Absorb - for Audiobookshelf

Absorb - for Audiobookshelf

by Nathan Poulson

172 ratings
39 reviews
Free

Details

Released
May 5, 2026
Updated
October 21, 2026

Features

Absorb - for Audiobookshelf screenshot #1 for iPhone
Absorb - for Audiobookshelf screenshot #2 for iPhone
Absorb - for Audiobookshelf screenshot #3 for iPhone
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Absorb - for Audiobookshelf screenshot #5 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
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About

This app provides a streamlined mobile experience for listening to audiobooks and podcasts from your self-hosted media server. Enjoy features like offline playback, chapter navigation, and listening statistics. It's a free, open-source solution with no ads or data collection.

✓Offline listening
✓Chapter navigation
✓Sleep timer
✓Playback speed control
✓Home screen widgets
✓Listening statistics
✓CarPlay support
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What's New in Absorb

v1.12.0

October 21, 2026

Read along: the narration highlighted in the ebook Live transcripts for podcasts and books without an ebook Ebook scroll mode, offline ebooks and comic reader bookmarks BookOrbit server support with Smart Scopes and book requests (still being worked on, this is early days for Bookorbit support) Speed up to 5x and a stronger loudness boost Choose what the notification and car screens show Download several books at once and play offline from Downloads Lots of playback, sync and series queue fixes https://github.com/pounat/absorb/releases/tag/v1.12.0

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User reviews

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Alles was man sich wünschen kann für einen Audiobookshelf Client. Und vor allem komplett kostenlos. 1000 Dank an den Entwickler

Wow 🤩

Absolutely incredible. Anyone with audiobookshelf and an iPhone must use this.

Great app

Thanks!

Doesn’t show all tags on books

I LOVE 2 things about this app that some other AudioBookShelf clients don’t have: 1) the ability to edit the metadata of my titles, and 2) that I can see my tags

What I find annoying is that I can only see the first few tags of each title on the title details page. I add a lot of custom tags so I can better find the audiobook I want in a way that makes sense to me. So when I can only see the first few tags of a book that has like 20 custom tags, it’s very annoying.

Related to this is on the edit details screen for a book, I’d love to see the tags list represented as an array of tiles, like the native ABS web client, rather than a comma-separated list. I understand this kind of list is the easiest to implement but it’s not the most user-friendly.
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Exquisite

Beautifully designed app. Checks all the boxes one would want in an audiobook player.

Developer apps

FAQ

What is Absorb for Audiobookshelf?

Absorb is a free, open-source mobile application designed to play audiobooks and podcasts from your personal Audiobookshelf media server. It offers a clean interface and features for managing and enjoying your audio library.

Does Absorb have ads?

No, Absorb is completely free with no ads, subscriptions, or data collection. Your personal library remains private between you and your server.

What devices does Absorb support?

Absorb is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It also features CarPlay support for in-car listening.

How often is Absorb updated?

The latest version, v1.9.0, was released on June 12, 2026. The app is actively developed, with recent updates indicating ongoing improvements and feature additions.

What is the rating for Absorb?

Absorb has a high user rating of 4.9 stars based on 21 reviews, indicating strong user satisfaction with its performance and features.

Can I download books for offline listening with Absorb?

Yes, Absorb allows you to stream or download your audiobooks for offline listening. This feature ensures you can enjoy your content even without an internet connection.

What are the playback features in Absorb?

Absorb offers full playback controls including chapter navigation, a sleep timer, and adjustable playback speed. It also supports home screen widgets for quick access to playback controls.

Is Absorb suitable for children?

Absorb has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger users. The app focuses on media playback and does not contain inappropriate content.