How to Fix the Crappy Artwork Included in Audiobooks from Audible

I like listening to audiobooks, and I use Audible (both Audible.com in the US and Audible UK. One problem with Audible is that they include really low-resolution artwork with their books, and it looks ugly. Here’s an example.

Audible artwork1

I prefer replacing that artwork so I can read the covers. But it’s not easy; for some reason, in Audible files, you cannot delete the artwork as you can with music files. You can’t drag the new artwork either. What you have to do is select a book, press Command-I, and then click the Artwork tab. Click the Add Artwork button and select a file. (Find a book cover on Google, doing an image search, first.)

When you do this, you can see that the new artwork gets added to the left of the original artwork:

Audible artwork2

Click OK to save the artwork. If you select the file(s) and press Command-I again, when you click the Artwork tab, you’ll only see the new artwork. But the old artwork is still there; if you delete the new one (which you can do easily now), the old one will reappear.

It’s very odd, and must have something to do with Audible’s files. But it’s sad that they can’t provide artwork that is readable. It’s a headache to have to change artwork for all the books I download, but until Audible fixes it, that’s what I’ll keep doing.

20 thoughts on “How to Fix the Crappy Artwork Included in Audiobooks from Audible

    • You think? First, the audiobooks you get from Apple are exactly the same as those from Audible (though the artwork is correct). Second, you cannot re-download audiobooks from the iTunes Store; so you’d better make sure you have backups. Third, Audible is much cheaper; if you’re a regular audiobook listener, you get a monthly plan, and books are half the price as Apple sells them for, if not even cheaper.

      So, you still think getting audiobooks from Apple is a good idea?

    • You think? First, the audiobooks you get from Apple are exactly the same as those from Audible (though the artwork is correct). Second, you cannot re-download audiobooks from the iTunes Store; so you’d better make sure you have backups. Third, Audible is much cheaper; if you’re a regular audiobook listener, you get a monthly plan, and books are half the price as Apple sells them for, if not even cheaper.

      So, you still think getting audiobooks from Apple is a good idea?

  1. I have maybe 3 dozen audiobooks from Audible. I usually listen to them on my iPhone, but just now noticed that in iTunes on my desktop computer, only some of the audiobooks showed artwork. I found that the art would show up if/when I clicked on “get Info” and look at the “Artwork” tab. Then it would sometimes migrate to the audiobook listings, but not always. Very frustrating. By playing around I seem to be able to restore some artwork, but not all and I don’t know how it’s all working. The artwork is there, but just doesn’t always show up in the main Audiobooks or Authors listings.

  2. I have maybe 3 dozen audiobooks from Audible. I usually listen to them on my iPhone, but just now noticed that in iTunes on my desktop computer, only some of the audiobooks showed artwork. I found that the art would show up if/when I clicked on “get Info” and look at the “Artwork” tab. Then it would sometimes migrate to the audiobook listings, but not always. Very frustrating. By playing around I seem to be able to restore some artwork, but not all and I don’t know how it’s all working. The artwork is there, but just doesn’t always show up in the main Audiobooks or Authors listings.

  3. Can anyone tell me why my imported artwork into my audible files in iTunes has now reverted to the original and why I can no longer add my own artwork to audible files?

  4. Can anyone tell me why my imported artwork into my audible files in iTunes has now reverted to the original and why I can no longer add my own artwork to audible files?

  5. Figured how to fix it!!
    There is not a problem with the artwork showing on .aax audible files. These are the Enhanced files. You will need to go into your audible account and re-download the files in an enhanced format. Screen Shot 2016-09-21 at 10.33.48 AM.png
    The files are about double the size of a Format 4 file. The Format 4 files (.aa) seem to be the ones reverting the artwork back to the original horrible pixel artwork.
    Just delete the old files from your iTunes library and replace with the enhanced files. They synced over fine to my iPhone 6sPlus just fine.

  6. Figured how to fix it!!
    There is not a problem with the artwork showing on .aax audible files. These are the Enhanced files. You will need to go into your audible account and re-download the files in an enhanced format. Screen Shot 2016-09-21 at 10.33.48 AM.png
    The files are about double the size of a Format 4 file. The Format 4 files (.aa) seem to be the ones reverting the artwork back to the original horrible pixel artwork.
    Just delete the old files from your iTunes library and replace with the enhanced files. They synced over fine to my iPhone 6sPlus just fine.

  7. ******The audiobook artwork problem is solved!****** Just download the books in enhanced format from the audible library!

  8. ******The audiobook artwork problem is solved!****** Just download the books in enhanced format from the audible library!

  9. can someone walk me through exactly how to do this? do i need to have the book downloaded in audible then sync my phone to my itunes for it to show up?

  10. can someone walk me through exactly how to do this? do i need to have the book downloaded in audible then sync my phone to my itunes for it to show up?

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