If you've got some Kindle books, you've likely heard that they come with Amazon's Kindle DRM, which locks your books into Kindle devices 
and kindle reading apps. But as a consumer, when we have already paid these files, why should we be stopped from reading them just because we didn't buy a Kindle but an iPad or a Kobo e-ink reader instead? This deeply hurts us. Right?
So if you want to read Kindle books on non-Kindle devices or apps, the perfect solution is to remove the DRM. And in fact, it is also the best way to protect your purchases and enables you to read your own books more freely. Additionally, it allows you to back up, copy, print, and share Kindle books with friends.
But, how to? You may have wondered this problem for a while. Don't worry, this article will introduce 3 ways to remove drm from Kindle books. Keep reading to learn how to liberate your kindle books best.
First things first: Download Kindle books
To begin with, firstly I strongly recommend you get your kindle books prepared on your computer. If you have the Kindle e-ink device, you can just download Kindle books via your Kindle device. If you do not have Kindle device, you have to install Kindle App(Kindle for PC/Mac desktop, or Kindle Cloud Reader web app). Launch the Kindle app, log in with your own amazon account, then all your purchased files in kindle store would be synced. Choose those files you want to deal with, double click on book cover, then downloading begins. Once you have done that, you can close the app, find your downloaded books files at destination folder (kindle content folder location).
Still failed to download the Kindle title? Look at these 7 solutions when Kindle books won't download.
Method 1: Remove DRM from Kindle books with Calibre Plugin
Calibre is an excellent ebook library management tool, open source software, helps you remove drm from books and convert format to others.
Step 1 Install Calibre.
Install Calibre onto your computer if you haven't already get them installed.
Then download the latest DeDRM-tools. It comes as a .zip archive, but there is no need to unzip it, just open it up and put the "DeDRM_calibre_plugin" folder where you can find it.
Step 2 Install Calibre DeDRM Plugins.
Run Calibre on computer (here takes mac as an example, remove DRM from Kindle books with calibre mac).
From the pref pane "Preferences"--"Change calibre behavior".
( Note: Do not click “Get plugins to enhance calibre”).
Click on Plugins (under “Advanced”) --"Load plugin from file".
Select the "DeDRM_plugin.zip" file you placed in step 1 and click "Open".
Click on the “Add” button, "Yes" in the "Are you sure?" warning dialogue that appears.
After succeed the plug-in has been installed. Calibre will add this plugin under its "File type plugins" list in the Preferences window, OK. Restart Calibre please.
Step 3 Import DRMed books to Calibre.
If your kindle books are downloaded via Kindle desktop app, import your downloaded Kindle books to Calibre, then the DRM will be removed automatically. But if you've previously added books to calibre that with drm, you'd better import them again. Job done, you can click "click to open" at the right side, to get a preview in calibre library.
If your kindle books are downloaded via Kindle eReaders, you should customize the plugin and input the KSN info.
Update: (Due to a change in DRM) Calibre DeDRM plugins will no longer work with Kindle for PC/Mac version 1.25 or newer or with Kindle firmware 5.10.2 or newer.
Method 2: Remove DRM from Kindle books with Python Scripts
Notice: This method is a little hard to use, so if you are not so familiar with computer or code, I don't think challenging this way is a wise choice.
Nearly all the eBook DRM Removal softwares are Python scripts, including Calibre.
Step 1 Install Python at first.
Firstly you need Python installed on your computer.
Step 2 Install Pycrypto.
Pycrypto is a basic DRM module that all the DRM removal tools are using. Download and install it please.
For Win: pycrypto-2.1.0.win32-py2.6.exe
For Mac: pycrypto-2.6.1.tar.gz
Step 3 Run KindleBooks.pyw.
Run KindleBooks.pyw, then input the information related to Kindle Books: input file, output file, and Kindle.info. As your kindle ebooks has been downloaded to your computer via Kindle for PC/Mac, so it is easy to find the Kindle.info, because it will be created when the desktop application installed.
Method 3: Remove DRM from Kindle books with Shareware
This method is applied to both beginners and experts. And I highly recommend you get it with a free trial. I do believe after you tried it, you will fall in love with her.
Step 1 download the powerful shareware Epubor Ultimate for PC or Mac to your computer.
Step 2 Run Epubor Ultimate.
Then the kindle books downloaded via Kindle for PC or Mac will be displayed under Kindle column in the left sidebar, while the Kindle books downloaded via Kindle devices will be displayed under Kindle Device column in the left sidebar after connecting Kindle e-ink reader to computer.
Step 3 Rip the Kindle DRM.
Add the Kindle books from the left sidebar to the right main window. Then all the books will be decrypted immediately.
Failed to remove DRM from Kindle for PC/Mac (.azw)I download Kindle books from Kindle for PC/Mac latest versions, but can't decrypt DRM from the Kindle books. Why?
Now there is no way to remove DRM from the latest version of Kindle for PC/Mac. If you are using Windows, please download your books from Kindle for PC V1.32 version. If you are using Mac, please use Kindle for Mac V1.31. Following are the detailed steps you can follow.
For Windows users: Remove Kindle DRM on Windows [2023 Guide].
For Mac users: Patch Kindle for Mac on Mac Catalina (Or Big Sur/Monterey)
It uses python scripts but much more easily to operate than method 2.
It provides more friendly interface than Calibre. Of course it's also easier than calibre to learn how to use.
Key Takeaways1. To active the drm-removing function on Calibre, you need to install extra drm plugin.
2. Epubor Ultimate is definitely the most recommended tool for removing kindle drm because it is super easy-to-use and offers 7/24 customer support.
3. DRM is intended to stop the illegal distribution of digital content, so please just keep the drm-free ebooks for yourself. Don't spread it.
4. For Kindle books published in 2023, there are two ways to handle them: using kindle device or backing up kindle books with Epubor kindle converter.
Ada Wang works for Epubor and writes articles for a collection of blogs such as ebookconverter.blogspot.com.
hello please help me
i tried first method of calibre and i still getting error evan i installed successfully plugin in calibre but when i add drm book i got error
second i installed epubor and when i add drm book azw i got invailed format error also
Contact epubor customer support please. We need to check your problem in detail.
Thanks for your comment.
2. Please try to use Epubor Ultimate to remove the DRM from them.
3. If you are failed again, please contact us via support@epubor.com and describe your problem clearly. We will help you fix it.
I can't get any of these methods to work.
Kindle fire, Windows, Ubuntu, Calibre with plugin (not sure where to input the serial number).
Use Kindle desktop to re-download your Kindle books, then Epubor Ultimate will works.
We can't help you directly remove DRM from Kindle fire.
Wow, so easy. Works so quickly! Finally I can ditch multiple reader apps and stay with one reader for all my books. Thanks for posting this, the Calibre plugin works fast and easy!!
One note is you might want to mention to turn off auto update in the PC Kindle app. It might update itself to the newest version and "break" the plugin.
I had followed the steps indicated.
So this doesn't work anymore? Hell, my books aren't even in "My Kindle" folder to open.
If it doesn't work anymore, why don't you put that at hte top, instead of hte bottom of the article?
Hi, I have bought all your apps and now they are not longer working, including the latest app that uses the Kindle Cloud Reader. It no longers allow you to download and pin.
Please HELP.
Thank you for using our software. For downloading kindle cloud reader, you just need to open the book and a downloading progress will show at the bottom right corner. Then just keep this book open until the download finished.
If you have no way to download kindle cloud reader books, then kcr converter will not convert them.
For further assistance, please contact support@epubor.com
First method worked for me along with kindle 1.17 PC.. Thank you so much.
Help!!!!
getting this:
calibre, version 5.4.2
ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>SyntaxError</b>:invalid syntax (calibre_plugins.dedrm.__init__, line 167)
calibre 5.4.2 embedded-python: True is64bit: True
macOS-10.15.7-x86_64-i386-64bit Darwin ('64bit', '')
('Darwin', '19.6.0', 'Darwin Kernel Version 19.6.0: Mon Aug 31 22:12:52 PDT 2020; root:xnu-6153.141.2~1/RELEASE_X86_64')
Python 3.8.5
OSX: ('10.15.7', ('', '', ''), 'x86_64')
Interface language: None
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre/gui2/preferences/plugins.py", line 317, in add_plugin
File "calibre/customize/ui.py", line 472, in add_plugin
File "calibre/customize/ui.py", line 61, in load_plugin
File "calibre/customize/zipplugin.py", line 285, in load
File "importlib/__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1014, in _gcd_import
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 991, in _find_and_load
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 975, in _find_and_load_unlocked
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 671, in _load_unlocked
File "calibre/customize/zipplugin.py", line 177, in exec_module
File "calibre/customize/zipplugin.py", line 173, in get_code
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.__init__", line 167
print u" v: Copying needed library files from plugin's zip".format(PLUGIN_NAME, PLUGIN_VERSION)
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
@joe said:
> DeDRM_Plugin.zip is not a valid plugin. missing __init__.py
This is strange, because if you open up that zipfile yourself, it does contain an __init__.py.
This is the exact error message you would get if you had used the wrong zipfile. Are you sure you didn't use the DeDRM tools zipfile by mistake?
chat is offline so sending here. The deDRM plugin crashes on install:
calibre, version 5.6.0
ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>SyntaxError</b>:invalid syntax (calibre_plugins.dedrm.__init__, line 167)
calibre 5.6 [64bit] embedded-python: True is64bit: True
Windows-10-10.0.19041 Windows ('64bit', 'WindowsPE')
('Windows', '10', '10.0.19041')
Python 3.8.5
Windows: ('10', '10.0.19041', '', 'Multiprocessor Free')
Interface language: None
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\preferences\plugins.py", line 317, in add_plugin
File "calibre\customize\ui.py", line 472, in add_plugin
File "calibre\customize\ui.py", line 61, in load_plugin
File "calibre\customize\zipplugin.py", line 293, in load
File "importlib\__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1014, in _gcd_import
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 991, in _find_and_load
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 975, in _find_and_load_unlocked
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 671, in _load_unlocked
File "calibre\customize\zipplugin.py", line 185, in exec_module
File "calibre\customize\zipplugin.py", line 181, in get_code
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.__init__", line 167
print u" v: Copying needed library files from plugin's zip".format(PLUGIN_NAME, PLUGIN_VERSION)
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
Thank you for your comments. For this error, please follow this guide to get it fixed: https://www.epubor.com/solutions-to-calibre-dedrm-plugin-not-working.html
Any more problem, please feel free to contact us. Have a nice day.
If you want something simple, please just use Epubor Ultimate instead which is much simpler and easier.
If you have any problem when using epubor ultimate, please feel free to contact us via support@epubor.com
Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Also, we will update our software to auto downgrade to kindle 1.17.
Here is the error message :Syntaxerror: invalid syntax (calibre_plugins.dedrm.__init__, line 167
calibre, version 5.42.0
ERROR: Unhandled exception: <b>SyntaxError</b>:invalid syntax (calibre_plugins.dedrm.__init__, line 167)
calibre 5.42 [64bit] embedded-python: True is64bit: True
Windows-10-10.0.19041 Windows ('64bit', 'WindowsPE')
('Windows', '10', '10.0.19041')
Python 3.8.5
Windows: ('10', '10.0.19041', '', 'Multiprocessor Free')
Interface language: None
Successfully initialized third party plugins: Gather KFX-ZIP (from KFX Input) (1, 48, 0) && Package KFX (from KFX Input) (1, 48, 0) && KFX metadata reader (from KFX Input) (1, 48, 0) && KFX Input (1, 48, 0)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\preferences\plugins.py", line 326, in add_plugin
File "calibre\customize\ui.py", line 476, in add_plugin
File "calibre\customize\ui.py", line 64, in load_plugin
File "calibre\customize\zipplugin.py", line 292, in load
File "importlib\__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 1014, in _gcd_import
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 991, in _find_and_load
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 975, in _find_and_load_unlocked
File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 671, in _load_unlocked
File "calibre\customize\zipplugin.py", line 184, in exec_module
File "calibre\customize\zipplugin.py", line 180, in get_code
File "calibre_plugins.dedrm.__init__", line 167
print u" v: Copying needed library files from plugin's zip".format(PLUGIN_NAME, PLUGIN_VERSION)
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax
Have a nice day!