Can You Listen to EPUB Books?
Yes! While EPUB books are designed for reading, modern text-to-speech technology makes it possible to listen to them with natural-sounding voices. Here's how to do it on your iPhone.
Method: Use VocaRead (Easiest)
The simplest way to listen to EPUB books is with VocaRead, a free iOS app designed specifically for this purpose.
Step 1: Import your book
Open VocaRead and tap "Import." You can add EPUB files from your iPhone's Files app, or browse free public domain books from Project Gutenberg directly within the app.
Step 2: Choose a voice
VocaRead offers dozens of AI voices across 30+ languages. Download the voice you want (this requires internet once). After that, everything works offline.
Step 3: Press play
That's it. Your book starts reading aloud. The text is highlighted in real-time so you can follow along. You can also lock your phone and listen in the background, just like a music app or podcast.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Try different voices — Some voices suit certain genres better.
- Use background playback — Lock your phone and listen through headphones.
- Adjust the speed — Speed up or slow down to match your preference.
Supported Formats
VocaRead supports EPUB and PDF files. EPUB generally provides better results because the text is cleaner and chapters are properly structured.
Curious how TTS compares to traditional audiobooks? Read our TTS vs Audiobooks comparison.