Spotify is testing a feature that syncs audiobooks with paper editions | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Spotify is testing a feature that syncs audiobooks with paper editionsComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechSpotify is testing a feature that syncs audiobooks with paper editionsPage Match lets you scan a page to jump right to that part of an audiobookPage Match lets you scan a page to jump right to that part of an audiobookby Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedJan 20, 2026, 11:20 AM UTCLinkShareGiftSpotify wants audiobooks to be on the same page. Image: Cath Virginia / The VergeJess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.Spotify appears to be working on a novel feature that will allow audiobook listeners to pick up where they left off in the physical book. Android Authority reports that version 9.1.18.282 of the Spotify app includes code references to a Page Match beta feature that can quickly sync audiobooks on the platform with their paper and ebook counterparts.Using Page Match will require users to unlock or purchase the audiobook on Spotify and own either the paper or ebook version of the same book. The feature works by scanning the page you’re currently reading with your device camera, using optical character recognition (OCR) to identify passages that are then matched to specific timestamps in the audiobook.The aim is to spare you from having to fast-forward and rewind manually, but it seems Page Match could also work in reverse. Code snippets suggest that Spotify will also display the page number that corresponds to your current audiobook position, making it easier for bibliophiles to quickly jump between listening and physical reading. This is backed up by Spotify’s own description of the feature, which can “match your progress from the book page to the audiobook — and back again.” Page numbers can vary by book edition, however, which could cause some complications.Spotify has yet to announce Page Match, so there’s no guarantee that it’ll roll out publicly. The OCR for Page Match also isn’t always reliable, with Android Authority reporting that Spotify will ask you to scan a nearby page if it’s unable to identify the passage you’re reading.Amazon has a similar feature called Whispersync for Voice that synchronizes Audible audiobooks with Kindle ebooks, but that solution doesn’t support syncing with paper books or ebooks on other platforms. Page Match doesn’t have those limitations, which could make it easier for people to put down their physical books and continue listening while driving, cooking, and doing other hands-on activities — something I do regularly to remain productive.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedAudioCloseAudioPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AudioBooksCloseBooksPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All BooksEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsSpotifyCloseSpotifyPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All SpotifyTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularSony’s TV business is being taken over by TCLHow much can a city take?Bungie’s Marathon shooter launches on March 5thAsus may have made its last phoneA second US Sphere could come to MarylandThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Spotify is exploring a novel integration between its audiobook service and physical book editions, a feature tentatively termed “Page Match.” Initial reports, stemming from Android Authority’s analysis of Spotify version 9.1.8.282, reveal the presence of code referencing a beta feature designed to synchronize audiobook progress with the corresponding page in a printed book. This integration hinges on users possessing both the Spotify audiobook subscription and the physical or ebook version of the same title.

The core functionality of Page Match relies on optical character recognition (OCR) technology. Users would scan a page of the physical book with their device’s camera. The OCR would then identify the text, matching it to the precise timestamp within the linked audiobook. This process seeks to eliminate the tedium of manual fast-forwarding and rewinding, a common frustration for listeners who frequently reference the printed text.

Beyond simple synchronization, Spotify intends to display the page number correlated to the current audiobook location. This would provide users with a direct reference point, streamlining the transition between reading and listening. The feature’s description highlights its capability to “match your progress from the book page to the audiobook — and back again.” However, it’s important to note that variations in page numbering across different editions of the same book could introduce potential complications.

Spotify's Page Match differentiates itself from existing solutions, such as Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice. While Whispersync synchronizes Audible audiobooks with Kindle ebooks, it lacks the capability to integrate with physical books. Furthermore, Page Match doesn’t impose limitations on platform compatibility; it’s designed to work across both physical books and ebooks from other providers. This expanded versatility could prove particularly beneficial for users who frequently engage in hands-on activities while listening—a habit I personally indulge in regularly.

The beta feature is currently experiencing some technical challenges. Android Authority reported instances where the OCR was unreliable, prompting Spotify to request users scan a nearby page if the system failed to accurately identify the text. This suggests a stage of development still requiring refinement.

The development of Page Match underscores Spotify's commitment to providing a seamless and intuitive listening experience, regardless of the format of the content. The initiative reflects a broader trend in the media industry—a desire to bridge the gap between traditional and digital media formats. The feature’s potential benefits extend beyond simply reducing user friction; it could foster a deeper engagement with audiobooks, encouraging listeners to actively utilize the accompanying physical text. The success of this integration will, in part, depend on the continued improvement of the OCR technology and the ability to handle variations in book editions effectively.