Audible Launches 'Read & Listen' Syncing for Kindle Ebooks and Audiobooks

The new feature allows users to read ebooks while listening to the audiobook version in sync.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Audible, the Amazon-owned audiobook platform, has launched a new 'Read & Listen' feature that allows users to read Kindle ebooks while simultaneously listening to the audiobook version. The feature highlights the text in real-time as the narration plays, enabling a more immersive reading and listening experience. Customers will need to purchase both the ebook and audiobook versions to use the syncing functionality, but Audible will offer discounted audiobook pricing for those who already own the matching ebook.

Why it matters

The new 'Read & Listen' feature caters to a variety of user needs, including students, language learners, and those who frequently switch between reading and listening. It also aims to boost sales of both ebooks and audiobooks by making it easier for customers to consume content across formats.

The details

The 'Read & Listen' feature is available in Audible's mobile app and allows users to seamlessly transition between reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook, with the text highlighted in sync with the narration. At launch, the feature supports hundreds of thousands of titles in multiple languages, including English, German, Spanish, Italian, and French. Audible will automatically identify which Kindle ebooks have matching audiobook versions within its app to make it easier for customers to discover eligible titles.

  • The 'Read & Listen' feature was announced and launched on February 18, 2026.
  • The feature will be available in the U.S. initially, with support for the U.K., Australia, and Germany rolling out in the following months.

The players

Audible

An Amazon-owned audiobook platform that offers a wide selection of audiobooks and now features the new 'Read & Listen' functionality.

Kindle

Amazon's e-reader device and app that allows users to purchase and read ebooks, which can now be synced with the corresponding Audible audiobook.

Andy Tsao

The Chief Product Officer at Audible, who commented on the launch of the 'Read & Listen' feature.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Audiobooks count as reading, but now at Audible, you can read with your eyes too. Read & Listen gives book lovers the best of both worlds. Whether you're learning a new language, studying for school, or lost in a story's world, you no longer have to choose one format over the other.'”

— Andy Tsao, Chief Product Officer, Audible

What’s next

Audible plans to expand the availability of the 'Read & Listen' feature to additional markets, including the U.K., Australia, and Germany, in the coming months following the initial launch in the U.S.

The takeaway

Audible's new 'Read & Listen' feature provides a seamless way for customers to engage with both ebooks and audiobooks, catering to a variety of user needs and potentially boosting sales across both formats. This integration of reading and listening experiences demonstrates Amazon's continued efforts to enhance the digital content ecosystem for its customers.