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Apple Inc. implements a DRM protection policy to prevent the illegal distribution and piracy of its digital content. This DRM, known as FairPlay, is designed to restrict access to exclusive content such as iBooks and audiobooks from unauthorized use, privacy violations, and reproduction. So, DRM-protected iBooks are limited to Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, or iPod and cannot be accessed on common e-readers such as Nook, Kindle, or Kobo.

To read iBooks on non-Apple eReaders, you'll need a reliable iBook DRM removal tool to permanently strip the DRM protection. This post will guide you to remove DRM from Apple Books, enabling you to read the books on non-Apple devices.

What Is FairPlay DRM from Apple Books?

Apple's FairPlay DRM Protection is a form of Digital Rights Management developed by Apple Inc. It was originally used in the iTunes store to safeguard AAC-encoded audio files, but it quickly expanded to include Apple’s video products that are now available in the iTunes store. Currently, it is utilized for Apple's digital offerings, including iBooks, music, movies, videos, audiobooks, applications, and more.

This cutting-edge technology is crafted to safeguard against unauthorized distribution and usage. It offers strong anti-piracy measures by using encryption, license control, and blocking screen capture features.

Regarding FairPlay from Apple Books, the DRM operates differently based on the file type of your book:

  • EPUB files (.epub): DRM protects the text and images within the book but does not cover the directory, audio, video content, or file structure.
  • Multi-Touch Book files (.ibooks): DRM applies to all book content and media, except for small thumbnails, the book’s structure, and media inside HTML widgets.

Here are some features of FairPlay DRM:

  • Compatible with Apple AirPlay.
  • Secure digital content to safeguard against unauthorized access and distribution.
  • Provide secure streaming of safeguarded content along with the option for offline viewing.
  • Grant permission for specific devices to access and play secured content.

Advantages and Disadvantages of FairPlay DRM

Additionally, we have outlined the benefits of implementing this DRM protection, along with its limitations.

Advantages
 The use and accessibility of the content are restricted to authorized users only
 Creators and authors receive the rightful protection they merit, ensuring they are compensated fairly while retaining control over their original content
 To secure their content and establish a safeguard against piracy
Disadvantages
 DRM protection doesn't fully prevent piracy, as determined hackers may still find ways to bypass it
 Limits user freedom by restricting content use, sharing, and backup—even for personal or family use
 Content is locked to Apple devices and difficult to convert, limiting compatibility with other platforms and devices

Having gained some insight into FairPlay DRM, we will now proceed to discuss the FairPlay DRM removal process. But why should you remove FairPlay DRM? Here's why:

  • Improved compatibility and reading experience: Without DRM, you can read your books on a wider range of e-readers and devices, not just those officially supported.
  • Greater control and flexibility: DRM-free eBooks can be easily shared, transferred, converted, or backed up for personal use.
  • True ownership and long-term access: Removing DRM ensures you can access your legally purchased content anytime, even if the original platform becomes unavailable.

How to Remove DRM from Apple Books (iBooks)

The eBooks you bought and downloaded from the iBook store are secured by FairPlay DRM and are exclusively compatible with iBooks. And removing DRM from Apple iBooks is not a straightforward process. However, there's no need to worry. Here are several tools to help you remove DRM from iBooks easily.

ViWizard iBook Copy

A helpful tool for bypassing DRM is ViWizard iBook Copy for Mac. This is a specially developed tool intended for removing DRM from Apple Books and converting them into different formats, including PDF or ePub. So, you can read purchased books on various non-Apple e-book reading devices, including Google Play Books, Amazon Kindle, Sony eReader, Nook tablet, and more.

How to Remove DRM from Apple Books

Here are the key features of ViWizard iBook Copy:

  • Convert your iBooks to DRM-free ePub files with nearly perfect retention of original quality.
  • All metadata like cover, author, publisher, and date is preserved exactly.
  • Copy and decrypt iBooks at speeds up to 30x faster, making the process quick and efficient.
PROS
 The interface is straightforward and user-friendly, requiring no additional setup or hardware
 Supports batch processing to copy multiple iBook files
 Enables the reading of iBooks on various e-readers such as Nook, Kindle, and Sony
CONS
 Only available for Mac, with no Windows version offered
 Limited customization options for output formats and settings

The comprehensive procedure for eliminating DRM from iBooks using ViWizard iBook Copy:

Refer to the tutorial below to get unprotected iBooks.

Step 1. Download and Install the Software

  • Get the ViWizard iBook Copy and set it up on your Mac device.
  • Then, proceed to launch the application. Following that, the iBook app will launch automatically.

Step 2. Import Your .epub or .ibooks Files into the App

  • To load ePub books from your iBooks library, either click the Add Files button at the top center of the app or drag the files directly into the main window.
  • Make sure the iBooks app is authorized with the Apple ID used to purchase the books, otherwise, ViWizard iBook Copy may not work properly.
  • Then, choose OK from the drop-down menu to import the iBooks ePub files.

Step 3. Select Output Directory

  • Once the books are fully loaded, hit the Output panel to configure the output folder as per your requirements.

remove drm from apple books using ViWizard iBook Copy

Step 4. Start Converting

  • Simply click the large Convert button in the bottom right corner to start removing DRM from your iBooks files. This will generate DRM-free ePub copies that can be read on any eBook reader.

Requiem

Requiem is a free Java-based software, compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems. It enables the removal of Apple's DRM (known as FairPlay) from books, songs, and videos acquired on iTunes.

This allows you to enjoy DRM-protected music, videos, and books on devices beyond those officially supported. The process is entirely automatic; however, the software requires some knowledge of the Java programming language for advanced configurations.

Here is the key feature of Requiem:

  • Remove FairPlay DRM without compromising quality.
  • Supports multiple media types, including DRM-protected music, videos, and eBooks purchased from the iTunes Store.
  • Simple and automatic process, the tool scans your iTunes library and removes DRM with minimal input.
PROS
 Free and open-source software
 Maintain the original quality of the output files
 Efficiently decrypts the majority of DRM files
 Provide a seamless process to handle all tasks automatically
 This software has minimal memory requirements
 It is accessible for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems
CONS
 There will be no technical assistance available for ongoing maintenance
 It does not function properly on certain operating systems, and bugs have been reported in version 4.1
 Supports only iTunes versions 10.7 and earlier
 Need to delete the latest version of iTunes, which will reset your iTunes setup
 Java installation is necessary to operate on a Windows PC
 Unable to decrypt rented content from the iTunes Store
 Cannot function with the latest version of macOS

Now, let's explore the process of removing DRM from Apple Books using Requiem. Kindly follow the following steps.

Note: The software is compatible only with iTunes 10.7, which means you will need to uninstall iTunes from your desktop or laptop initially. As a result, you will lose the existing configuration of iTunes and will be unable to synchronize iTunes 10.7 with the most recent iOS for iPhone and iPad.

Step 1. Uninstall Your Current iTunes

  • Requiem may not function properly due to conflicts with the most recent versions of Apple software. Remove your existing iTunes along with all other applications created by Apple.
  • Apple Software Update
  • Apple Mobile Device Support
  • Bonjour
  • Apple Application Support 32-bit
  • Apple Application Support 64-bit

remove drm from apple books with Requiem

Step 2. Set up iTunes 10.7 and turn off Apple ID authentication

  • Download and install iTunes 10.7 on your device. Be sure to turn off the settings for automatically updating iTunes and other Apple software during the installation setup.
  • Disable the two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. If a pop-up does not appear, please refer to the code sent to your device and enter it behind your password when signing into your Apple ID on iTunes 10.7.

Step 3. Redownload the Book

  • Please re-download the book you wish to decode from the iTunes Store via iTunes 10.7.
  • If you are aware of the location of the previous downloads, you can transfer them to the new iTunes library manually.

Step 4. Download the Requiem App

  • Please download the Zip file below and proceed to install Requiem 4.1 on your device.
  • Requiem 4.1 for Windows
  • Requiem 4.1 for Mac
  • For Windows users, to properly run Requiem, you must download and install the Java Runtime environment.

Step 5. Launch Requiem and Start Decrypting the DRM

  • Next, exit iTunes and open Requiem. It will seamlessly scan your local iTunes library for protected content and begin the process of removing DRM protections.
  • Upon completion of the process, the protected files will be moved to the trash by default, and they will be replaced with the unencrypted version.

remove drm from apple books with Requiem

FAQs

Can I remove DRM from books I’ve borrowed from Apple Books?

Yes, you can remove FairPlay DRM from books you've borrowed from Apple Books using specific tools designed for that purpose. You might consider using tools such as ViWizard iBook Copy or Requiem to remove Apple Books DRM and convert them to various formats.

Is it safe to remove DRM from Apple Books?

In the US, bypassing DRM is considered illegal; however, in other regions, the legality may vary due to differing laws globally. However, the elimination of DRM is deemed legal only when conducted for personal use. You're alright as long as you only do it for things you bought and don't distribute them to others.

Can I remove DRM from Apple Music or Movies?

Yes, you can remove DRM from Apple Music and Movies using the right software. Tools like UkeySoft Apple Music Converter let you strip DRM from Apple Music and convert tracks to formats like MP3, FLAC, AAC, or M4A, while keeping lossless quality and all ID tags intact.

For movies and TV shows, iTunes M4V Converter can remove FairPlay DRM and convert M4V files to MP4 without sacrificing video quality.

Conclusion

Removing DRM from Apple Books can be tricky, but with the right tools, it’s entirely possible. Consider using tools such as ViWizard iBook Copy or Requiem to remove DRM from Apple Books, allowing you to enjoy your purchased books on any e-reader of your choice. However, it is essential to verify your local regulations regarding the decryption of DRM processes, even for personal use.