Yes, you can change the narrator voice on most Audible books
Audible lets you switch between different narrators for the same book on most titles. Not every book has multiple versions — some are narrated by only one person — but thousands do. When alternatives exist, you can jump between them without losing your place or paying extra.
The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using the Audible app on your phone, tablet, or the web player on a computer. In all cases, the option appears while you're actively listening to a book.
Key Takeaways
- You can only switch narrators while a book is playing; the option does not appear on the book's main page.
- On the phone or tablet app, tap the three-dot menu during playback and select "Change Narrator" if the option is available.
- On the web player, look for the narrator's name near the play controls and click it to see other versions.
- Switching narrators does not reset your progress — you stay at the same spot in the book.
- Not all books have multiple narrators, so the option may not appear for every title you listen to.
How to switch narrators on the Audible mobile app
Open the book you're listening to and start playback. Once the audio is playing, tap the three-dot menu icon (usually in the top right corner of the screen). A menu will appear with several options.
Look for "Change Narrator" in that menu. If the option is there, tap it. Audible will show you all available narrator versions for that book. Select the narrator you want to hear, and the app will begin playing from your current location with the new voice.
If you don't see "Change Narrator" in the menu, that book has only one narrator version available. You cannot create or add narrators yourself — you can only switch between versions Audible already offers.
How to switch narrators on the Audible web player
Log into your Audible account on a computer and open the book you want to listen to. Start playback by clicking the play button.
Look at the playback controls. Near the play button, you should see the current narrator's name displayed. Click on that name. A dropdown menu will appear showing all available narrator versions for this book. Click the narrator you want to switch to, and playback will continue from where you left off with the new voice.
What happens to your progress when you change narrators
Your bookmark and listening position stay exactly where they were. If you were 3 hours and 45 minutes into a book when you switch narrators, playback resumes at 3 hours and 45 minutes with the new voice. You do not lose your place, and you do not have to restart the chapter or section.
This means you can experiment with different narrators without any penalty. If you don't like the new voice after a few minutes, switch back to the original narrator and you'll still be at the same spot.
Why some books have multiple narrators and others don't
Audible publishes different narrator versions of the same book when publishers or authors choose to record multiple versions. This is common for popular fiction, memoirs, and self-help books. Some books are recorded by a single professional narrator, while others might have a version read by the author themselves, or by a different voice actor entirely.
Older titles, niche books, and books published by smaller presses are more likely to have only one narrator version. There's no way to request that Audible create a second narrator version of a book — you can only choose from versions that already exist in the catalog.
How to learn about a book has multiple narrators before you start listening
Go to the book's main page on Audible (either on the app or the website). Scroll down to the details section where it lists the narrator's name. If multiple narrator versions are available, you'll see a note like "Also available narrated by [other narrator name]" or a link that says "See all versions." Click that link to see every narrator option for that book.
This is the only place you can browse narrator options before you start listening. Once you begin playback, you can switch narrators using the method described above, but the book's main page is where you preview what's available.
Troubleshooting: the "Change Narrator" option isn't appearing
If you're looking for the "Change Narrator" option and it's not in your menu, the most common reason is that the book has only one narrator version. Double-check the book's main page to confirm whether alternatives exist.
If the book's page shows multiple narrators but the option still won't appear during playback, try closing and reopening the app, or logging out and back in. Occasionally a sync delay prevents the menu from showing up when ready. If the problem persists after restarting, contact Audible support — this is rare, but a technical issue on your account could prevent the feature from working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay extra to switch to a different narrator?
No. Switching between narrator versions costs nothing. You use the same credit or subscription to listen to any narrator version of a book you own. There are no additional fees or charges for changing voices.
If I switch narrators halfway through a book, will I hear the new narrator from the beginning?
No. You'll hear the new narrator starting from exactly where you left off. If you want to hear the new narrator from the beginning, you would need to manually rewind to the start of the book after switching.
Can I listen to different narrator versions of the same book on different devices?
Yes. Your progress syncs across devices, but you can choose different narrators on each device. For example, you could listen to one narrator on your phone and switch to a different narrator on your tablet — your bookmarks and position will stay synchronized.
What if I prefer one narrator but the book has a version read by the author?
You can stick with the professional narrator. Author-read versions are optional, not required. Choose whichever narrator you enjoy most — Audible doesn't push you toward the author version.