Since January 20, 2026, Amazon has officially allowed users to download Kindle books as EPUB or PDF files directly from the Amazon website—without using any third-party conversion software. However, this official Amazon EPUB download feature comes with one strict condition: the eBook must be published DRM-free by the author or publisher.
2026 Update: If a book is DRM-free, you will see a new option under your Amazon content library: "Download available in additional formats" (EPUB or PDF).
In this guide, we will cover step-by-step how to download a PDF of a Kindle book or export it as an EPUB from the official Amazon portal, how to identify DRM-free Kindle titles before purchasing, and what to do if your purchased eBooks are locked by DRM.
How to Download Kindle Books as EPUB or PDF Directly from Amazon Website
If you are looking to download Kindle books as EPUB or download a PDF of a Kindle book for reading on non-Amazon e-Readers (such as Kobo, Onyx Boox, or reMarkable tablets), follow these steps directly on the Amazon website:
Prerequisites: The eBook must be an outright purchase (Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading borrows do not qualify) and must be marked DRM-free by the publisher.
1 Go to Amazon "Manage Your Content and Devices"
Log into your Amazon account and navigate to the Manage Your Content and Devices page. Click on Books under the Content tab to view your purchased Kindle library.
2 Locate "Download Available in Additional Formats"
Scroll through your library. If an eBook is DRM-free and supports direct export, you will find a label reading "Download available in additional formats" next to the cover image.
3 Click "More Actions" and Download EPUB/PDF
Click the More Actions (...) button next to the title, then choose "Download EPUB/PDF". Amazon will deliver the DRM-free eBook directly to your computer.
4 Extract or Change File Extension (.ZIP to .EPUB / .PDF)
In many cases, Amazon packages the downloaded EPUB or PDF file inside a standard .zip archive. If your computer downloads a ZIP file, simply extract the ZIP file, or rename the file extension from .zip to .epub (or .pdf).
Now you can freely transfer and read your Kindle EPUB or PDF file on any app (e.g., Thorium Reader, Apple Books) or third-party device!
How to Check If a Kindle Book Allows EPUB/PDF Download Before Buying
Most major publisher titles sold on Amazon still use Amazon's proprietary DRM protection KFX format), which prevents direct Amazon EPUB download. Here is how to verify if a Kindle book is DRM-free before you buy it:
- Check "Simultaneous Device Usage": On the Amazon Kindle product detail page, scroll down to "Product Details". If it shows "Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited", the book is usually DRM-free.
- Look for Publisher/Author Disclaimers: Many independent authors and publishers (such as Tor Books) explicitly state "At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM" in the book description.
- Check the "Download & Transfer" Option After Purchase: If you see "Download EPUB/PDF" under Manage Your Content and Devices, it is DRM-free. If you only see "Deliver or Remove from Device", the book is protected by DRM.
What If Your Kindle Books Are DRM-Protected?
Can you download Kindle eBooks as PDF or EPUB if they are DRM-protected? Unfortunately, Amazon's official direct download button will NOT appear for DRM-locked books.
If you need to back up your whole Kindle library or read DRM-protected AZW3/KFX Kindle books on non-Amazon readers, you will need a dedicated eBook management and DRM removal tool like Epubor Ultimate.
With Epubor Ultimate, you can easily remove DRM restrictions from your purchased Kindle books and batch convert them into standard DRM-free EPUB or PDF formats in just one click.
For Authors & Publishers: How to Enable DRM-Free EPUB/PDF Downloads in KDP
If you publish eBooks via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you can allow verified buyers to download your Kindle eBook as PDF or EPUB by adjusting your manuscript DRM settings.
Steps for KDP Authors:
- Log into your KDP Bookshelf.
- Click the ellipsis button ("...") next to your eBook title and select "Edit eBook Content".
- Scroll down to the Digital Rights Management (DRM) section.
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Select "No, do not apply Digital Rights Management".
Check the confirmation box: "I understand that by not applying DRM, customers who buy this book will be able to download it as a PDF or EPUB file." - Save and publish your changes.
Note for Older Books (Published before Dec 9, 2025): Amazon does not automatically enable EPUB/PDF downloads for existing backlist titles. Authors must manually re-save their DRM-free selection in KDP to activate download links for previous buyers. Updates typically take 24 to 72 hours to go live.
FAQs on Downloading Kindle eBooks as EPUB or PDF
Q1: Can I download Kindle books as EPUB or PDF for free?
Yes, but only for books you have officially purchased on Amazon that were released DRM-free by the author/publisher. Borrowed books through Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading are not eligible for direct file export.
Q2: What is the difference between "Deliver to Device" and "Download EPUB/PDF"?
"Deliver to Device" sends the eBook to your Kindle device or official Kindle App in Amazon's proprietary format (AZW3/KFX). "Download EPUB/PDF" saves an open-standard, standalone EPUB or PDF file directly onto your computer for universal device compatibility.
Q3: Why did my Kindle book download as a .ZIP file instead of .EPUB?
Amazon frequently compresses standalone EPUB/PDF file exports into a .zip package. You can simply unzip the file or rename the file extension from .zip to .epub or .pdf to open it on your e-Reader.
Q4: Will I lose my downloaded EPUB/PDF files if the author turns DRM back on later?
No. Once you have downloaded the DRM-free EPUB or PDF file to your local computer, it is yours to keep forever, regardless of future policy changes by the author.
Wrap Up
Thanks to Amazon's updated policy, getting an official Amazon EPUB download or downloading a PDF of a Kindle book directly from the website is now easier than ever—provided the title is DRM-free.
For the vast majority of Kindle books that remain locked by DRM, using Kindle DRM Removal tools like Epubor Ultimate is still the most reliable way to back up your personal digital library into standard EPUB and PDF formats.
Iris Yan Marketing Architect at Epubor since 2017, drives the brand’s product design, advertising, and all-channel strategy.
