Are you tired of reading? Why not convert books into audiobooks and listen to them? There are many Android and iOS apps that can convert your ebook into an audiobook for free. These apps support various file types including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, etc. But if you are buying the ebook from services like Kindle, Kobo, iBooks, Nook, etc., your downloaded ebook is DRM-protected. But you can remove it and convert the ebook into an audiobook. And not just ebooks, you can also convert any physical book into an audiobook. Here’s how.
How to Turn an eBook into an Audiobook
You don’t get the audio version when you buy ebooks from services like Kindle. The only option is to buy the audio version separately from services like Audible. But you can get the audio version for free by converting the already owned ebook into an audiobook.
1. First, you need to remove the DRM protection from the ebook and convert it into a regular ebook format like EPUB or MOBI. You can do this with tools such as Epobor Ultimate which costs around $25 or use free tools like Calibre which has a lengthy process.
2. Once you have removed DRM protection, copy the file to your phone. Now install the Natural Reader app from Play Store or App Store.
3. Open the app and select the voice that you like. You will find several voices in free, premium, and plus plans. You can use premium or plus voices for free for 20 mins and 5 mins per day respectively. Next, select the speed that you are comfortable with and tap on Next.
4. Now log in to the Natural Reader app. You can use your email or sign in with Google or Apple. Tap on the plus + button at the bottom right corner.
5. In the menu, select the Documents and Images option. Then select the ebook that you want to listen to.
6. The app will upload the ebook and offer a way to open it.
7. Once the ebook opens, tap on the play button at the top to start listening to the book. Tap on the Settings icon at the top right to change speaker, speed, dark mode, zoom, etc.
How to Turn a Physical Book into an Audiobook
Turning a physical book into an audiobook is much easier than an ebook. We will use an app to scan the book’s pages and convert them into a text file. Then we will use a text-to-speech app to create an audio file (audiobook) of the same.
1. First download the VFlatScan app to scan the physical book. The app is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
2. Once downloaded, open the app and grant permission to the camera and storage to scan the book and save it.
3. Then start scanning the pages. It can be time-consuming to scan all the pages of a book. Instead, you can scan a chapter or 10 pages at once. Once scanned, tap on the photo beside the shutter button to open and see all the scanned photos.
4. You can move through each scan and adjust to crop.
5. Now tap on the back icon at the top. You will see all the scans in a grid layout.
6. Select all the images and tap on the More option at the bottom right corner. Then select the Create TXT option.
7. This will automatically convert all the selected images into a text file. Once done, tap on Create TXT button.
8. It will save the file and give you the option to open the file and share the file. From here, the process is different on Android and iOS.
Using Evie App on Android
9. Download the Evie app which is available on the Play Store.
10. Now open the VFlatScan app again and tap on the Share button. Select Evie app in the Share Sheet menu.
11. This will open the text file in Evie. You can use the Evie settings to adjust the voice, speed, etc. Just tap on the Play Button at the bottom to start playing.
Using Natural Reader App on Android and iOS
9. VFlatScan app already saved the text file on your phone. Download the Natural Reader app that we have used in the ebooks process.
10. After the set-up process, tap on the plus icon at the bottom right corner and select the Document and Images option.
11. Now select the text file that is saved by the VFlatScan app. It will upload the file and give you the option to open it.
12. Once open, tap on the play button to listen to the newly created audiobook. You can use the cog icon to adjust settings like voice and speed.
Turning A Book Into Audiobook
Natural Reader is the app you need if you like to turn an ebook or a physical book into an audiobook on Android or iOS. But if the ebook is DRM protected, you can remove it with the Calibre app. To turn a physical book into an audiobook, use VFlatScan to scan and convert it into a text file.