enough to get you started, but Audible has also created a free Audible Application User Guide, and provides an FAQ about Audible on the Kindle Fire on their site. For those who are not yet using Audible, here’s a special offer for new members:
This offer will start you on a free, 30-day trial of an Audible Gold membership plan, which gives you one credit per 30 days—the great majority of Audible audiobooks, even current bestsellers, only “cost” one member credit. If you decide to remain a member at the end of the 30 day trial period, you’ll be billed $7.95 per month for the first three months, then your monthly fee will adjust to $14.95. At the end of those three months, or at any time after the initial, 30-day trial, you can upgrade to a Platinum membership, which gives you 2 member credits each month for $23 per month (that’s just $11.50 per book).
I’ve been an Audible member since 2001. That’s a LOT of Audio books. I started with 1 book a month now up to a Premium (2 books) a month. I got my Kindle Fire right after it was released and I think it’s great for listening to audio books with… much easier when I have it with me anyway. I can multitask and listen to audio books while I read and it doesn’t interfere when I have to answer my phone (which sometimes happened if I used the Audible app on my smartphone).
I joined Audible free trial last night. I have tried everything per instructions in order to hear the book. Nothing worked. I am frustrated. I have a Kindle HD 10 and though I would enjoy it.