[NFBCS] audible accessibility regressions

Tue Feb 24 16:04:04 UTC 2026

I used to like the Audible iOS application but recently I have been disappointed with its unpredictability. If I navigate to the library tab, sometimes the screen goes completely blank and VoiceOver announces, ‘dynamic island empty’ and executing swipe gestures doesn’t do anything. I end up either closing the app or if I navigate to the library tab, I select the lists tab and then select audiobooks. I find using the player inconsistent. The player worked for me until a recent update which broke it. There was another update which fixed it. I don’t like the cluttered Audible interface and the fact that it seems to turn on screen recognition even though I have it turned off in VoiceOver settings.

I’m finding that Meta integration is broken. If I open the Meta app, say ‘hey Meta play’ and then the name of the book followed by ‘on Audible’ Audible opens but the book doesn’t play. When I got my Meta classes Audible integration worked once I enabled the service in the Meta application settings. I don’t know where the breakdown is happening but it is a serious problem. Using the Audible application used to be a pleasant experience. Now it is a nightmare.

Dan

From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Nancy Coffman via NFBCS
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2026 8:18 PM
To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org
Cc: Nancy Coffman <nancy.l.coffman at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBCS] audible accessibility regressions

This issue should also be reported to Amazon as they own Audible.

Nancy Coffman

On Feb 22, 2026, at 7:07 PM, Ty Littlefield via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Hello,

I'm glad that people are on these issues. I can not test to verify the miniplayer issues.

I am on IOS 26.3 (not beta) and running Audible 4.64 with no updates to be installed.

If I navigate to my library tab, all of the books that can be played or downloaded that are previously given a button role still have the button role, but they also say "has popup button." after the button role is announced.

Activating any of these either does nothing, in the case of being able to play, or gives me a blank screen. Dragging my finger around the screen to explore receives no feedback. The only way I've found to get controls back is to close Audible in the app switcher, then open it again. Turning Voiceover off and back on again does not help.

Thanks,

Ty Littlefield (he/him/his)

*	From Bytes to Bites <https://tysdomain.com> | 
*	Linkedin <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-lerlittlefield/> |
*	Github <https://github.com/tlfdev> 

On 2/22/2026 5:24 PM, Mosen, Jonathan via NFBCS wrote:

Hello Ty, yes, CENA is in regular touch with Amazon on a range of issues, some of which are reported to us via the inaccessibility tracker form we offer for the purpose of bug collections.

We did raise the serious regression in the Mini Player after receiving numerous reports, and Amazon fixed it fairly quickly. The update came out a week and a half ago or so. Are you definitely running the latest build?

If you are and you are still experiencing issues, please do let me know and we’ll investigate them so we can pass on good quality data. I am no longer able to duplicate the issue personally after installing the update.

Thanks.

Jonathan Mosen
Executive Director for Accessibility Excellence
National Federation of the Blind 
410-659-9314 ex 2233   
 <mailto:jmosen at nfb.org> jmosen at nfb.org

Reminder: Attend  <https://nfb.org/convention> National Convention, July 3-8, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
“It’s the time of year where blind people are the majority.”

 <https://nfb.org/> 

 <https://nfb.org/> <image001.jpg>

From: NFBCS  <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ty Littlefield via NFBCS
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2026 6:59 PM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List  <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ty Littlefield  <mailto:tyler at tysdomain.com> <tyler at tysdomain.com>
Subject: [NFBCS] audible accessibility regressions

Hi all,

I'm curious if anyone has connections to anyone who can file these to be fixed. Audible has introduced two recent bugs that are horrible for accessibility: one where the miniplayer button you can activate to expand does not work, and another much more frustrating issue where the button to activate a book title in your library is treated as a popup button.

This has a hint of "double tap to activate the picker," and reads as "button popup button," but there is not a menu presented. This means that it's now impossible to download/play books with Voiceover on IOS.

I've reported the issue to Apple, because Voiceover shouldn't hit this point and present a blank screen, but I'm also concerned at how many issues Audible has introduced in terms of accessibility.

I'd be happy to connect with anyone, or feel free if you know of someone to just pass this along if that works better.

Thanks,

-- 

Ty Littlefield (he/him/his)

1.	From Bytes to Bites <https://tysdomain.com> | 
2.	Linkedin <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-lerlittlefield/> |
3.	Github <https://github.com/tlfdev> 

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