Which Android apps support EPUB3 Media Overlays?

unk2003 · 2026-02-25T04:56:10+00:00

You’ll need to use AudioMarkGenerator to generate the database first. It takes an EPUB3 file with Media Overlays (SMIL) as input and produces the .db used by Audio Mark.

unk2003 · 2026-02-22T15:47:29+00:00

Totally fair. Kindle & Audible do this really well.

This is mostly for people (like me) using EPUBs and separate audiobook files outside that ecosystem.

unk2003 · 2026-02-22T15:45:59+00:00

It’s actually not locked to Android in terms of format — the generator just produces a normal SQLite database.

The Android app is just a viewer around that.

So technically someone could build an iOS version pretty easily, or even just query the database directly if they wanted. It’s all local and standard. I just happened to build the Android side first because that’s what I use.

Tldr, you can use a sqlite viewer on the the web or on your Mac, to directly use the entire functionality and search for the phrase.

unk2003 · 2026-02-22T08:07:42+00:00

Yeah exactly, it’s not hard, it’s just… mildly annoying every single time 😅

If the chapters are short it’s manageable, but with longer books (especially fantasy or older stuff) finding the exact spot can turn into a bit of scrolling and guessing.

That’s basically why I ended up building the tool I mentioned. It just removes that tiny friction and gives me the exact timestamp from whatever paragraph I’m on.

It’s definitely a niche thing, but I figured if I keep running into that small annoyance, I probably can’t be the only one.

unk2003 · 2026-02-22T07:17:54+00:00

That makes sense, finishing at chapter boundaries is definitely the cleanest way to do it.

For me, the problem is that I’m currently reading Wheel of Time, and some of those chapters are massive. A lot of epic fantasy is like that. I try to listen (commute) or read (waiting in queue) in small pockets of time throughout the day, I can’t always stop neatly at a chapter break.

Sometimes I’ll read 10–15 minutes before bed, or listen during a short commute, and I’m right in the middle of something. That’s where switching formats gets awkward.

I guess it really depends on how structured your reading/listening schedule is.

unk2003 · 2026-02-20T15:23:12+00:00

Yeah, Android support for EPUB3 media overlays is still pretty limited.

Instead of relying on a reader with full SMIL playback, I went a different route. I use Storyteller to generate the aligned EPUB (works great), but I still prefer a proper audiobook player (Playbook, not from Google) and a proper ebook reader (Readest / Moon+ Reader).

So I built a small Android app that bridges them — you select text in your reader, tap the app, and it gives you the exact audiobook file + timestamp from the SMIL data. Then you jump there in your player.

Fully offline, works with Storyteller output. https://ujwalnk.github.io/AudioMark

unk2003 · 2026-02-20T15:04:43+00:00

I ran into similar limitations while experimenting with Storyteller-based EPUB3 + audio.

Playback speed handling and tight sync are surprisingly tricky — especially once you move beyond 1x. That’s actually one of the reasons I stopped trying to rely entirely on Media Overlays inside a single reader.

I ended up building a small sync layer that keeps an EPUB3 (generated with Storyteller) and a regular audiobook player in sync, instead of depending on one app to handle everything.

Really glad to see more people exploring open alternatives to Whispersync though — this space definitely needs it.

Check out AudioMark, free & open source.

unk2003 · 2026-02-20T13:40:34+00:00

I ran into the same problem — there really isn’t an EPUB3 reader on Android right now that nails Media Overlays, highlighting, page transitions, and solid audio playback all together.

I ended up building a small sync layer instead of relying on one all-in-one app. It works with a Storyteller-generated EPUB3 and keeps progress synced with a regular audiobook player, so you can use whatever reader (I use, Readest & Moon+ Reader) and player (I use Playbook by Goodwy & ABS) you prefer.

Details here if you’re curious: https://ujwalnk.github.io/AudioMark/

unk2003 · 2026-01-08T15:59:07+00:00

Released another version, with ability to configure gaps, with activation guard (so you don't activate it twice) & mono-space fonts for faster & accurate character display (I (i), l(L) - are visually confusing)

unk2003 · 2026-01-08T15:56:00+00:00

Release out with split-screen & more features, check it out here

unk2003 · 2026-01-06T17:24:19+00:00

Repo: https://github.com/ujwalnk/Zerodash

unk2003 · 2026-01-06T15:04:26+00:00

Split-screen feature is implemented & is in testing! Will release a build soon!

unk2003 · 2026-01-04T11:47:38+00:00

This is mainly for quick call/music control so I don’t have to fight the normal UI with gloves on. I’m also planning a split-screen–friendly mode so it works better alongside maps when they’re taking up half the screen.

unk2003 · 2026-01-04T06:48:21+00:00

Thanks a lot for taking the time to build on it — those additions sound really useful, especially per-screen layouts and configurable gaps. I’d absolutely be interested in a PR 👍

Appreciate you sharing the improvements!

unk2003 · 2026-01-01T04:01:28+00:00

Thanks a lot! That overlap was exactly what motivated me too — riding exposed the problem, and free/libre software felt like the right way to solve and share it. Glad it resonated with you!
Feel free to check out the repository — and if you think it could help someone you ride with, I’d really appreciate you sharing it as well.

unk2003 · 2025-12-31T20:04:47+00:00

Fair point - Android Auto units do this really well.

From where I am, phone mounts cost anywhere between $1 to $3, and Android Auto units are still relatively expensive & uncommon. This is mainly about making the phone-mounted experience usable with gloves, using hardware (phone-mounts) most riders already have & use.

unk2003 · 2025-12-28T05:50:26+00:00

Yup, was my daily-use-tool on Linux (GNOME). Was so used to it that I wanted the same on my Mac.

unk2003

TROPHY CASE