How to Set Up Whispersync for Voice on Kindle (Step-by-Step Guide)

I hope that you are all having a wonderful festive period!

In last week’s newsletter, I talked about how I use Whispersync for Voice to read and listen to books at the same time. It has completely changed how I read, helping me reclaim an extra hour of reading per day during breakfast and lunch.

But here's the thing: Whispersync for Voice isn't automatic. There's a specific setup process, and it's honestly a bit confusing the first time you do it. So today, I'm breaking down everything you need to know.

✅What You Actually Need

Firstly, to avoid any confusion, let’s clarify a key point. There are two different things here: Audible and Whispersync for Voice.

Audible is Amazon’s audiobook subscription service.

Whispersync for Voice is the optional add-on, which lets you sync your Kindle e-book and Audible audiobook.

Here are four things you need to actually make this work:

1. A Kindle e-book bought through Amazon.
2. The matching Audible audiobook.
3. The Kindle and your Audible account must be logged into the same Amazon account.
4. Ideally, an Audible membership, if you plan to do this regularly, as otherwise the audiobooks can become expensive.

📲How To Set It Up

There are two main methods to set up Whispersync for voice:

Method 1: Buying a New Book with Whispersync

1. When you’re buying a brand new book for Kindle and Audible.
2. Find the book you want on Amazon.
3. When buying the book, look for the checkbox that says “Add audiobook”, and tick that box.
4. Buy now, and complete your purchase. Both the e-book and audiobook will be sent to your library.

Method 2: Adding an Audiobook to an Existing Kindle Book

1. When you already own the Kindle book, and now you want to add the audiobook.
2. On Amazon, search for the same book and check that this is showing as ready for Whispersync for Voice.
3. Complete the purchase of your audiobook.

The final step, and arguably the most important, is syncing your devices. If you are logged into the same accounts on all devices, this should happen automatically. If not, then ensure you are logged into the same Amazon account.

Once both are downloaded, you’re good to go.

💡How To Actually Use It

Now let's talk about how to actually use Whispersync for Voice. There are two main ways: switching between reading and listening, or doing both at the same time, like I do.

Method 1: Switching Method

If you want to switch between reading and listening, Whispersync for Voice allows you to do this automatically.

Open your Kindle and start reading. When you want to hear the audio, close your Kindle and pick up from the same spot on your Audible account.

I sometimes find this sync isn’t immediate, so you can’t literally put down your Kindle and pick up on Audible. But usually, the sync happens within a couple of minutes.

Method 2: Reading & Listening Method

This is how I use Whispersync for Voice, reading and listening at the same time.

I set my audiobook to 1.3x, which pushes me just slightly faster than my natural reading pace.

To adjust the speed, tap the '1.0x' button in the Audible app and choose your preferred speed. I recommend starting at 1.2x and gradually increasing."

This method keeps me completely locked in. I can't zone out, I can't skim, and I retain so much more. It's genuinely changed my reading life.

💭Closing Thoughts

Whispersync for Voice has been a revelation to my reading experience. Having an Audible account isn’t free, but for me, the focus and retention make it worth every penny.

What system do you use for reading? Let me know by contacting me at Hello@charliesamways.com.

I’d love to hear your experiences reading and using e-readers, so please reach out to share your thoughts.

You can check out the video all about this topic on my YouTube channel below:

If you’re passionate about self-improvement, reading or want to discuss the subject of reading, I’d love to hear from you. So please drop me a message.

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