How to Remove DRM from Kindle Books in 2026 [Tested & Verified]
Summary: To remove DRM from Kindle books, you can use tools such as BookFab Kindle Converter or Calibre with the DeDRM plugin. The general process is to install the software, get your Kindle books onto your computer, and then import them into the DRM removal tool for decryption. This article will introduce 3 ways to remove DRM from Kindle books, including using Calibre, BookFab Kindle Converter and Python scripts.
Table of Contents
You may have purchased Kindle books on Amazon or subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, only to find that they can be opened only on a Kindle device or in the Kindle app. If you want to read them on other apps or devices, you will need to remove DRM from Kindle books. In this guide, I will introduce the three best free Kindle DRM removal tools, Calibre, BookFab, and Python scripts, and show you how to use them to remove Kindle DRM easily.
- Kindle DRM is Amazon's digital rights management technology that limits how Kindle books can be accessed, copied, or transferred. Most Kindle books are DRM-protected, so they can usually be read only on Kindle devices or in the Kindle app.
- BookFab Kindle Converter proved to be the most reliable tool to remove DRM from Kindle books, especially for KFX formatted books. Its one-click decryption and format conversion feature makes it suitable for all users.
- Using Calibre to remove Kindle DRM requires installing the additional DeDRM plugin, as well as a KFX plugin (if you need to process KFX format books).
- The Python scripts approach is recommended as a backup method because it is more difficult to use.
- This article is strictly for educational purposes. Please ensure you only remove DRM from Kindle books you legally own, and solely for personal use.
Quick Guide: Choose the Best Kindle DRM Removal Method
Since this guide covers many different methods to remove DRM from Kindle books, you can save time by choosing the one that best fits your needs based on supported formats, ease of use, and the scenarios it works best for.
| Kindle DRM Removal Tool | OS | Supported Books | Supported Kindle Formats | Pros | Ease of Use | Best For |
| BookFab Kindle Converter | Win, macOS (coming soon) | Purchased Kindle books; Kindle Unlimited books | MOBI, AZW, AZW3, KFX | Professional DRM removal capability; includes a free BookFab Calibre Plugin for use inside Calibre | Easy | Users who want a simple, reliable workflow and stable KFX DRM removal |
| Calibre + DeDRM Plugin | Win, macOS, Linux | Purchased Kindle books | MOBI, AZW, AZW3; KFX (limited and less stable) | Free and open-source; also useful for library management | Medium | Users with AZW/AZW3 books and ebook organization needs |
| Python Scripts | Win, macOS | Purchased Kindle books | MOBI, AZW, AZW3 | Free and open-source | Very Hard | Advanced users who prefer manual, script-based tools |
Method 1: Remove DRM from Kindle Books with Calibre
OS: Windows, macOS, Linux (Kindle DRM removal on Mac/Linux is highly restricted)
Calibre is the undisputed king of library management. It is free, open‑source, and infinitely customizable. It can also be used to remove Kindle DRM, but Calibre DRM removal capabilities rely entirely on the "DeDRM" plugin, which must be downloaded and installed manually. I tested the latest version of Calibre (v9.5.0) and DeDRM (v7.2.1) on Windows 10 and found that they are still quite effective at decrypting Kindle DRM. Below are the specific steps on how to remove DRM from Kindle books with Calibre and the DeDRM plugin.
How to Remove DRM from Kindle Books with Calibre and Kindle App
Step 1: Install Kindle for PC/Mac and Download Kindle Books
Install the Kindle desktop app. I recommend using a version earlier than Kindle for PC 2.4.0, as it offers better compatibility with Calibre.
Launch the Kindle app and sign in with your Amazon account. Once your library appears, right-click the book you want to unlock and select "Download." On Windows, the downloaded books are usually stored in your local folder: C:\Users\Username\Documents\My Kindle Content. On macOS, downloaded Kindle files are commonly stored in: ~/Library/Containers/com.amazon.Kindle/Data/Library/Application Support/Kindle/My Kindle Content/.
Step 2: Install Calibre and Dedrm Plugins
Download the latest version of Calibre (9.7.0) from the official website and install it. Then, download the DeDRM plugin (v7.2.1) from the GitHub apprenticeharper/DeDRM_tools page. Once downloaded, extract the package to obtain the DeDRM_plugin.zip file.
Open Calibre, go to "Preferences > Plugins > Load plugin from file" and select the DeDRM_plugin.zip file. Follow the prompts to confirm the installation. After the installation, restart Calibre to activate the plugin.
Step 3: Install KFX plugin (Optional)
If your Kindle books are in KFX format, you must also install the KFX Input plugin so Calibre can properly recognize the KFX format. In Calibre, go to "Preferences" > "Plugins" > "Get new plugins", search for "KFX Input" in the search bar, select the plugin from the list, and click "Install." Click "Yes" on the confirmation dialog that pops up, and finally restart Calibre to activate the plugin.
Step 4: Import Downloaded Books to Calibre
Open Calibre and click "Add books" to select the files from the Kindle content folder, or simply drag and drop them directly into the main window. The Kindle DRM is removed automatically upon import.
How to Remove Kindle DRM with Calibre and a Kindle E-Reader
Removing Kindle DRM on Mac and Linux through the Kindle app is difficult because of compatibility issues. For macOS and Linux users, the most reliable method is to import books from a physical Kindle device. Below are the detailed steps to remove Kindle DRM with Calibre and a Kindle e-reader.
Step 1: Install Calibre and Plugins
Download and install Calibre to your computer. Then download the DeDRM plugin from GitHub, extract the DeDRM_plugin.zip file, and install it via "Preferences" > "Plugins" > "Load plugin from file". Restart Calibre to activate the plugin. If necessary, also install the KFX Input plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to Steps 2 and 3 in the previous section.
Step 2: Configure the DeDRM Plugin
To decrypt books from a physical device, Calibre needs your Kindle's unique serial number.
1. On your physical Kindle device, go to "Settings > Device Options > Device Info". Write down the "Serial Number".
2. In Calibre, go to "Preferences > Plugins".
3. Find the DeDRM plugin under "File type plugins" and click "Customize plugin."
4. Select "eInk Kindle ebooks" and click the green plus (+) icon.
5. Enter your Kindle's Serial Number and click OK.
Step 3: Import Downloaded Books to Calibre
Connect your Kindle to your computer via USB, then open Calibre and click Add books. Navigate to your Kindle drive and open the documents folder. From there, select the books you want to decrypt and click Open. As the files are imported, the KFX DRM removal tool will automatically remove the DRM from your eBooks.
1. The book is in KFX format
KFX books also require the KFX Input plugin. DeDRM alone is not enough.
2. The book is from Kindle Unlimited
Calibre usually supports purchased Kindle books only, not books borrowed through Kindle Unlimited. For Kindle Unlimited books, use BookFab Kindle Converter instead.
3. Downgrade Kindle for PC to v2.4.70940. You can uninstall the current version, install 2.4.70940, and re-download your books. It is also better to disable automatic updates.
Method 2: Remove DRM from Kindle Books with BookFab
OS: Windows 11/10 (32/64-bit), macOS (coming soon)
BookFab Kindle Converter is a dedicated Kindle DRM removal tool that supports AZW, AZW3, and KFX formats. It works together with Kindle for PC app (any version), and can remove DRM from both Kindle books you've purchased and Kindle Unlimited books. The tool does not require any plugins, and after decryption it converts Kindle books to PDF or EPUB formats. I've been using BookFab Kindle Converter since 2025, and after Amazon tightened its Kindle ecosystem, it is also able to handle the new "hardened KFX" format.
As the best companion to Calibre, BookFab also offers a free BookFab Calibre Plugin that brings its Kindle DRM removal features directly into Calibre. This plugin allows users to remove DRM from Kindle books within Calibre itself. Compared with the Calibre DeDRM plugin, it provides more stable support for Kindle KFX formats and Kindle Unlimited books. For long-time Calibre users, it is a convenient option because decrypted books are automatically added to the Calibre library for easy management and reading.
- When you purchase BookFab Kindle Converter, you also receive a free lifetime license for the BookFab Calibre Plugin. Both BookFab Kindle Converter and the BookFab Calibre Plugin offer a free trial, each allowing you to remove DRM from up to 3 books.
This section will explain how to remove Kindle DRM with BookFab Kindle Converter and the BookFab Calibre Plugin.
How to Remove DRM from Kindle Books with BookFab Kindle Converter
Step 1: Install Kindle for PC and Download Books
Download and install Kindle for PC from Amazon. Open the app and log in to your Amazon/Kindle account.
In the "Library > Books", you will see all your purchased Kindle books and Kindle Unlimited books. Find the book you want to decrypt and double-click the cover to download Kindle books. Alternatively, you can right-click the cover and select "Download." Wait for the download to finish. Your books will be stored in the default folder: C:\Users\Username\Documents\My Kindle Content.
Step 2: Install BookFab and Select Kindle DRM Removal Module
Install and open BookFab. In the left sidebar, select the "Kindle Converter" tab. Click the Refresh button, and BookFab will automatically detect all books downloaded via Kindle for PC and display them in the main interface.
Step 3: Remove DRM from Kindle Books
If you have specific output requirements, click the "hamburger icon" in the top-right corner, click "Settings > Book Downloads > Kindle Converter". Then, select your preferred format (PDF, EPUB, or Original) under "Output Formats", change the saving path, and click "OK" to save your settings.
Return to the main interface, select the books you want to process, and click the "Convert & Decrypt" button. Your DRM-free files will be saved in the designated output folder. If you convert the books to EPUB format, you can also click the "e" icon on the book cover to turn them into audiobooks.
1. Restart Kindle for PC and refresh BookFab: Close and reopen Kindle for PC, then click the Refresh button in BookFab Kindle Converter.
2. Check whether the Kindle for PC download folder matches BookFab's scanning path. Make sure these two paths are exactly the same:
BookFab: Three-line icon > Settings > Book Downloads > Kindle Converter > Kindle eBook Scanning Path
Kindle for PC: Tools > Options > Content > Current Content Folder
How to Remove Kindle DRM with BookFab Calibre Plugin
Step 1: Download Your Books with Kindle for PC
Download and install Kindle for PC, then open the app and sign in to your Amazon account. In the Library, find the Kindle book you want to decrypt and double-click the cover to download it, or right-click it and select "Download".
Step 2: Install BookFab, Calibre, and the BookFab Calibre Plugin
Download and install BookFab and Calibre on your computer. Then download the Bookfab Calibre Plugin.zip file.
Open Calibre, go to "Preferences" > "Plugins", and choose "Load plugin from file." Select the downloaded zip file to install it, then restart the app to activate the plugin. You will now see a "Remove DRM" tool in your top toolbar.
Step 3: Import Kindle Books to Calibre and Remove Kindle DRM
Open Calibre and click Add books to import your downloaded Kindle books into the library. Once imported, select the target book in Calibre and click the "Remove DRM" button in the top toolbar. The software will call the BookFab engine to do heavy lifting, usually finishing the decryption in less than 5 seconds per book. After the process is complete, the DRM-free books will remain in your Calibre library, you can transfer the files to other devices and read Kindle books on iPhone or iPad.
Video Tutorial on How to Remove Kindle DRM with BookFab
Method 3: Remove Kindle DRM with Python Scripts
Besides using dedicated Kindle DRM removal software like BookFab and Calibre, tech-savvy users can also remove Kindle DRM using Python scripts. Here is how:
Step 1: Install Python
Most Kindle DRM removal scripts are written for Python 2.x, so you need to install Python on your computer first. The most commonly used version for this purpose is Python 2.7.
Step 2: Install PyCrypto
DRM removal scripts require PyCrypto to decrypt key data. You need to download and install the version that matches your system:
- Windows: pycrypto‑2.1.0.win32‑py2.6.exe (or a similar compatible version)
- Mac / Linux: Download pycrypto‑2.6.1.tar.gz, then extract it and run python setup.py install inside that folder
Step 3: Download a Python DRM Removal Script
There are several Python scripts in the community that can remove Kindle DRM. One commonly used example is the kindle_dedrm script. Download kindle_dedrm script here: https://github.com/ch33s3w0rm/kindle_dedrm
Step 4: Run the Script in the Command Line to Remove Kindle DRM
Open your terminal or command prompt, change to the directory containing the Python script, and run:
python kindle_dedrm.py
When the script runs, it will ask you to enter:
- The path of the Kindle file you want to decrypt
- The output file path
- The key information (either the Kindle device serial number or a key file extracted from Kindle for PC/Mac)
After you enter these details, the tool will begin to remove the DRM from the Kindle book. Once decryption is complete, you can find the resulting file in the output folder (generally as an unencrypted MOBI or AZW3 file).
FAQ
It is absolutely illegal to remove DRM for the purpose of pirating, sharing, or selling copyrighted content. For personal use, like backing up your library or reading on a different device you own, is generally considered "Fair Use" in many regions. Regardless, please carefully read Amazon's terms and your local copyright laws before removing DRM to ensure you are not infringing on anyone's rights.
What is Kindle DRM and why is it so hard to remove?
Kindle DRM is a layer of encryption that locks an eBook to your Amazon account or device, preventing sharing or conversion. Even if a book is in AZW3 or KFX format, it might still be protected.
DRM removal means unlocking this encryption so users can back up purchased books or read them on non-Kindle devices. But Amazon has made it harder — on Feb 26, 2025, they removed the "Download & Transfer via USB" option, breaking many old workflows. As a result, users now rely on specialized tools like BookFab Kindle Converter or Calibre with plugins to remove DRM and convert KFX or AZW3 to PDF and other DRM-free formats.
The most common way to check is to look at the product details page on Amazon for that specific eBook. Check the "Product Details" section for a line called "Simultaneous Device Usage." Generally, unless it is a free classic in the public domain, the vast majority of books you purchase on Kindle are DRM-protected.
It depends, as different stores use different types of DRM encryption.
If it is an official Amazon DRM file and you are reading it on a Kindle device or app linked to your own account, then you can open the DRM file.
If the DRM comes from another store (like Adobe Digital Editions) or if you try to open a friend's DRM-locked file on your device, that simply won't work. To read books from other sources or accounts, you'll need to strip the DRM first.
This depends on the tool you are using. Some tools require a "two-step" process, while others do it all at once.
The Two-Step Method (e.g., Calibre): You first import the book to remove the DRM. After that, the book is still in its original format (like AZW3 or KFX). You then have to click the "Convert" button separately to change it into an EPUB or PDF.
The All-in-One Method (e.g., BookFab Kindle Converter): Tools like BookFab are much faster because they combine everything. You just pick your output format, such as PDF, and the software decrypts and converts KFX to PDF in one single click.
You can't "turn off" DRM in the Kindle settings. It's not a feature you can toggle on or off. DRM is an encryption layer baked into the book file itself when you download it from Amazon's servers. The only way to "turn it off" is to use one of the decryption methods mentioned in this guide to create a new, DRM-free copy of the file.
What are AZW, AZW3, and KFX Formats?
Kindle books use several proprietary formats from Amazon:
- AZW & MOBI are older legacy formats based on the original Mobipocket/MOBI standard. They are simpler in structure and easier for tools to process.
- AZW3 (also called Kindle Format 8 or KF8) introduced richer styling and layout support (HTML5/CSS3) and was the main format for many years.
- KFX (Kindle Format 10) is the current Kindle format used by modern devices and apps. KFX files are more complex internally, often split into parts for text, images, and fonts, and use a stronger encryption system — which is one major reason why many free DRM removal tools struggle with KFX books.
Conclusion
Removing DRM from Kindle books has become more difficult since Amazon strengthened KFX encryption in 2025. However, based on my own testing, the three free Kindle DRM removal tools above are still effective in 2026. Among them, BookFab Kindle Converter offers the highest success rate and the simplest workflow, making it a strong choice for users who prefer a more straightforward solution without dealing with technical details. Calibre with the DeDRM plugin remains the best free option, although version compatibility requires extra attention. For users who want to keep Calibre’s library management features while using a more reliable Kindle DRM removal solution, the BookFab Calibre Plugin stands out as the best option.
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