6 답변2026-07-15 09:38:13
One minor gripe with Libby: if you listen to a book, return it, and then borrow it again months later, it does remember your old progress and asks if you want to resume. That's good! But sometimes I want to start over, and it's a little stubborn about asking. A tiny interface quibble.
7 답변2026-07-15 02:05:52
For those with a Plex Media Server already running: the PlexAmp app! It's primarily for music, but if you add your audiobooks to your Plex music library (organized properly with metadata), PlexAmp can play them.
And the killer feature is 'Plex Dash' or now built-in tracking—your play progress syncs across any device running PlexAmp because it's all tracked by the Plex server. You need a Plex Pass for PlexAmp, so it's not free, but if you already have a Plex server and a Plex Pass for other reasons, this is a seamless solution. The interface is gorgeous, and the sonic analysis features are cool bonuses.
3 답변2026-07-15 20:06:45
I'm a bit skeptical of some of these 'free' apps that require a library card. It's free at the point of use, sure, but it's subsidized. I prefer truly free apps like Loyal Books or the LibriVox app, where the content is public domain and the app is supported by donations or ads. Their sync features are getting better, as mentioned earlier.
It's a philosophical preference. I like knowing the authors and narrators of the works I'm listening to were paid at some point (for public domain) and I'm not relying on a system that might be defunded. The sync might be a bit less polished, but it feels more sustainable to me.
5 답변2025-11-06 05:16:20
so I can say with confidence that yes — a free audiobooks app can sync across devices, but it depends on how the app is built and what sources you're using.
Some free apps that connect to library services (like the one people use to borrow from local libraries) keep your place, bookmarks, and loans synchronized as long as you log in with the same account. The trick is that the sync happens on the app's servers: you sign into the same profile on both devices, and the app uploads your playback position and notes. Other totally free solutions that play downloaded MP3s often store progress locally, so they won’t magically sync unless you pair them with cloud storage or a player that supports cloud-synced metadata.
In practice my workflow is simple: pick a free app that explicitly lists cross-device syncing in its settings, make an account, turn on sync, and test on Wi‑Fi. Expect limits — offline files might not update until you reconnect, DRM-protected titles won’t work outside the app, and different platforms sometimes behave a little differently. Still, for casual listening and library loans, free apps with account-based sync work really well and keep me moving through books without losing my spot.
3 답변2026-07-15 13:54:06
I'm just here waiting to see if anyone mentions a magic app I haven't heard of. My Libby holds are all 8 weeks out, and I'm bored. Sync is cool, but content is king. Anyone have any hidden gem audiobook recommendations? I like weird horror and detailed historical fiction.
4 답변2026-07-15 22:12:18
Apple Books does this seamlessly if you're in the Apple ecosystem. You can add your own audiobook files (like from CDs or other sources) to the Books app on a Mac, and they'll sync via iCloud to your iPhone and iPad, complete with progress. For purchased audiobooks from Apple, it's obviously automatic. It's not cross-platform to Android, but for iPhone+iPad users, it's built-in and free beyond the cost of the hardware.
3 답변2026-07-15 11:20:15
Check if your university or workplace offers a subscription to services like OverDrive or Hoopla. The sync feature works the same as the public library versions. My alma mater gives alumni access, so I have two library cards in Libby, doubling my borrowing power.
The sync handles multiple accounts gracefully; it just asks which library you borrowed the book from when you open it. It's the same reliable, free syncing engine, just accessed through a different membership avenue people often forget exists.
3 답변2025-05-23 23:46:41
one thing I constantly look for is seamless syncing across devices. Most free audiobook apps do offer this feature, but with limitations. Apps like 'Libby' by OverDrive, which links to your library card, sync your progress between phone and tablet beautifully. 'Hoopla' is another solid option, though their selection varies by library. Even 'Spotify' now has audiobooks in some regions, and their syncing is decent if you have Premium. The catch is that free apps often require an internet connection to sync, unlike paid services like 'Audible' which store progress offline. Some lesser-known apps like 'Librivox' for public domain books don’t sync at all, so it’s hit or miss. If cross-device syncing is a must, stick to the bigger names or check app reviews before diving in.
3 답변2026-07-15 16:05:07
I wonder if any of these apps have a 'family sharing' feature for sync? Like, if my spouse and I are listening to the same book on our own devices, can we share progress? That would be next-level. I think most sync is per-account, not per-book. Might be a privacy thing.