Epubor

Ultimate Workaround to Break Kindle DRM

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Important notice:

Unfortunately, all Kindle books downloaded via Kindle for PC version 2.4.1 or higher are now in a KFX-ZIP format, which cannot be decrypted using the Calibre DeDRM plugin and KFX Input plugin. Additionally, Amazon no longer supports Kindle for Mac 1.40 (previously recommended to work with Calibre).

Solution:

• For Windows users: Download Kindle for PC version 2.4.0 and re-download your Kindle books to remove DRM. For detailed instructions, refer to this step-by-step guide.
• For Mac users: Use the 'Download & Transfer via USB' option to download your books, provided you have an e-ink device.

Important: Both Windows and Mac users can utilize the 'Download & Transfer via USB' option as a reliable solution to remove Kindle DRM if they own a Kindle e-ink device. This method provides AZW3 files, which can be decrypted using Epubor Ultimate.

Epubor continues to offer an ultimate workaround, even with the heightened complexity of removing Kindle DRM. Utilize an Android emulator, eliminating the need for a physical device, and specifically choose an older version of Kindle for Android. This enables you to effortlessly download Kindle books directly to your computer. Follow our tutorial to seamlessly remove DRM from all your purchased Kindle books with Epubor Kindle Converter, ensuring a smooth and unrestricted reading experience.

1. Download Kindle Books Using Android Emulator

1. Download an APK for Version 4.16 of Kindle for Android

The new workaround requires you to use the old version of Kindle for Android to download all Kindle books in a breakable format. And we suggest you use version 4.16 Kindle for Android instead. Thanks to Android emulator, you just need to download an APK file for V4.16 Kindle for Android. No Android device is needed.

2. Download an Easy-to-use Android Emulator on Your PC

LDPlayer is a free, lightweight, and reliable Android emulator that has gained a lot of popularity due to its user-friendly interface, robust performance, and wide compatibility with various Android apps and games. It provides a great way to use Android apps on your PC.

ldplayer 9

3. Setup LDPlayer Android emulator

After LDPlayer Android emulator has been installed successfully, run the software and go to Settings > Other settings > Enable Root Permission > Select Open remote connection under ADB debugging drop-down list > Save settings.

setup ldplayer

Then restart LDPlayer to make the above changes take effect.

restart ldplayer

Note: It is indispensable to set up LDPlayer in order to auto-detect your downloaded Kindle books by Epubor Kindle Converter.

4. Install Kindle for Android on LDPlayer

Find and transfer the APK file for Kindle for Android to your desktop, then drag and drop the .apk file to LDPlayer to start installing Kindle for Android.

install apk for kindle for android

5. Download Kindle Books

After the successful APK installation, tap the Kindle app icon to launch the app, then click Start reading and sign in to your Amazon account. Next, tap the book cover to start downloading your Kindle books that show up in the Books category.

download kindle books using android emulator

Notice

Important Update: Please use Android Studio Emulator to download Kindle books!!!

For Mac (Intel Chip) users, refer to this guide to set up Android Studio emulator and use Kindle Converter to remove Kindle DRM.

For Mac (M1/M2 Chip) users, refer to this guide to set up Android Studio emulator and use Kindle Converter to remove Kindle DRM.





For Mac users, you should use another popular Android emulator -- Genymotion to help you download Kindle books easily. Most importantly, Genymotion is the best Android emulator that requires the least setup steps on Mac:

1Download and install Genymotion Android emulator on your Mac.

download genymotion for mac

2Launch Genymotion Android emulator. It will ask you to create an account in order to use it.

create account for genymotion

After logging in to Genymotion with the newly created account > select Personal use > Next.

log in genymotion

3Install a virtual device on Genymotion.

You can install a virtual device by using the “+” button.

install virtual device

Then select Google Nexus 4 device and double click it to pop up the settings page, next choose the 9.0.0 Android version and click NEXT > NEXT > NEXT > NEXT > INSTALL in the follow-up windows to start downloading the correct version Android device. Please make sure you select the correct Android version of the virtual device, or you'll fail to remove Kindle DRM.

select version 9.0.0 google nexus 4 device

When the device is installed successfully, it will pop up a notification window > click START to start the virtual device.

start virtual device

4Download Genymotion-ARM-Translation_for_9.0.zip.

In order to transfer the Kindle for Android APK file to the virtual device, you need to drag and drop a Genymotion-ARM-Translation_for_9.0.zip file to the virtual device first. When the file Genymotion-ARM-Translation_for_9.0.zip has been installed successfully, please restart the virtual device.

flash genymotion arm translation to virtual device

5Transfer the APK file for V4.16 Kindle for Andriod to the Virtual Device.

Download an APK file for V4.16 Kindle for Android here. Drag and drop the APK file to the virtual device interface.

Then click Start Reading to sign in to your Amazon account.

sign in kindle for android on mac

Next, go to your library and tap the book cover to start downloading your Kindle books.

download kindle books on mac

TipsIf you need to download Kindle books next time, launch Genymotion, and click the triangle icon to start the virtual device again.

restart virtual device next time

2. Remove Kindle DRM & Convert to Your Preferred Formats

As long as you download Kindle books successfully, you've already marched a big step toward victory.

Step 1Download and Install Epubor Kindle Converter to your PC/Mac.

Epubor Kindle Converter is the one and only program on the market to help you convert DRM-protected Kindle books published after Jan 3rd, 2023. Of course, old Kindle books can be decrypted as well.

Download Epubor Kindle Converter for Free

   

Step 2Convert Kindle Books to PDF/EPUB/Mobi/DOCX/TXT/AZW3.

After installing Epubor Kindle Converter on your computer, launch the software, and all your downloaded Kindle books will be displayed on the left sidebar. Next, choose your preferred output format from the drop-down list located at the bottom of the software. Lastly, select all the books and drag&drop them to the right window to remove DRM and convert them to your preferred format at the same time.

convert old kindle format to pdf

You can find the converted DRM-free files by clicking the green tick mark icon, or the Open button on the top of the software, or right-clicking the converted file title > select Browse the source book.

browse the source book

Note: If Kindle books are not showing up, first, please make sure your books have been downloaded completely. Then click the Refresh button or restart Epubor Kindle Converter to upload all your Kindle books to the software.

This time the Epubor tech team has helped users bypass all the difficulties to remove DRM from their Kindle books effortlessly. Overall, Epubor's newly released Kindle Converter is the only tool you need to back up all your Kindle books with no hassle.

Download Epubor Kindle Converter for Free

   

Update 2023/9

Great news is that Epubor Ultimate now works well with the latest kindle for PC/Mac. This means you can download kindle books with the latest kindle app and then remove kindle drm with Epubor Ultimate.

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52 Comments
reply
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05/16/2023 01:06:28
Really poor idea, dear Epubor team, to sell an only for a unknown time working workaround that everyone can get for free using other tools on a monthly recurrent basis. You also have customers that already bought your Ultimate package. You need a working solution to convert directly from Kindle for PC/MAC taken files…
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05/16/2023 02:39:25

I agree. As one who purchased EPO Ultimate, I find it quite irritating that you now demand that I subscribe to a product that may only work for a short time.

I do like the use of the Android kindle app to download. Much better than the PC version.

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05/16/2023 05:38:01
You can use the android kindle app and a clean old eink-Backup file with BlueStacks. You also need Calibre and the De-DRM plug-in. It’s only a bit tricky to extract the android key-file that you need to de-drm the new eBooks within calibre (you have to add the key-file). Got it to work but cannot post links here.
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05/21/2023 10:02:33
Totally understand why you can't, doesn't stop me from wishing you could.
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05/23/2023 00:34:05
Just google mobileread "DRM workaround: Kindle for Android"
Just follow the instructions. Really tricky is extracting the android key, the other tasks are easy to follow. I needed about 2 hours to get it work.
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05/16/2023 02:16:02
Thanks! Just what I needed.
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05/16/2023 05:27:03
does not load books??
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05/16/2023 09:11:50
Hello, thanks for your message.
Please follow the user guide step by step, and ensure you have installed "Kindle Converter", "Kindle app apk" and "LDplayer9"on your computer.
Here is the user guide: https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html
Any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Epubor Team
reply
08/28/2023 04:04:16
Same problem here, followed instructions to the letter, Kindle ebooks downloaded just fine, but the Kindle Converter does not detect any of them.
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08/28/2023 04:08:50
OK, I restarted both LD9 and kindle converter, and now the books are showing up and was able to convert them just fine. Thanks
reply
08/28/2023 11:14:32

Hello, thanks for your message.

If there are any questions when you use Kindle Converer, please feel free to contact us via support@epubor.com.

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
05/16/2023 07:07:18
I followed the instructions perfectly.  Installed everything and set up all the proper settings.  And the kindle books never load in the side panel of Kindle Converter.  I tried restarting Kindle Converter and LDPlayer multiple times.  Still doesn't load the books.  So disappointed.  I was hoping this would actually work.
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05/16/2023 09:18:12

Hello, thanks for your comment.

Do you enable the root permission on the Android simulated LDPlayer9?

Please ensure the root permission is enabled, and then restart the LDPlayer9 to validate the settings. Please follow this guide step by step, and try again.

https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html


If there is the same problem, please feel free to contact us.

Best regards.

Epubor Team

reply
05/17/2023 03:06:08
WHERE does LDPlayer download the books ?
reply
05/17/2023 04:47:24

/ Android / data / com. amazon. kindle / files

Without the spaces

reply
05/22/2023 11:43:18

Hello,
Thanks for your comment. Please follow this user guide step by step and download the necessary software.
User guide: https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html

Any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
05/17/2023 06:09:15
Als ich im Januar merkte, das ich nicht mehr die Bücher herunterladen konnte, habe ich den Reader an den PC angeschlossen und lade über USB. Schon sind sie auf dem PC und ich kann Ultimade nutzen. Daher verstehe ich nicht, das ich nun noch einen Konverter kaufen sollte. KFX ist ja nach 2 Jahren noch immer nicht möglich direkt umzuwandeln.
reply
05/22/2023 11:51:56

Hello,
Thanks for your comment.
For the newly published Kindle books in 2023, if you have a Kindle device, of course, you can download the kindle books via "download and transfer via usb" and then remove kindle drm with epubor ultimate.
Here is the detailed guide: https://www.epubor.com/how-to-remove-drm-from-kindle-kfx-ebooks.html#meth4

2. If you don't have a Kindle e-ink device, we recommend our new product Kindle Converter to decrypt and convert the Kindle books published in 2023. please learn more here:
https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter.html
User guide: https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html

If there are any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
best regards,
Epubor team

reply
05/17/2023 08:12:39

I did a lot of Beta Testing for Epubor right at the start of Covid and since then I have moved from a PC Windows environment to a Mac OS. I am discouraged by what appears to be a "Rube Goldberg" method of converting books on a Mac, but perhaps I did not understand the explanation. Correct me if I have this wrong: To convert books using a Mac (and PC?) I have to run some other vendor's Android emulator, download my books using that and then run Epubor.

Completely unacceptable.

reply
05/22/2023 12:00:50

Hello,
Thanks for your comment. If you are a Mac OS (Intel Chip) user, please install Android Simulator --Genymotion to your Mac. Here is a user guide: https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html
Please follow the guide step by step.

If there are other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
05/17/2023 22:12:56
We need a fix for the Ultimate software we already purchased, not another program we have to pay for!  So frustrated right now.
reply
05/22/2023 12:08:52

Hello,
Thanks for your comment. I can understand that you have purchased Ultimate, but Kindle Converter and Epubor Ultimate are two software work in different ways. I'm sorry we can't fix the Ultimate and add directly the new software to Ultimate.

Here is a detailed user guide:
https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html

Any other questions, please feel free to contact.
Epubor Team

reply
05/17/2023 23:24:17
and all your downloaded Kindle books will be displayed on the left sidebar. Next, choose your preferred output format from the drop-down list located at the bottom of the software.  Doesn't happen; all my downloaded Kindle books are not displayed on the left sidebar, and I cannot drag and drop them into the software.  Software does not work as described in this tutorial.  Want my money back, thank you.
reply
05/22/2023 14:08:23

Hello,
Thanks for your comment. Did you install the Android simulator LDPlayer 9 on your computer? Please ensure that you enable the "Root Permission" and restart the LDPlayer to make it effective. Please try again and follow the user guide step by step:
User guide: https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html

If there is the same problem, please feel free to contact us.
Best Regards,
Epubor Team

reply
05/17/2023 23:29:51
Do you enable the root permission on the Android simulated LDPlayer9?  I have no idea what an Android simulated LDPlayer9 is, and would certainly not know how to enable the root permission.  If it is needed, why didn't it activate, or whatever, when I loaded the purchased software?  Again, just refund my money and I will find some other way that works.
reply
05/22/2023 14:44:00

Hello,
Thanks for your contacting me. In this case, the LDPlayer9 is the Android simulator, it is one of the necessary software you should install on your computer before you use Kindle Converter.
I suggest that you could follow this user guide step by step and try again.
https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html

Any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
05/19/2023 21:59:20

Another unhappy user. 1. I paid for the ultimate version so as NOT to have to purchase other workarounds - you should be offering this to ultimate customers for FREE.

Secondly - it doesn't work. I have followed your so-called guide to the letter. Yes - I have enabled root, restarted it and still no books appear. Yes, I have followed your guide step-by step. There is something missing from the instructions or your software doesn't work.

Very disappointed and by the looks of it, you haven't bothered responding to those of us who are continuing to have problems - not very customer-service friendly now are we. Clearly just trying to make a quick buck. At least I wasn't stupid enough to pay for it before I trialled it.


SORT IT OUR EPUBOR

reply
05/23/2023 22:43:00
I cannot install the Kindle Converter application. I keep getting the message that the Windows defender Smart Screen has blocked the installations. What can I do to resolve this?
reply
05/24/2023 10:44:14

Hello,
Thanks for your comment. In this case, maybe your Edge prevents this file. Please right-click the file to open it, and click "Keep anyway"--"Run anyway". I suggest that you can use Chrome to download this software.
If there is still the same question, please feel free to contact us via support@epubor.com.

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
05/23/2023 22:50:14
I do like the android emulator a lot.  I know you guys are on solving this within your app eventually. In the meantime, I'm not super-anxious to buy Kindle books.  You guys have a great app working with Google books.  Keep up the good work.
reply
05/24/2023 18:14:59
It's too cumbersome and complicated.
reply
05/26/2023 13:38:18
Can I use Bluestacks with the new Kindle converter instead?  I have tried for hours to get LD Player to work, but it never gets past "Tablet is Starting", so I can't install the Kindle app, but I can on Bluestacks, but when Epubor will not detect any book files.  Please help.
reply
05/29/2023 14:07:02

Hello,
Thanks for your comment.
If you have tried several times but still failed to start LDPlayer9, could you please allow me to connect your desktop with AnyDesk software to check and solve your problem directly?
https://anydesk.com/en

Please contact us at support@epubor.com with your address number after you installed this software on your computer.
Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
05/28/2023 02:22:47
It still didn't work for the new books.  Nothing works right now for the new books, even downloading the azw3 files.
reply
05/31/2023 19:26:58
I received the new registration code and was able to start the program.  However, my Kindle books are not showing up.  Is tere a way to direct to the folder where the books are saved?
reply
06/1/2023 11:16:59

Hello,
Thanks for your comment.
Do you download your Kindle books via emulator? Please ensure that you enable the root permission of LDPlayer9 and restart it to take effect.

Please follow this guide step by step:
https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html

If there is the same problem, please feel free to contact us via support@epubor.com

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
06/5/2023 23:07:35

Hello,

the Kindle Converter displays all ever downloaded books at the left side unter "The Kindle Library" which makes it extremely difficult to find new books.

What can I do?

Regards

reply
06/6/2023 11:41:22

Hello,
Thanks for your message.
I'm sorry for all the inconvenience. In the next version, we will fix this issue and add some new features to make it easier to find and manage the downloaded books. Please wait with patience. Thank you!

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
06/6/2023 03:26:22

Hi,
after 2 frustrating hours of try - it s really amiss and didn't t work. First try ldplayer9 needs activating vt - but that doesn't t work - then Genymotion installed, but ... the only android version is version 11 - no android 9.0. So also doesn't t work - I ve paid for a windows lifetime license, and after changing to Mac if paid an upgrade fee - and now it doesn't t work - and your workaround ... I must paid a third time.

So do you have an offer to me ?

reply
06/6/2023 11:49:22

Hello,
Thanks for your comment.
Could you please provide a screenshot to show the error message and contact us via support@epubor.com? We can provide you with remote assistance.

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
06/6/2023 16:15:20
How do you remove the books from the Epubor Kindle converter library? I have converted all the books and downloaded to my calibre.. but I cannot find the original source where the Kindle converter pulls them from. It becomes annoying having to search through a huge list of books in the library to find the one you want to convert. I am not talking about the output path.
reply
06/7/2023 10:40:11

Hello,
Thanks for your comment. I'm sorry for all inconvenience.
The new version of this software will be updated soon, and we will add some new features that support deleting and managing the books in the left pane of the Kindle Library.

Currently, if you want to empty the Kindle Library, please ensure that you back up the downloaded books and then delete the books in files folder from this path:
Windows: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\.EpuborKindle\books\files
After you delete the books you don't want to keep, please click "Refresh" in Kindle Converter, then the books will not show in the left pane.

Any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
06/7/2023 01:11:55
Thank you!!! The book published recently can only be downloaded using the latest version of Kindle for Mac/PC, making the file unbreakable. The key is really using an old version of Kindle for Android! I used MuMu Android simulator that I already have, found the stored .prc file, transferred it to my MacBook and converted it directly with Calibre without the DeDRM plugin. Somehow the conversion failed with Epubor Ultimate, but thank you still for your guidance!
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07/31/2023 05:57:24
I have a MacBook Air M1 running on Ventura 13.4. When installing the Google Nexus 4 Device on Genymotion, I am only offered access to the 11.0.0 Android version and not other prior or later version. Have you any idea why it is so? What can I do from here, as you mentioned that using another version than the 9.0.0 would fail to remove the Kindle DRM? Many thanks
reply
08/3/2023 13:54:15

Hello, thanks for your comment.

In this case, if Genymotion does not work for you, I suggest you install Android Studio. Please follow the user guide below and try again, thank you!
https://www.epubor.com/kindle-converter-user-guide.html#P5

Any other questions, please feel free to contact us via support@epubor.com.

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
08/16/2023 05:40:40
Thank you so much for your help! It worked and I am happy to finally be able to read my 2023 kindle ebooks.
reply
08/4/2023 05:47:15
"the new version will be coming soon"
Really???
The current version has been in need for an update for 3 years now. It is from 2020.
reply
08/4/2023 10:52:36

Hello, thanks for your comment.

You can try our Kindle Converter to decrypt and convert your Kindle books, including the newly published Kindle books in 2023.

Any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via support@epubor.com.

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
09/12/2023 21:09:55

I am no longer able to connect to Amazon through LDPlayer. It simply fails now. I uninstalled Kindle and reinstalled the above version but I receive an error. You post engine won't let me post it verbatim.

What is the solution?

reply
09/13/2023 15:05:36

Hello, thanks for your comment.

Could you please provide a screenshot to show the error message so we can help you fix this issue?

Please contact us via support@epubor.com, we will help you to solve your problem.

Best regards,
Epubor Team

reply
01/31/2024 01:40:21

Epubor Ultimate

I agree with the above posters who comment that Epubor Ultimate was bought and now is pretty much heading towards a dead end because of the selling of separate apps to do what Ultimate used to do. I also think that those who bought Ultimate should be getting some type of better offer for the other software for Kindle instead of the software becoming obsolete and having to pay again for software to do what Ultimate has done for a long time. Secondly since I'm still trying to use Ultimate, the file locations for LDPlayer are not where I've found the files being downloaded which has been frustrating. I think that all of these changes could have been handled better and could have been much more customer friendly for those of us who have been invested in Epubor Ultimate for many years.

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01/31/2024 07:10:39
I am one of those people who are happy to use and keep Windows 7 on my computer. I have Calibre to keep my books., and I have been using Ultimate to remove DRM. However it is a 1 year subscription that has expired some time ago. I have tried to download  a new version but a note tells me that it now only runs on 64 bit pc’s
Epubor must have had versions that supported  32 bit machines, so why  can’t you offer this choice  to us few who aren’t prepared or want to upgrade their systems in order to be able to use iyour drm removal programs.
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