As we know, Kindle books we buy from Amazon are always protected by DRM. So we can't read those Kindle books on a Non-Kindle eReader or Kindle app. What's worse, we can't even share Kindle books with our families and friends. Though we have paid for our Kindle books, it seems that we don't truly own them. It's really a pain for eBook lovers, right? But how can we solve this problem? In fact, the best way is to remove DRM from Kindle books. In this article, I will show you a free Kindle DRM Removal--Calibre Plugin, which can help us remove Kindle DRM with ease.
Free Kindle DRM Removal: Calibre DeDRM Plugin
Step 1. Install Calibre and DeDRM plugin
Before removing Kindle DRM with Calibre plugin, you need to install both Calibre and the DRM Removal Plugins first. If you have already done it, just skip this step.
Download: Calibre
Download: DeDRM_tools.zip(v10.0.9)
The DeDRM_tools.zip you download from Github should be unzipped. After you unzip it, you will get a file DeDRM_plugin.zip which is exactly the file you should install to Calibre. Remember to install the DeDRM_plugin.zip instead of the DeDRM_tools.zip.
Then run Calibre, click "Preference" >> "Plugins" >> "Load flugin from file" >> add the DeDRM_plugin.zip file to Calibre. Follow the procedure and you'll find the DeDRM plugin has been added under the "File Type" option.
Note: You should also install the kfx-input plugin to calibre.
After installing them successfully, it's time to remove Kindle DRM.
Step 2. Remove Kindle DRM With Calibre DeDRM Plugin
First, make sure you have downloaded your Kindle books to your computer. If not, there are 3 ways you can try to download them:
(1) From Kindle for PC desktop app (V2.4.0);
(2) From Amazon official website(no longer works).
(3) From Kindle e-ink device (firmware lower than 5.18.5).
(4) Newly Supported: From kindle for PC (v.2.8.0/2.8.1/2.8.2/2.8.3)
How to remove drm from Kindle for PC desktop app (V2.4.0)
1Add books.
When the Kindle books are prepared, run Calibre, click "Add books" to upload your Kindle books (the .azw format file) to Calibre or just drag them to it.
2Remove DRM from Kindle books.
If your books are downloaded from Kindle desktop app, Amazon site or Kindle device, the DRM will be automatically removed when you upload books.
How to Remove DRM from Kindle for PC 2.8.x (v.2.8.0/2.8.1/2.8.2/2.8.3)
Another fact is that the free kindle dedrm plugin won't work if Kindle for PC app updated to v.2.8.0/2.8.1/2.8.2/2.8.3. You will get the error like "Failed to decrypt KFX DRM voucher with any key" and the imported kindle books are turned into KFX-ZIP format, still with drm protected. If you have updated your Kindle books to the latest version, try this KFXArchiever method developed by Satsuoni.
How to Remove DRM from a Kindle E-ink Device (Firmware Lower Than 5.18.5)
Note: You need to configure the Calibre DeDRM plugin for your Kindle e-ink device first.
Go to Preferences >> Plugins >> Search for “DeDRM” >> Customize Plugin >> Kindle eInk Books, then enter your Kindle serial number.
For Kindle device users, simply connect your Kindle to your computer using a USB cable. Calibre will automatically detect the device and display it on the top menu bar. Click Device to view the Kindle books downloaded to your device, then add the books to the Calibre library to remove Kindle DRM.
FAQ: Failed to remove Kindle DRM with Calibre I cannot remove DRM from the Kindle books downloaded from Kindle for PC/Mac or from my Kindle device. Why?
Ensure you've sucessfully installed the Calibre and plugins(both the dedrm plugin and the kfx-zip plugin), and then download your kindle books to computer via the Kindle for PC V2.4.0.
But please note that, the Calibre plugin won't detect your downloaded books. It means you must find the kindle books location first and then drag them to calibre library. If you added the incorrect book file, you may fail to dedrm your kindle books. Is there any easier way to remove kindle drm?
A Simpler and More Effective Way to Remove Kindle DRM
Does the DeDRM plugin method seem a bit complicated? Don't worry. I want to share a much simpler tool with you: Epubor Ultimate. It is currently the best eBook DRM removal and Kindle ebook converter tool on the market. For more details, please follow this complete guide:
4 Ways to Remove DRM from Kindle KFX eBooks (2026 Updated Guide).
1. No need to install additional DRM removal plugins.
2. Much easier to use than Calibre, thanks to a cleaner, more intuitive interface.
3. Automatically detects and loads your books into the software—no manual adding required.
As the image shows, Epubor Ultimate automatically recognizes your existing books and displays them in the left column under the Kindle tab. Simply drag them from the left to the right-hand pane, and the Kindle DRM will be removed instantly. It’s a far easier solution than using Calibre plugins, wouldn’t you agree? Download it now to give it a try!
As a disclaimer, I should explain that my reason for taking DRM from books is to allow me to rename and order books on my e-reader how I would like them. For example an author may write stand alone novels but also series , I like to prefix my series of books and number order them, or simply to remove annoyingly long subtitles like – a stunning psychological thriller! or similar. It is not to share the books with other people other than those people I would allow to read my e-reader. I would recommend Epubor Ultimate to anyone who needs to easily gain full access to the ebooks that they purchase – it really could not be easier to set up or use. - ady briggs
Ada Wang works for Epubor and writes articles for a collection of blogs such as ebookconverter.blogspot.com.
We just want to list all the options. It is for you to make the decision which method to choose. Different people may choose different methods.
Download the software for free, but it won't work (at all) until you buy a license. This is just deceptive marketing speech. It pisses me off to be lied to, and to have a company try and trick me. There is no way I would ever use or recommend your product.
I will not reward dishonesty!
For the Epubor Ultimate, it is the paid software with free trial version.
I have had the same error warning come up each time that I try to install the tool - theplugin -n c:\\users\mdgri\\Ddowlmoads\DEDRM Tool 7.2.1(4)zip is invalid. it does not contain a top level_int_py file
any suggestions please as have lost whole catalogue of books to this
One detail that's missing from the instructions. If you're trying to back up your ebooks from your kindle then you need to customise the plugin and add your kindle's serial number. Then you download the ebooks from Amazon with the USB transfer option, and that will work.
Purchased and returned the ebooks in 5 mins????
If I add a DRM protected book into the Calibre library it says it cannot open it due to DRM protection.
Any ideas?
thanks
Steve
Hello,
Thanks for your comment. I'm sorry that we can't make sure taht the DeDRM plugin of Calibre can decrypt all books protected by DRM.
If this plugin does not work for your book, I suggest that you can use our Epubor Ultimate, please test your book with the free trial version.
https://www.epubor.com/ultimate.html
If you are still interested in this software, please contact us via support@epubor.com, we're happy to provide you with a 10% off discount for the complete version.
Best regards,
Epubor Team
Las indicaciones que da el autor funcionan sin problema, solo hay que leer y seguir el procedimiento indicado, entre otras cosas por ejemplo: 1) instalar una version de KINDLE para PC anterior a 1.25 y 2) usar luego CALIBRE (con los complementos suministrados)para obtener el resultado buscado.
Gracias!!!!
TRADUCIDO CON TRASLATOR GOOGLE
The indications given by the author work without a problem, you just have to read and follow the indicated procedure, among other things for example: 1) install a version of KINDLE for PC prior to 1.25 and 2) then use CALIBRE (with the supplied accessories) to obtain the desired result.
Thank you!!!!
I have done the free trial. As a demo of what is possible, it is good. Simple, I like simple. Okay, it choked on a massive file, but the rest were automagically completed.
Unfortunately I'm retired and too much month at the end of the money was on the 2nd. Bummer.
But, thank to the pointers, device and step by steps, I was able to get the alternative method to work. "It has only taken me 4 plus hours. to get the work around to work around. (Tangent: I do not like Windows 11, and I sometimes feel my laptops aren't real computers.)
But the people ae epubor.com are doing great work, and I wish them continued success.
I don't know if the software work, and I can't know because I won't buy a product before I can test it.
The so called "free trial" is not actually a trial, it's a bait. Sure the interface of their software says "book converted" but depending on your book (image heavy books for exemple) it's not enough to see if it really worked.
A real trial version should allow FULL access to ONE OR TWO books, to show it works. And THEN only ask for your money.
I'm not paying, not upping my rating until a real free trial is offered.