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EPUB is the standard format for digital reading because its layout automatically adjusts to different screen sizes. However, most ebooks you buy from platforms like Kobo, Google Play, or Nook are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM), which prevents you from reading your purchased books on other apps or devices. To help you get full access to your library, this guide will introduce two free EPUB DRM removal tools and show you exactly how to remove DRM from EPUB with a simple tutorial.

How to remove DRM from epub

Before EPUB DRM Removal: Identify Your EPUB DRM Type

Before you begin the EPUB DRM removal process, you must first identify which type of "digital lock" is securing your ebook. Currently, the majority of DRM-protected ebooks fall into the following two categories:

  1. Kobo DRM (.kEPUB): This is Kobo's proprietary format. While it is based on the standard EPUB, it features unique structural optimizations that typically require a specialized converter to decrypt and restore to a standard format.
  2. Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) DRM: As the most widely compatible encryption scheme, this is the industry standard. It is used by Google Play Books, public libraries (via OverDrive/Libby), and the vast majority of independent online bookstores.

So, how to choose the free EPUB DRM method? Here is a comparison between two free EPUB DRM removal tooks I'll share in this blog:

Feature Calibre BookFab Kobo Converter
Difficulty Complex setup Beginner-friendly
Key Advantage 100% Free; Open-source & versatile Plugin-free; Auto-sync & instant decryption
Best For Tech-savvy users; supports DRM removal for EPUB ebooks from various stores, such as Kobo, Adobe and Google Play Porfessional Kobo EPUB DRM removal; prefer efficiency; batch processing Kobo libraries

Method 1: How to Remove DRM from EPUB via Calibre

If you prefer a free tool to remove DRM from EPUB, or your ebook collection spans multiple platforms (such as Adobe, Google Play, and Kobo), using Calibre with DeDRM, Obok, and related plugins is one of the most common DRM removal workflows available. Once set up properly, Calibre will automatically remove DRM when you import protected EPUB files, letting you read or convert them freely across devices.

How to remove DRM from ePub with Calibre

 Features
  • There are many plugins are available for DRM removal and continuous updates
  • It is open-source software without any payment or subscription
  • Compatible with almost all ebook formats, including ePub, MOBI, AZW, PDF, KFX, etc
  • Offer format conversion, eBook editing, metadata customization, and powerful library management
  • Organize a library of electronic books, including by title, author, tag, and more
  • Run on Windows, macOS and Linux to meet the needs of users of different systems
❌Cons 
  • Requires technical setup to enable DRM removal (plugin installation is manual)
  • Many functions are hidden in the menus and take time to familiarize with
  • Calibre does not support DRM removal by default and requires users to install plug-ins (such as Apprentice Alf's DeDRM Tools)

Step 1: Prepare Free EPUB DRM Removal Tools

Download and install the latest version of Calibre from the official site.

Go to the DeDRM_tools GitHub Releases page and download the latest ZIP archive. Extract it to a folder, and you will find at least two plugin ZIPs:

  • DeDRM_plugin.zip: removes Adobe DRM, Kindle DRM, and more
  • Obok_plugin.zip: specifically for Kobo DRM support 

Step 2: Install Plugins in Calibre

Open Calibre and click Preferences. Select Plugins → Load plugin from file. First install DeDRM_plugin.zip, then repeat to install Obok_plugin.zip if you want to remove EPUB DRM from Kobo books. Restart Calibre so both plugins become active. 

Remove DRM from EPUB with Calibre

Step 3: Remove DRM from EPUB Files

The core idea is simple: Calibre strips DRM when you import protected ebooks. Depending on the source of the EPUBs, follow one of the workflows below.

Remove Adobe EPUB DRM (Including Google Play Books)

Many retailers and libraries use Adobe DRM (ADEPT) to protect EPUB/PDF files. This includes Google Play Books, public library loans, and many independent stores. To remove Adobe DRM, you need to first download the actual DRM-protected file using Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), then import it into Calibre.

1. Authorize Adobe Digital Editions

Download and install Adobe Digital Editions from Adobe's website. Open ADE and go to Help > Authorize Computer. Log in with the Adobe ID you used to purchase or access your books. This authorization step is crucial. Without it, ADE cannot download or open DRM-protected EPUB/PDF files. 

2. Download the Protected EPUB

Retailers using Adobe DRM typically distribute an .acsm file, not an EPUB itself. The .acsm file is a download token that ADE uses to fetch the real content. In your file manager, double-click the .acsm file. ADE will open it and download the corresponding DRM-protected EPUB or PDF. After downloading, the book appears in ADE's library. Right-click the book in ADE and choose Show in Explorer/Finder to locate the real .EPUB or .pdf file on disk. 

NOTE: Besides Adobe's own store, many other ebook platforms also use this ACSM mechanism to distribute DRM-protected books. The exact download steps vary by platform, but the general idea is the same: you first get an .acsm file instead of the actual EPUB, then open it with Adobe Digital Editions to download the real book. For example, if your EPUB comes from Google Play Books, go to the Google Play Books website, open My Books, click the menu next to the book you want, and choose Export ACSM for EPUB/PDF to download the .acsm file before opening it in ADE.  

3. Import and Strip DRM in Calibre

Open Calibre and click Add books. Navigate to the folder where ADE placed the downloaded EPUB. Select that file to import it into Calibre. Then, the DeDRM plugin will automatically detect the Adobe DRM and remove it during import. After this, the book appears in your Calibre library as a DRM-free EPUB you can read, convert, or export. 

Remove Kobo EPUB DRM

Kobo uses its own DRM variant, and the Obok plugin is designed to handle it. Once installed, Obok can pull your purchased Kobo ebooks from a desktop app or connected Kobo device and strip their DRM automatically.

1. Download Kobo Books to Your Computer

Install and open the Kobo Desktop App (Windows or macOS). Sign in with your Kobo account. Download the ebooks you want to process so they're stored on your computer. 

2. Import and Decrypt with Obok

Close the Kobo Desktop App to ensure ebook files are not in use. Open Calibre and click Add books. Select the Kobo files (.kEPUB or .EPUB) you just downloaded. The Obok plugin will detect the Kobo DRM, remove it, and add the decrypted book to your Calibre library. The resulting files will be standard DRM-free EPUBs ready for reading or converting.

guide to removing DRM from ePub using BookFab

NOTE: After dragging your book into Calibre, there are two easy ways to verify whether the DRM has been removed: 1) Open it directly in the reader: If Calibre's built-in ebook viewer opens the book and displays the content normally, that indicates the DRM has been removed. 2) Check the format and conversion: If the book shows the format as EPUB in your library and you can click "Convert books" to convert it to Kindle formats like AZW3 or MOBI without any DRM errors, then the decryption was successful. 

Method 2: How to Remove DRM from EPUB with BookFab Kobo Converter

If you're tired of installing a bunch of plugins, BookFab Kobo Converter is the most recommended free EPUB DRM removal tool. It strips DRM protection from purchased Kobo eBooks, and converts DRM-protected EPUB into open EPUB or PDF formats, making them readable on different devices and applications. It includes an integrated browser that lets you sign in to your Kobo account directly, so you can access your library and remove DRM from EPUB files without switching between tools and installing any plugin. During processing, the original book metadata and formatting are maintained, ensuring your converted files stay organized and readable. The software is simple and requires no plugins. 

Features
  • Automatically removes DRM when it converts your purchased titles to standard ePub or PDF files.
  • It outputs DRM-free ePub/pdf files that you can import into Calibre, or send to other devices.
  • It works together with BookFab Audiobook Creator, so you can turn your ePub eBooks into audio.
  • Within the same BookFab suite, you can try other modules, like converting Kindle to ePub.
❌Cons 
  • It only supports eBooks purchased from the Kobo store.
  • The software requires an active internet connection to log in to your Kobo account.

With BookFab Kobo Converter, you can transform your Kobo ebook library into universally readable EPUB files in just three simple steps.

Step 1: Open BookFab Kobo Converter

Download and install BookFab Kobo Converter on your Windows computer. Once launched, choose Kobo Converter from the left sidebar. 

  Free Download
  100% Safe & Clean
 
 

Step 2: Locate and Select Your Kobo Books

The program will open a built-in secure browser that allows you to log in to your Kobo account. After you sign in, use the embedded browser to open the detail page of the Kobo book you want to convert. Once you are on the book's detail page, BookFab will automatically activate a download button for you.

guide to removing DRM from ePub using BookFab

Step 3: Remove DRM from EPUB

In the download settings window, choose the "EPUB" output format (you can also choose PDF if you need a printable file). Click Download Now and BookFab will download the file and remove DRM from Kobo. Once the task is complete, your DRM-free ebook will appear in the Library or in your local output folder. 

How to remove DRM from ePub with BookFab Kobo Converter

FAQs

Is It Legal to Remove DRM from EPUB eBooks?

The legality of DRM removal depends on your country or region. In some countries, such as the United States, personal, non-commercial use may be legal. However, circumventing DRM (even for private use) is considered illegal in many jurisdictions. Be sure to check your local copyright laws before attempting to remove DRM from eBook formats such as EPUB, Kindle, or PDF.

Is It Safe to Remove DRM from eBooks?

Yes, DRM removal is generally safe if you use trusted tools like BookFab or Calibre. However, please be aware of a security issue: avoid downloading DRM tools from unknown sources to prevent malware.

Does Removing DRM Affect EPUB File Quality or Format?

No. Removing DRM does not change the content, layout, format, or metadata of the file. The process only removes encryption that restricts access.

Can I read DRM-free EPUB files on Kindle?

Yes, but Kindle doesn't natively support EPUB. After removing DRM, we suggest you use Calibre to convert EPUB to MOBI or AZW3, and then transfer the files to Kindle device.

Conclusion

For readers who collect a lot of eBooks, knowing how to remove DRM from EPUB files can make a personal library much easier to use and keep. With the tools introduced above, you can convert Kindle to EPUB for more flexible reading, even when your Kindle books come with DRM protection. Whether you prefer a paid, user-friendly program such as BookFab or a free, more configurable option like Calibre, you can read your titles on multiple devices while using these tools responsibly and abiding by copyright rules.