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How to Remove DRM From Kindle Books in 2025

Digital Rights Management (DRM) refers to a set of access control technologies used by publishers and distributors to restrict the use, modification, and distribution of digital content. In the world of eBooks, DRM acts as a digital lock, embedded into files to limit how and where readers can access them. Amazon applies DRM to many Kindle books sold through its platform, tying purchased content to specific registered devices or apps.

Unlike traditional ownership of a physical book, purchasing an eBook under DRM enforcement doesn’t constitute full ownership. Instead, users receive a license to access the content under predefined terms—terms that typically prevent lending, copying, or converting the file to other formats. DRM protection ensures publishers retain control over distribution but also restricts consumer flexibility, even for legally acquired content. In 2025, with the evolution of digital ecosystems and personal reading preferences, understanding how to manage these restrictions matters more than ever.

The Kindle Ecosystem: Devices, Content, and Cloud Integration

Amazon Kindle Devices and Apps

Amazon's Kindle platform spans multiple hardware and software solutions. It includes the dedicated Kindle e-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite, Oasis, and Scribe, as well as a fully integrated suite of Kindle apps for devices running iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. Each device or app syncs reading progress, bookmarks, and annotations across the Amazon ecosystem using the Whispersync technology. Whether someone uses a Windows laptop or an iPhone 15, the Kindle app delivers a consistent experience focused on access and continuity.

The Kindle for PC and Kindle for Mac applications let users read books on desktop interfaces with keyboard navigation and larger displays. On mobile devices, the apps are optimized with touch-friendly controls and offline reading. Most of these versions connect directly with a user's Amazon account, allowing instant download of purchased materials from the cloud.

Download and Storage Behavior

When a Kindle eBook is purchased, Amazon stores it on its cloud servers linked to the purchaser’s account. There's no tangible “file download” in a traditional sense until the book is actively sent to a device or app. At that point, the book becomes stored—usually encrypted—on that particular device. On eReaders, the download happens automatically over Wi-Fi or cellular networks. For apps, users choose when and what to download.

The file location and format vary depending on the platform. For Kindle for PC/Mac, files usually reside in hidden system folders, often with the extension .azw, .kfx, or .azw3. These files are protected by Amazon’s DRM and are typically not usable outside the Kindle ecosystem unless modified.

Types of Kindle Content

The Kindle system manages various types of digital content, each handled slightly differently:

In recent software updates, Amazon expanded support for additional formats like EPUB through automated conversion, although DRM remains enforced post-conversion when the source is purchased content. Readers who send personal documents using the "Send to Kindle" feature will find them syncing across their cloud devices, just like purchased books, except without most DRM restrictions.

Kindle eBook Formats in 2025: What You’re Actually Downloading

Common File Extensions You’ll Encounter

As of 2025, Kindle supports four primary eBook file formats, each with distinct characteristics and implications for DRM:

Which Formats Kindle Uses – And What That Means for DRM

When purchasing or transferring content to a Kindle device or app in 2025, these are the behaviors to expect:

Thus, DRM is format-dependent and delivery-method dependent. KFX almost always implies active encryption, while MOBI and user-sent EPUBs often do not.

How to Identify Your Kindle Book’s File Type

Before attempting any DRM removal, pinpointing the exact file format of your Kindle eBook is non-negotiable. Here’s how to do that:

Recognizing the format determines not only the strength and type of DRM but also which tools and plugins you’ll need in the next steps of the process.

What Does “Buying” a Kindle Book Actually Mean? Licensing vs Ownership in 2025

When You Buy a Kindle eBook, You’re Not Buying the Book

Despite the word “Buy” appearing next to the checkout button on Amazon, the transaction doesn't grant full ownership. Instead, users purchase a license to access the digital content under specific terms and limitations. This license, governed by Amazon’s Kindle Store Terms of Use, grants the right to read the eBook on compatible apps or devices, but restricts duplication, modification, resale, and lending beyond Amazon’s ecosystem.

Amazon retains the legal right to modify or even revoke that access. For example, in 2009, Amazon remotely deleted copies of George Orwell’s 1984 from users’ devices, citing licensing issues with the publisher. That event underscored the difference between owning a printed book and holding a digital license.

Limitations That Come with Kindle eBook Licensing

How DRM Enforces Licensing Restrictions

Digital Rights Management (DRM) software plays the enforcer role behind these licensing terms. Amazon embeds DRM into Kindle eBooks to control how the content is accessed and shared. This system prevents:

Through this enforced ecosystem, Amazon ensures every reader remains within its digital infrastructure, with limited control over long-term access to the content they have paid for. Ask yourself: does holding a license align with what you actually expect when you hit “Buy”?

Legal and Ethical Considerations Before Removing DRM

Understanding the Legal Landscape in Different Countries

Digital rights management (DRM) protection on Kindle books is legally supported in many countries under copyright and anti-circumvention laws. In the United States, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) classifies DRM removal as illegal, even for personal use, unless a specific exemption applies under Section 1201. As of 2025, the Librarian of Congress continues to grant limited exemptions, such as for accessibility purposes or archival for libraries, but these are narrowly defined.

European Union member states fall under the EU Copyright Directive, which also prohibits DRM circumvention but allows certain exceptions for personal use—depending on national implementation. For example, Germany’s copyright law permits format-shifting for personal use under strict conditions, while France enforces stronger DRM protection with more limited exceptions.

In Canada, the Copyright Modernization Act restricts DRM removal, though it allows limited personal use exemptions. Australia mirrors this with its Copyright Act 1968, yet remains ambiguous about tools that facilitate DRM circumvention. Laws in countries such as India and Brazil are generally more lenient on format-shifting for personal archives, but individual cases can vary.

Personal Use vs Redistribution

Removing DRM for redistribution—such as uploading Kindle books to public forums, file-sharing networks, or even sharing with friends—violates copyright law in virtually every jurisdiction. Courts consistently treat it as unauthorized copying and distribution.

Personal use, however, exists in a gray area. Many users justify DRM removal to back up legally purchased content or to transfer it between personal devices that do not support the Kindle format. While some jurisdictions are more tolerant of this behavior under the doctrine of fair use or fair dealing, it still technically conflicts with the license terms that users accept when buying Kindle content.

Respecting the Intentions of Authors and Publishers

Ethical questions arise even in scenarios where DRM removal does not violate the law. Authors and publishers rely on DRM to enforce licensing agreements, control pricing structures, and protect against unauthorized copying. Bypassing DRM can undermine their control over distribution—and ultimately their revenue.

Consider how removing DRM affects smaller independent authors who distribute exclusively through Amazon. Many rely on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) royalties, structured around Amazon’s protection of their intellectual property. Even when acting for personal use, detaching a book from Amazon’s ecosystem disconnects it from the metrics that support these creators.

This doesn't mean all DRM removal is inherently unethical. The motivation behind the act and the subsequent use of the file matter. Is the intent to build a flexible, private reading library that spans devices? Or to bypass licensing limitations as a step toward unauthorized sharing? The answer changes the ethical evaluation.

This Content Serves Educational Purposes

This article provides information intended solely for educational and informational use. It does not provide legal advice, and no part should be interpreted as a recommendation to violate applicable laws or licensing agreements.

Always consult copyright legislation in your specific jurisdiction and consider speaking with legal counsel if in doubt about what is permissible under current law.

Tools You’ll Need to Remove DRM in 2025

To successfully remove DRM from Kindle books in 2025, a reliable workflow requires the correct combination of legacy apps, current software, and updated plugins. Compatibility is everything. As Amazon continues to update its infrastructure, working versions must be carefully selected to avoid unexpected DRM-breaking issues.

1. Calibre (Latest Version for Windows, macOS, Linux)

Calibre remains the foundational tool for managing eBooks and processing DRM removal. As of 2025, version 7.x adds performance gains and improved plugin handling across all major operating systems. It supports drag-and-drop of files, optimized metadata editing, and seamless integration with DRM removal modules via its plugin system.

The core strength of Calibre lies in its open-source model. Development continues to be community-driven, and with regular updates, functionality remains aligned with ongoing changes in Kindle formatting and encryption schemes.

2. DeDRM Plugin (2025-Compatible Edition)

The DeDRM Plugin is the critical layer that enables Calibre to unlock Kindle DRM. In 2025, the forked and updated plugin—maintained by key contributors from the original project—supports both AZW and KFX files retrieved from compatible legacy apps and devices.

Version 10.0 of the plugin includes:

Installation takes place directly through Calibre’s plugin interface, with key handling dependent on the source of the downloaded Kindle files.

3. Kindle for PC/Mac (Legacy Version as of Early 2025)

Not all versions of Kindle for desktop applications allow DRM bypassing. The ones released post-2020 began hardening against key extraction. As of early 2025, only legacy versions—specifically Kindle for PC 1.17 through 1.24—remain compatible with DeDRM plugins.

These versions store decryption keys locally in a format readable by the plugin. Newer editions mask or encrypt keys beyond reach. To work effectively:

Platform-specific versions behave differently, with macOS occasionally requiring emulated environments or virtual machines to run older builds reliably.

4. Third-Party DRM Removal Tools (Brief Mention with Caution)

Third-party tools—such as Epubor Ultimate, Any eBook Converter, and similar utilities—offer graphical interfaces and one-click processing. In 2025, some show compatibility with KFX files and newer AZW3 formats, but most rely on outdated Kindle app assumptions or unauthorized key extraction techniques.

They often promise universal decryption but rarely provide consistent results. Users typically turn to them when plugin-based solutions fail or when dealing with edge cases, such as Kindle Kids Edition downloads.

Functionality may change without notice following an Amazon backend update, breaking entire workflows overnight.

How to Download Your Kindle Books for DRM Removal

Accessing Your Amazon Account

Begin by visiting https://www.amazon.com and logging in with the Amazon account associated with your Kindle purchases. Use the same email and password you normally use to shop or access Kindle services.

Locating Your Kindle Library

After logging in, hover over the “Accounts & Lists” menu at the top right of the homepage. From the dropdown, click on “Manage Your Content and Devices.” This opens the dashboard where all your Kindle purchases are listed. The content is sorted by recent activity by default, but you can filter or search by title if needed.

Downloading for USB Transfer (Kindle E-Ink Devices)

For Kindle e-ink models like the Paperwhite or Oasis, you’ll need to download the books in a format compatible with DRM removal tools. Follow these steps:

This process embeds the device-specific encryption required to later remove DRM using the appropriate tools. Files downloaded for USB transfer use the legacy Kindle DRM that’s more easily addressed with current DeDRM plugins.

Downloading for Kindle for PC or Mac

If you use the Kindle desktop app, ensure you're running version 1.17 or earlier. Newer versions use KFX format with enhanced DRM that isn't supported by most DRM removal methods.

Verify that the downloaded file uses the .azw or .mobi extension—KFX files will require additional workarounds or downgrading the Kindle for PC app. For reliable DRM removal, stick to formats created by Kindle for PC/Mac 1.17 and earlier.

Installing Calibre and the DeDRM Plugin

Before removing DRM from Kindle books, Calibre must be installed along with a compatible DeDRM plugin. Calibre is the industry-standard eBook management tool—it handles conversion, editing, and metadata. The DeDRM plugin unlocks Amazon's DRM scheme, enabling content to be used freely across devices. The setup process varies depending on your operating system.

Installing Calibre from the Official Website

Calibre can be downloaded directly from the official website:

https://calibre-ebook.com/

Windows Installation Steps

macOS Installation Steps (Including Gatekeeper Workaround)

Open Terminal and enter:

sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine /Applications/calibre.app

Linux Installation Steps

sudo -v && wget -nv -O- https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh | sudo sh /dev/stdin

Installing the DeDRM Plugin for Calibre

After installing Calibre, integrate the DeDRM plugin to enable DRM removal.

Once installed, the plugin prepares Calibre to strip DRM from imported Kindle files, but key configuration happens in the next step.

Setting Up the DeDRM Plugin in Calibre

Adding the DeDRM Plugin to Calibre

Begin by launching Calibre and opening the Preferences menu. Click on Plugins under the Advanced section. Once in the Plugins window, select Load plugin from file. Navigate to the folder where you’ve downloaded the DeDRM Tools ZIP file and choose the plugin folder inside. The correct plugin file will typically have the name DeDRM_plugin.zip, even though it’s already within a compressed archive—there’s no need to unzip further.

After adding it, Calibre will prompt a security warning. Approve it to proceed. You’ll see the DeDRM plugin appear in the list under File type plugins. Restart Calibre to activate the changes.

Configuring the Plugin

The plugin won’t work without being configured to recognize your Kindle eBooks. Open the Preferences window again, scroll to the bottom, and click Plugins. Select File type plugins → DeDRM, then hit Customize plugin.

Using the Kindle Serial Number Method

For books loaded directly from an E-Ink Kindle, the serial number of the device is required. In the configuration window, go to eInk Kindle ebooks and click Add. Enter the serial number of your Kindle device (no spaces or dashes; case-sensitive) and save the settings.

Using Kindle for PC/Mac Key Extraction

If you download Kindle books via Kindle for PC or Mac, this method offers a cleaner approach. Under Kindle for Mac/PC ebooks in the plugin settings, click Add. The plugin automatically attempts to detect and extract the proper key from your system’s Kindle app storage folder.

Make sure you’ve launched the Kindle app at least once and downloaded a book to ensure the key is stored locally. On newer macOS versions, be aware that extra permissions may be needed due to system-level security updates introduced after macOS Ventura.

Best Practices for Plugin Compatibility and Updates in 2025

Now that the plugin is installed and properly configured, Calibre is ready to begin removing DRM during the import process of compatible Kindle files.

Removing DRM from Your Kindle eBooks – Step by Step

Start With Calibre

Open Calibre on your computer. This is the control center for everything you're about to do. If the DeDRM plugin was installed and configured correctly, the software is now ready to process DRM-protected Kindle books.

Import the eBook

Drag and drop your downloaded Kindle eBook file—typically an .azw3 or .kfx file—into the Calibre window. Alternatively, you can click on Add books in the top menu and navigate to where your file is stored.

As soon as the import completes, Calibre runs the DeDRM plugin automatically. There's no visible pop-up or confirmation, but the plugin silently attempts to remove the DRM during the import process.

Check DRM Removal Success

Select the imported eBook in your Calibre library. Click View from the upper menu.

If the book opens in Calibre’s built-in eBook viewer without error, the DRM has been successfully removed. However, if a message appears indicating that the content is still protected or unreadable, the DRM removal failed—likely due to incorrect Kindle serial configuration in the plugin settings.

Convert to Other Formats

Once the DRM is gone, file conversions become frictionless. Select the book in the library, then click Convert books in the toolbar. A new window opens with format options at the top-right corner.

Specify your conversion settings—such as metadata, output encoding, and layout behavior—then click OK. Calibre handles the transformation within seconds.

Where Your New Files Live

After conversion, right-click the book in your Calibre library and select Open containing folder. Here you’ll find the DRM-free versions neatly organized in folders based on author and title.

This process unlocks your Kindle book for use beyond Amazon's walled garden. You can now read it on any device, store it locally, or even annotate it with apps of your choosing. What format will you convert your titles into first?

Taking Ownership of Your eBook Library in 2025

Removing DRM from Kindle books in 2025 puts you back in the driver’s seat. You regain the flexibility to manage, backup, and read your purchased titles the way you want—across devices, platforms, and even decades from now.

This guide walks through the process with a focus on responsible usage. Every step—from selecting the right tools to archiving your collection—centers on one goal: enabling fair and personal use of content you’ve paid for, without undermining the rights of authors or publishers. Respecting licensing agreements while enhancing your reading freedom sets a balanced precedent for digital ownership.

Tool ecosystems continue to evolve. Developers update plugins, improve compatibility, and add support for new formats. Staying informed makes a difference. Bookmark key sources, participate in reader forums, and check for updates regularly.