Sponge
Leave your phone at home, but never stop learning.
Audiobooks on your wrist. No iPhone required.
Listen Anywhere, Anytime
Sponge is a standalone audiobook player built exclusively for Apple Watch. Stream audiobooks directly from your server when connected, or download them to your watch for offline playback. Go for a run, play at the park, or explore the outdoors—all while listening to your favorite audiobooks. No iPhone needed.
Your privacy matters. Sponge doesn't collect, track, or share any of your personal data. It's technology built for good—free, private, and designed to help you keep learning wherever life takes you.
Perfect For
Apple Watch For Your Kids
If you have a Family Setup watch for your child, add free audiobooks they can enjoy anywhere. Perfect for road trips, quiet time, bus rides, or bedtime stories—no phone required.
Active Lifestyles
Runners, hikers, and fitness enthusiasts: leave your phone behind and bring your audiobooks with you on every adventure.
Minimalist Listening
Sometimes you just want to disconnect. Enjoy audiobooks without the distractions of a smartphone.
Features
Truly Standalone
The entire app runs on your Apple Watch. No iPhone companion app. No phone dependency. Complete freedom.
Stream or Download
Stream audiobooks directly from the server when connected to WiFi or cellular, or download them to your watch for offline listening. You choose what works best for you.
Offline Playback
Download audiobooks directly to your watch for completely offline listening. Perfect for flights, remote areas, or saving cellular data. Listen anywhere without connectivity.
Multiple Sources
Browse thousands of free audiobooks from Librivox's public domain library or connect to AudiobookShelf servers.
Sync Your Progress
Your listening progress is saved locally and optionally synced to supported servers, so you can pick up right where you left off even on other devices.
Completely Free
No subscriptions, no in-app purchases, no ads. Sponge is 100% free to download and use forever.
Complete Privacy
Your privacy is sacred. Sponge collects zero user data. No analytics, no tracking, no telemetry. Just you and your audiobooks.
Your Audiobooks, Your Way
Librivox
Explore 20,000+ free public domain audiobooks from Librivox. From classic literature to historical works, all available at your fingertips.
AudiobookShelf
Connect to your self-hosted AudiobookShelf server to access your personal audiobook library from your wrist.
More Sources Coming Soon
We're working on adding support for additional audiobook sources. Stay tuned for future updates!
How It Works
- Connect Your Sources - Browse Librivox's catalog or add your AudiobookShelf server
- Stream or Download - Stream audiobooks directly when connected, or download them to your watch for offline listening
- Listen Anywhere - Leave your phone behind and enjoy audiobooks wherever you go, online or offline
Technical Details
- Platform: watchOS 10.6+
- Supported Models:
- Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
- Apple Watch Ultra (all models)
- Apple Watch SE (2nd generation and newer)
- Storage: Downloaded audiobooks are stored locally on your Apple Watch for offline access
- Connectivity: Stream audiobooks over WiFi or cellular, or download for offline playback
- Battery: Optimized for extended listening sessions
- Privacy: Zero data collection or tracking—your listening habits stay private
- Price: Free (no subscriptions, no in-app purchases, no ads)
Available Now on the App Store
100% free, 100% private.
No subscriptions. No ads. No tracking. No catch. Just good technology designed to help you keep learning.