Audiobooks (Beta)
Silo is in active development before 1.0. These guides are updated frequently.
| Client | Listening |
|---|---|
| Web | Library, book details, persistent audio player, chapters, speed, and sleep timer |
| iPhone and iPad | Audiobook library toggle, book details, and full audio player |
| Apple TV | Book details, playback, and chapters |
| Android phone and tablet | Audio libraries, dedicated player, and download controls |
| Android TV | Audiobook library tab and dedicated player; no offline library |
| Mac | Web player |
Open an audiobook library and select a book. The detail page shows the author and narrator, which helps when a library has more than one recording.
In the web app
Section titled “In the web app”- Select the book’s play button, or Resume if you have started it.
- Use the audio player to pause or seek. Opening other Silo pages keeps the player available while you browse.
- Select a chapter on the book’s detail page to start at that point.
- Open the player’s speed or sleep controls when you want to change the listening pace or stop after a chosen interval.
The resume point belongs to the active profile. Switching profiles stops the web audiobook player. Keep the browser page open while listening. Whether audio keeps playing in the background depends on the browser and device.
On iPhone and iPad
Section titled “On iPhone and iPad”If the library is missing, open Settings > Library & Data and turn on Show Audiobooks. Your profile also needs access to an audiobook library. The display choice starts off and is saved for that device, server, and profile.
Open the book and select its play or resume control. Tap the mini-player to open the full player. Choose Playback Speed, Sleep, or Chapters there. The sleep menu offers 15, 30, or 60 minutes; choose Off to cancel the timer. You can also choose a chapter from the book’s detail page.
On Android phones and tablets
Section titled “On Android phones and tablets”Open the book and start playback. In the full player, tap the speed value to change it, Sleep to set a timer, or the chapter control to choose a chapter. The speed sheet also offers a default-speed choice.
On a TV
Section titled “On a TV”On Apple TV, open a book from a library or home row and select its main play/resume control. Chapters opens a chapter picker; Start Over restarts the book.
On Android TV, start the book, then use the player’s speed, Sleep, or Chapters control with the remote and choose an option in the panel that opens.
Resume on another device
Section titled “Resume on another device”Pause on the first device and let it reach the server, then open the same book with the same profile on the other device. If both devices play at once, each can overwrite the other’s progress.
For a dedicated listening app, see Audiobookshelf-compatible apps. Administrators can set up an audiobook library.
Downloads
Section titled “Downloads”| Client | Offline audiobook access |
|---|---|
| Android phone and tablet | Open the book’s detail page and select Download. A downloadable audio file and download permission are required. |
| iPhone and iPad | Use an Audiobookshelf-compatible app that supports offline listening. Silo’s audiobook detail page has no download action. |
| Apple TV and Android TV | Stream from the server; there is no offline audiobook library. |
| Web | No offline audiobook library. |
On an Android phone or tablet, wait for Downloaded, then open the book from Downloads. To test it before you travel, turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data and play a later chapter.