Frequently Asked Questions

Import DRM-free EPUBs and PDFs from Files, or share them to LoudReader from another app. You can also save web articles using a link or the share extension. Scanned PDFs use on-device text recognition; results depend on the scan and layout, and OCR processes up to 300 pages per import. Password-protected PDFs are not supported.

LoudReader lets you browse and download over 70,000 Project Gutenberg classics. Downloading needs an internet connection; once a book is in your library, narration works offline. These titles are public domain in the United States, but copyright rules differ by country. The curated starter shelf is separate from the full online catalogue.

No LoudReader account is required to import books and listen. An Apple ID is used for App Store downloads and purchases.

LoudReader generates speech directly on your device. Your book text is not uploaded to a speech server for narration. This is separate from the app's network features and diagnostics, explained in the privacy answers below.

Yes. Words are highlighted as narration plays, so you can follow the text while listening and find your place when you switch between reading and listening.

23 studio narrators across 10 languages: 11 in English, four in Spanish, and one each in German, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish and Danish. Available voices depend on your device; check the in-app voice list. In the picker, the voice list follows languages in your library or languages you choose in Settings. Try every available voice for your first 8 hours of listening. Afterwards, keep a free English voice selection and unlimited book listening. No LoudReader account or word quota. Choose Stella or Rio as your free English voice; supported devices also keep Bella. Premium unlocks the full selection available on your device.

The studio roster covers English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish and Danish. Narrator availability depends on your device. You can select reading languages in Settings as well as importing books in those languages. Speech is generated locally.

Yes. Record about ten seconds of clear speech to create a narrator on your device. Use your own voice or a recording you have permission to use. Voice files are stored locally, and deleting a clone removes its saved files. You can create up to three voices during the all-voices allowance. Premium removes that creation quota. Existing cloned voices remain stored but lock after the allowance ends unless you have Premium.

Books already on your device can be narrated offline. Installation, downloading books or articles, purchases and diagnostics use the network. Before travelling, open the app and test your chosen book and voice in airplane mode so you know the needed resources are available.

Unlimited book listening and individual book imports, notes and highlights, word-following highlighting, and access to Project Gutenberg browsing are free. Try every available voice for your first 8 hours of listening. Afterwards, keep a free English voice selection and unlimited book listening. No LoudReader account or word quota. Free use also includes up to 30 saved articles and five bulk-import actions; those are separate from individual book imports.

Premium includes every available narrator, continued voice cloning, playback speed (0.3x to 3.0x), sleep timer, ambient soundscapes, unlimited article saving and uncapped batch imports. Notes and highlights are also available free. US pricing is US$7.99/month, US$49.99/year, or US$199.99 one-time (lifetime); prices can vary by storefront. An eligible subscriber's introductory offer is separate from the eight-hour voice allowance.

Go to Settings → Your Name → Subscriptions on your device. Apple handles all billing - you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel anytime.

Refunds are handled by Apple. Visit reportaproblem.apple.com to request a refund for any purchase.

Speech generation and scanned-document text recognition happen on your device. Your books are not uploaded to a speech server for narration. The app also sends crash and performance diagnostics through Sentry and usage analytics through TelemetryDeck. Local speech processing does not mean the app collects no data; see the privacy policy for details.

Yes. Book and article downloads, App Store purchases, crash and performance diagnostics, and usage analytics can involve network requests. Narrating a book already on your device does not require a speech service. Version 1.12 does not expose an in-app usage-analytics switch; the website's cookie controls apply to the website, not the app.