# Sponge Audiobooks — Audiobooks on your watch

> Standalone Apple Watch audiobook player with multiple source support. (iPhone/iPad app by Expeditionary Logic.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sponge-audiobooks/id6755274146 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Expeditionary Logic](https://appshunter.io/developer/1852905845)
- Category: Books, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-11-27
- Data updated: 2026-07-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sponge-audiobooks/id6755274146/reviews.md

## What is Sponge Audiobooks?

Play audiobooks directly from your Apple Watch. No iPhone required. Connect to multiple different sources of audiobooks, from the great Librivox site online, or use your own self-hosted audiobooks with Audiobookshelf. And more sources are on the way!

Designed particularly for Apple Watch For Your Kids (formerly "Family Setup"). Kids can listen to audiobooks instead of staring at screens.

Features:
- No iPhone required
- Download to play books offline. Swipe to the left to download.
- Auto sync progress to Audiobookshelf server (when available)
- Add many audiobook sources. Press+Hold to copy a source
- No need to type URL or password on your tiny watch: https://spongeaudio.com/setup-sources.html

## Key features

- Play audiobooks directly on Apple Watch
- No iPhone required
- Offline playback via downloads
- Supports Librivox and Audiobookshelf
- Sync progress to Audiobookshelf
- Designed for Apple Watch For Your Kids


## Frequently asked questions about Sponge Audiobooks

### Does Sponge Audiobooks have ads?

No, Sponge Audiobooks is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted listening experience.

### How much does Sponge Audiobooks cost?

Sponge Audiobooks is available for free, with no in-app purchases or subscriptions required.

### Can I listen to audiobooks offline with Sponge Audiobooks?

Yes, Sponge Audiobooks allows you to download books to play offline directly from your Apple Watch.

### What audiobook sources does Sponge Audiobooks support?

Sponge Audiobooks supports multiple sources, including Librivox online and your own self-hosted audiobooks via Audiobookshelf. More sources are planned for future updates.

### Is Sponge Audiobooks suitable for children?

Yes, Sponge Audiobooks is designed with children in mind, particularly for Apple Watch For Your Kids (formerly "Family Setup"), offering a screen-free way for kids to enjoy audiobooks.

### Do I need an iPhone to use Sponge Audiobooks?

No, Sponge Audiobooks is designed to work independently on your Apple Watch, meaning you do not need your iPhone to play audiobooks.

### How often is Sponge Audiobooks updated?

The latest version of Sponge Audiobooks is 0.9.4, last updated on February 23, 2026. Updates aim to add new features and sources.

### What devices are compatible with Sponge Audiobooks?

Sponge Audiobooks is compatible with Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPod devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.0 — 2026-07-18

1.0 release!
- New tips and gestures shown on first use; always available in the Settings view.
- Fixed long hang when first loading after watch restart or on low power mode caused by Apple WatchOS bug.
- More reliable downloads.
- Proper bidirectional ABS server progress sync.
- Instructions built in.
- More efficient power usage when navigating the UI.
- UI improvements.
- Bug fixes.

### 0.9.4 — 2026-02-23

Bug fixes for downloading large audiobooks in the background. Will now complete correctly and make books available for offline play upon completion of foreground or background download.

### 0.9.3 — 2026-01-22

- Bug fix for some watches on older versions of watchOS which got an error/failure when adding an Audiobookshelf source. Please try again.
- Add sources without typing! Just send yourself a link. See https://spongeaudio.com for instructions.
- Updated progress reporting. (unfortunately, progress will be reset this one time on app update)
- Addressed an audio player hanging when in low-power mode.
- Error handling and messages for older watchOS versions when connecting to ABS server

### 0.9.2 — 2026-01-19

- Add sources without typing! See spongeaudio.com for instructions.
- Updated progress reporting. (unfortunately, progress will be reset this one time on app update)
- Addressed an audio player hanging when in low-power mode.
- Error handling and messages for older watchOS versions when connecting to ABS server

### 0.9.1 — 2026-01-14

- Add sources without typing! See spongeaudio.com for instructions.
- Updated progress reporting. (unfortunately, progress will be reset this one time on app update)
- Addressed an audio player hanging when in low-power mode.

## Apps similar to Sponge Audiobooks

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Offline Audiobook Player](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/offline-audiobook-player/id6755364128) | 3.0 (1) | Free | Books |
| [ListenBook Pro: book player](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/listenbook-pro-book-player/id1529716191) | 4.7 (19) | $24.99 | Books |
| [Fable Frog](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fable-frog/id6760953386) | — | Free | Books |
| [Auribook](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/auribook/id6752285662) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Books |
| [Booken](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/booken/id6550895937) | 4.0 (2) | Free | Books |
| [Abookio Audiobook Player](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abookio-audiobook-player/id6754542041) | 3.7 (3) | Free | Books |

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-24.*