Use Case Guide
Listen to EPUB Books
on iPhone
Updated October 2026 · Turn any ebook into a spoken audiobook, offline
You have EPUB ebooks — maybe from Project Gutenberg, Humble Bundle, your local library, or DRM-free stores like Kobo. You want to listen to them like audiobooks. But there's no audiobook edition, or you'd rather not pay $15–30 for a narrated version of a book you already own.
LocalReader turns any EPUB file into spoken audio using on-device neural voices on your iPhone. Open the file, pick a voice, press play. Chapter navigation, bookmarks, word highlighting — all offline, all on-device.
How it works
Open your EPUB
Share an EPUB from the Files app, email, or any download. LocalReader extracts the text and organizes it by chapters.
Pick a voice and speed
Choose from on-device neural voices across 8 languages. Set speed from 0.5x (slow reading) to 3.0x (speed listening). Every voice works offline.
Listen anywhere
Play from your Lock Screen, Apple Watch, or via Siri. Navigate between chapters. Your position is bookmarked automatically.
EPUB vs. audiobook: why TTS is sometimes better
| Feature | Audiobook (Audible, etc.) | EPUB + LocalReader |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per book | $15–30 or subscription | Free (you own the EPUB) |
| Voice quality | Human narrator | On-device neural voices |
| Speed control | 0.5x–3.5x | 0.5x–3.0x |
| Word highlighting | No (audio only) | Yes — visual + audio sync |
| Availability | Select titles only | Any EPUB you own |
| Works offline | Downloaded only | Always — on-device synthesis |
| Privacy | Usage tracked | Zero tracking |
Audiobooks are great when they exist and when you want a professional narration. But for the thousands of ebooks without audiobook editions — textbooks, technical books, indie novels, free classics — LocalReader turns them into listenable audio for free.
Where to find free EPUB books
- Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org) — 70,000+ free public domain books in EPUB format
- Standard Ebooks (standardebooks.org) — Beautifully formatted public domain ebooks
- Open Library (openlibrary.org) — Digital lending library with EPUB downloads
- Your local library — Most libraries offer EPUB lending via Libby or OverDrive
- Humble Bundle — DRM-free EPUB bundles for a pay-what-you-want price
Supported EPUB features
- EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 files
- Chapter / section navigation via table of contents
- Automatic bookmark — resume from your last position
- Real-time word highlighting synced with voice
- Speed adjustment from 0.5x to 3.0x
- Lock Screen, Apple Watch, and Siri playback controls
FAQ
Can I listen to EPUB books on iPhone?
Yes. LocalReader opens EPUB files and reads them aloud using on-device neural voices. Chapter navigation, bookmarks, and real-time word highlighting are all supported. Share an EPUB from Files or any app, and LocalReader turns it into a spoken audiobook.
How is this different from an audiobook?
Audiobooks are pre-recorded by human narrators — you buy a specific recording of a specific book. LocalReader generates speech from any EPUB you own, using on-device neural voices. You can listen to any ebook, not just ones with audiobook editions. Speed is adjustable and word highlighting helps with comprehension.
Does LocalReader keep my place in long EPUB books?
Yes. LocalReader bookmarks your position so you can resume exactly where you left off. Chapter navigation lets you jump between sections. This works across app restarts and even when you switch between documents.
What EPUB features are supported?
LocalReader handles standard EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 files with chapter/section navigation, table of contents, and text extraction. It reads the text content aloud with word highlighting. Images and embedded audio in EPUBs are skipped — the focus is on reading the text aloud.
No account required · 100% offline · Free tier available