How to Convert Apple Books to Kindle and Read iBooks Easily

Apple iBooks and Amazon Kindle represent two of the largest online ebook stores globally, offering an extensive range of eBooks that enable us to read on iOS devices or Kindle e-readers. However, a significant distinction between iBooks and Kindle eBooks lies in the format. Kindle maintains its AZW format, disregarding the widely used ePub format.

Additionally, DRM protection is the reason you are unable to read iBooks directly on a Kindle. Therefore, this article will show you how to convert iBooks to Kindle-compatible formats, allowing you to read your iBooks on your Kindle app or devices.

Why You Can't Read Apple Books on Kindle Directly

You can't read Apple Books directly on a Kindle due to several key limitations, which are explained below.

DRM Protection on iBooks

One of the biggest reasons you can't read Apple Books on a Kindle is FairPlay DRM protection. This is Apple's digital rights management (DRM) technology, which locks purchased iBooks to Apple's ecosystem. In other words, you’re only allowed to read them on Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

FairPlay DRM is designed to prevent unauthorized copying and sharing of Apple's digital content, including iBooks, music, audiobooks, videos, and apps. While this helps protect content creators, it also limits your ability to transfer or open iBooks on non-Apple devices like the Kindle. As a result, even if you legally bought the book, the DRM prevents you from accessing it on a Kindle unless the protection is removed, which isn’t officially supported by Apple.

File Format Incompatibility

Another reason you can't read iBooks on a Kindle is due to file format incompatibility. Even if some iBooks aren't protected by DRM, they are typically in EPUB or Apple's proprietary .ibooks format, neither of which Kindle devices support. Kindle readers are only compatible with a limited set of formats, such as KF8 (AZW3), AZW, MOBI, and PRC.

Since Kindle devices don't support these formats, the file must be converted before it can be read on a Kindle. Without format conversion, even unprotected iBooks remain inaccessible on Kindle devices.

How to Remove DRM from Apple Books

Before transferring iBooks to a Kindle, there are a few steps to follow. The first step in converting Apple Books for Kindle is to remove the FairPlay DRM. With the right tools specifically designed for this purpose, removing iBooks DRM can be easy. Here are some options you can explore to help with DRM removal.

ViWizard iBook Copy

The first tool that can remove DRM from iBooks is ViWizard iBook Copy. This tool is specifically designed for professionals to help iBook users effortlessly remove DRM locks from protected iBook EPUB files, allowing the creation of DRM-free copies while preserving the original metadata.

Additionally, it supports batch processing, enabling you to add multiple iBook files for simultaneous copying. It also features an advanced DRM decryption engine and processor, allowing it to copy and decrypt iBooks up to 30 times faster. ViWizard iBook Copy is available for macOS, making it ideal for users within the Apple ecosystem.

Step 1. Install the ViWizard iBook Copy

• Please download the software from its official website.
• Install the software on your Mac.

Step 2. Import iBooks to the ViWizard iBook Copy

• Launch the software.
• For importing the iBooks, you can either click the Add Files button located at the top of the software. Or, you can drag the iBooks files directly into the main interface.
• After that, click OK to import the file.

Step 3. Select Output Directory

• Once the protected iBooks have been loaded successfully, hit the Output button. There, you can personalize the output settings, such as the output folder, according to your preferences.

Step 4. Begin the Process of Removing DRM from iBooks

• Once everything is properly configured, you can begin the process of removing DRM from iBooks by pressing the Convert button.
• The process will take some time to complete. The total duration primarily depends on the number of iBook files being converted.

RemoveBooksDRM

The following tool is RemoveBooksDRM, an open-source solution designed to remove FairPlay DRM from your legally acquired Apple Books .epub files. This software is designed only for legal purposes, particularly to facilitate eBook compatibility across various devices. This is not intended for, nor should it be utilized for, any type of copyright violation or unlawful activity.

Step 1. Turning Off the SIP (Apple Silicon Macs)

Before proceeding, you’ll need to temporarily disable SIP. The method varies slightly based on your Mac’s processor type:

1. Apple Silicon Macs:

• Shut down your Mac.
• Hold down the power button until you see Loading startup options.
• Select Options, then proceed by clicking Continue.
• Select Terminal from the Utilities menu, and enter:

$ csrutil enable --without fs --without debug --without nvram
$ reboot

2. Intel Macs:

• Shut down your Mac.
• While turning it on, press and hold Command (⌘) + R to enter macOS Recovery.
• Choose Terminal from the Utilities menu and run the following commands:

$ csrutil disable --with kext --with dtrace --with nvram --with basesystem
$ reboot

Step 2. Enable Non-Apple-signed arm64e Binaries

• Signed in as the usual user.
• Open a terminal, and execute the following commands.

$ sudo nvram boot-args=-arm64e_preview_abi
$ sudo reboot

Step 3. Turn Off Library Validation

• Please run this command:

$ sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.security.libraryvalidation.plist DisableLibraryValidation -bool true

Step 4. Remove the DRM

• Clone a copy of the source code and navigate to the designated folder.

$ git clone https://github.com/ReverseApple/RemoveBooksDRM
$ cd RemoveBooksDRM

• Compile the binary for the decryption DYLIB library. To guarantee that you possess all the essential tools for constructing the decryption binary, the simplest approach is to install Xcode along with its command line tools. Next, execute:

$ ./build.sh

• Execute the compiled decryption library:

$ ./decrypt.sh

• A command-line interface will open and display the iBooks you have downloaded in your local Books library.

Step 5. Restore Security Configurations

• To restore library validation, please run:

$ sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.security.libraryvalidation.plist DisableLibraryValidation

• To restore the arm64e binary check, you can run:

$ sudo nvram -d boot-args
$ sudo reboot

• To restore the System Integrity Protection or SIP, please follow the steps below based on your Mac type:

Apple Silicon Macs:

• Shut down your Mac.
• Press and hold the power button until the screen displays Loading startup options.
• Select Options, then proceed by hitting Continue.
• Select Terminal from the Recovery utilities menu and enter the following:

$ csrutil enable
$ reboot

Intel Macs:

• Power off your Mac.
• When restarting, press and hold Command (⌘) + R until macOS Recovery appears.
• From the Utilities menu, open Terminal and run:

$ csrutil enable
$ reboot

Convert DRM-Free iBooks to Kindle Formats

After getting DRM-free iBooks, the next step involves converting the iBooks into Kindle-compatible formats. For this task, Epubor eBook Converter and Calibre are suitable options to consider. For a comprehensive explanation and a step-by-step guide, please refer to the discussion below.

Epubor eBook Converter

Epubor eBook Converter is a tool designed to convert eBooks to and from various formats.. It can also convert DRM-free iBooks to Kindle-compatible formats. The software is capable of converting nearly all commonly used eBook formats, such as EPUB, MOBI, AZW, AZW1, AZW3, AZW4, TXT, PDF, and several others, into MOBI, EPUB, PDF, AZW3, and TXT.

This iBooks-to-Kindle converter includes a library search feature that allows you to quickly locate any book using related information such as a single word from the title, publisher, author, or even the introduction. Additionally, you can manage your eBook library and manually adjust the book's metadata, including details such as the author, cover, date, publisher, and other relevant information.

A noteworthy benefit of using Epubor eBook Converter to convert iBooks to Kindle is its support for batch conversion, allowing you to convert multiple books simultaneously without compromising quality. The conversion process is significantly enhanced, offering speeds up to 60 times faster.

Step 1. Install the Epubor eBook Converter

• First, download and install the software to your device.
• Once the installation process is finished, launch the software.

Step 2. Upload the DRM-free iBooks

• Next, click Add to load the DRM-free iBooks. You may also drag and drop the file onto the main interface.
• Alternatively, you can click the settings icon to configure your eBook (Favorite) path, and your iBooks files will be displayed in the left section.

Step 3. Choose Kindle-Compatible Format

• Choose between MOBI or AZW3 as your preferred output format. Those two formats are compatible with Kindle.
• After that, hit the Convert to button to initiate the conversion process.
• Your .epub iBooks files will be converted to Kindle-supported formats in just a few seconds.

Calibre

Calibre can convert, edit, create, and read eBooks in various formats. It is compatible with multiple input formats, including EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT, HTML, and several others. It also supports a wide range of output formats, including MOBI, PDF, EPUB, PML, SNB, OEB, LIT, and more. You can easily convert your .epub iBooks file to the Kindle (MOBI) format.

Additionally, it operates flawlessly across macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms. No matter what device you use, you can rely on it to convert iBooks into Kindle-compatible formats. Moreover, it is completely free and open source, making it suitable for both casual users and tech-savvy experts.

Calibre includes an integrated editor that allows you to modify eBooks in the popular EPUB and Kindle formats. It also includes a convenient web server for hosting your library. In just a few seconds, you can securely share some or all of your eBooks with anyone you choose or access them yourself from anywhere, using any device you prefer.

Step 1. Download Calibre on your Mac, Windows, or Linux Device

• Kindly download and install the Calibre software on your device, ensuring it matches your specific system requirements.
• Then, run the software.

Step 2. Add .epub iBooks to Calibre

• To load iBooks EPUB e-books in the software, just press the Add Books button. Or, you can simply drag and drop the books into the main interface.
• After adding a new book, it will be positioned at the top of the book list.
• After the iBook files have been successfully loaded into the software, you can choose the e-books menu list and press the Convert books button.

Step 3. Specify the Output Settings and Start Converting

• A window for eBook conversion will appear, prompting you to select the output format for the resulting eBooks. Be sure to choose a Kindle-compatible format, such as MOBI.
• Once you have configured the settings, click the OK button at the bottom of the interface to initiate the conversion of the iBooks files to Kindle format.

How to Transfer iBooks to Kindle

Can you read Apple Books on Kindle? Yes, but only after removing DRM and converting them to a Kindle-compatible format. Once converted, you can transfer iBooks to Kindle and read them just like any other Kindle eBook. Let’s explore how.

Method 1. Send the Converted iBooks Files to Kindle Email

• Find your Kindle email address by signing in to Amazon.com and navigating to Account and Lists > Your Devices and Content > Manage Devices. From there, go to Devices > Preferences > Privacy and Settings > Devices. Select your Kindle to view its unique email address.

• Go to the Preferences tab, locate the Personal Document Settings section, then scroll down to the Approved Personal Document Email list and add your personal email address.
• Email the converted iBooks files (such as PDF) to your Kindle email address using your approved personal email address.
• After emailing, connect your Kindle to Wi-Fi and sync it. The files will be available on your device shortly.

Method 2. Transfer iBooks to Kindle using a USB connection

• Connect the Kindle to your PC using a USB connection, and you will see a Removable Disc in My Computer.
• Next, transfer iBooks to Kindle by copying and pasting the converted Kindle-compatible file (MOBI or AZW3) into the Documents folder.

Method 3. Use the Send to Kindle Software

• Get and set up the Send to Kindle application for your PC.
• Sign in to your Amazon account within the app.
• In File Explorer, right-click the MOBI file, hover over Send to, and select Kindle (or open the app and drag the file in),
• Select your preferred Kindle device, then click Send to transfer the iBook.

FAQs

What tools do I need to convert iBooks to Kindle format?

To convert iBooks to Kindle format, you will need a few tools. First, you will need a tool to remove the iBooks FairPlay DRM. ViWizard iBook Copy can be utilized for this task. Then, you will need to convert the DRM-free iBooks to Kindle format using Epubor or Calibre.

How can I convert DRM-free iBooks to Kindle?

To convert DRM-free iBooks to Kindle format, you can use Calibre. Here's how to use Calibre to convert DRM-free iBooks to Kindle format:

• Open Calibre on your device.
• Load the DRM-free iBooks by clicking the Add Books button.
• Click Convert books after selecting the e-books menu list.
• Then, choose a Kindle-compatible output format.
• Click OK to start the conversion.

What are the benefits of reading iBooks on Kindle?

There are several benefits to reading iBooks on Kindle devices. Here they are:

• The Kindle offers an eye-friendly screen.
• The Kindle device is remarkably lightweight, weighing just 170g. Holding a Kindle for 1–2 hours while reading isn't overly tiring.
• The battery on a Kindle can last for approximately a week before needing a recharge, allowing you to enjoy reading without worrying about battery life.

Conclusion

Reading iBooks on Kindle devices is entirely possible, but it requires a few extra steps. First, you need to remove the FairPlay DRM from the iBooks. Next, convert the DRM-free iBooks to Kindle formats like MOBI or AZW3. Once that’s done, simply transfer the converted iBooks to your Kindle using one of the available methods. After completing these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your iBooks seamlessly on any Kindle device.