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What is Adobe DRM and How to Remove it?

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Adobe Digital Editions employs the proprietary ADEPT DRM system to encrypt eBook content. Commonly referred to as Adobe DRM, this protection is used by some publishers to prevent piracy. To ensure full access to your purchased eBooks encrypted by Adobe DRM, it’s essential to understand Adobe DRM and how to remove it when needed.

what is adobe drm

1. What is Adobe DRM?

1.1 - What is Adobe DRM and how does it work?

ADEPT is Adobe's DRM system designed to safeguard eBooks. Notable platforms like Google Play Books, Kobo, OverDrive, and Barnes & Noble (B&N) use ADEPT or its variants to encrypt their eBooks. In the ADEPT system, eBooks are encrypted with a book key—each digital copy of the same book shares this key. The distributor selects the key and encrypts the eBook accordingly. Additionally, every user has a unique user key generated during the installation of Adobe Digital Editions and uploaded to Adobe's servers. Adobe DRM restricts content access to up to six devices, allowing users to view their eBooks across those machines.

how to remove adobe drm

1.2 - How to Download eBooks Encrypted by Adobe DRM?

If you've purchased ebooks from platforms like Kobo or Google Play Books, you might have encountered ACSM files. An ACSM (Adobe Content Server Manager) file isn't the actual eBook but a link to download the full eBook through ADE. To download and access Adobe-DRM-protected EPUB and PDF eBooks, you'll need the Adobe Digital Editions. Before downloading, ensure your computer is authorized with an Adobe ID. For a detailed, step-by-step guide on downloading eBooks with Adobe DRM, refer to the instructions.

authorize ade01

Importance of Removing Adobe DRM: While DRM is designed to protect copyrighted works by restricting their use, modification, and distribution, it often limits customers' ability to fully enjoy the content they've purchased. For example, Adobe DRM prevents users from: putting content on personal devices, making backups, printing books, sharing content with family or friends, etc.

2. How to Remove Adobe DRM?

There are various DRM encryption schemes used in eBooks downloaded via Adobe Digital Editions. Currently, eBook DRM removal tools are designed to handle eBooks purchased from major vendors, such as Google Play Books, Barnes & Noble, eBooks.com, OverDrive, Booktopia, and Kobo. Next, we'll guide you through removing Adobe DRM using the versatile tool Epubor Ultimate. This all-purpose solution simplifies the DRM removal process, giving you full access to your purchased eBooks.

Step 1Download and Install Epubor Ultimate.

Download Epubor Ultimate for Free
   

Step 2Remove Adobe DRM from Kobo/Google Play/OverDrive//Nook eBooks.

1. Remove DRM from Google Play Books

To remove Adobe DRM from Google Play Books using Epubor Ultimate, open the software and go to the Adobe tab on the left sidebar, where all Google Play Books downloaded via ADE are listed. Simply drag and drop the books from the sidebar into the main window on the right, and the software will automatically remove the DRM, giving you DRM-free copies of your eBooks.

decrypt googleplay book

Once the decryption process is complete in Epubor Ultimate, a "Decrypted" label will appear next to the book title. To access the DRM-free file, simply click the Decrypted label, and it will take you to the location of the file.

2. Remove DRM from Kobo Books

You can use the same process to remove Adobe DRM from Kobo books as you would for Google Play Books. If you've downloaded Kobo books via ADE, Epubor Ultimate will automatically detect these files and list them under the Adobe tab in the left sidebar. Simply drag and drop the files into the main window on the right, and the DRM will be removed.

Kobo books downloaded via Kobo for PC/Mac can also be decrypted by Epubor Ultimate.

ultimate downloaded kobo books

1. Kobo has partnered with many online bookstores, such as Booktopia, Bol.com, etc, all of them use the same DRM encryption scheme, so users can use Epubor Ultimate to decrypt ebooks that link to the Kobo account, too.

2. To back up both your Kobo books and audiobooks, follow this guide on using Epubor Kobo Converter to unlock them.

3. Remove DRM from Adobe DRM-protected Library Books

Adobe DRM is adopted by many library sites. Luckily, Epubor Ultimate can handle nearly all eBooks that use Adobe DRM. We have created two guides to deal with borrowed books from OverDrive and Hoopla. The same steps apply to decrypt all eBooks with Adobe DRM.

Refer to this guide to decrypt OverDrive eBooks.
Refer to this guide to free your Hoopla borrowed eBooks.

convert hoopla books to epub

4. Remove DRM from Nook Books

To obtain Nook books and remove Nook DRM, both the Android Studio emulator and Epubor Nook Converter are required. You can follow this guide to remove Nook DRM.

Download Epubor Nook Converter for Free
   

convert nook books

You can watch the video tutorial here:

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crafts informative articles on eBooks and eReaders, uncovering optimal methods to enhance your eBook reading experience, and eagerly shares her findings with you.

3 Comments
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06/16/2021 01:19:32
This program has been awesome so far. It is so frustrating to purchase something and it not really by "mine". This program makes "mine" really be "mine". Thanks!
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01/5/2023 06:51:00
The problem comes where "mine" really means any one who wants to download it on the internet. Its all ok... until its your book being pirated and then youll feel like the funding proceeds should be "mine" but they wont be, itll be "theirs".
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06/16/2021 01:33:01
Grateful for ePubor Ultimate. Most helpful and easy to use.
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