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Many titles bought from Apple Books come with FairPlay DRM, Apple's copy protection system for ebooks and audiobooks. Once a book is purchased, the file is tied to an Apple ID and is meant to be read on Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, or Mac. As a result, DRM-protected iBooks will not open on other common e-readers like Kindle, Kobo, or Nook.

For readers who have built a library in Apple Books but now use non-Apple devices, this limitation can be frustrating. One technical option is to remove DRM from Books files for copies that were legally obtained and are kept for personal use. The following sections describe how FairPlay works and how to remove DRM from Apple Books so the same titles can be read on other e-readers.

how to remove drm from apple books

What Is FairPlay DRM from Apple Books

Apple's FairPlay DRM Protection 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.

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.
  • 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

FairPlay DRM brings clear benefits for rights holders, but it also introduces limits that many readers will notice in daily use.

Pros
 Restricts access to purchased content to authorized accounts or devices, which reduces unlicensed sharing.
 Helps authors control how their work is distributed and supports the business models they rely on for income.
 Adds a technical barrier against straightforward piracy and unauthorized redistribution of ebooks and audiobooks.
Cons
 Limits how buyers can use their purchases by making personal backup, or moving content between devices more difficult.
 Keeps ebooks tied to Apple devices and makes conversion to other formats challenging.

Why Remove DRM from Apple Books

Before getting into the actual steps to remove DRM from Apple Books, it helps to be clear about what this change can offer for copies that were bought legally and are kept for personal use:

  • Improved compatibility and reading experience: Without DRM, the same titles can be read on a wider range of e-readers and devices, including models that are not officially supported by Apple.
  • More practical control over personal copies: DRM-free ebooks are easier to back up, move between devices, or convert to other formats, which can be helpful when changing hardware or using more than one reader.
  • True ownership and long-term access: If a device is replaced, an account changes, or a service is adjusted over time, having a DRM-free copy makes it easier to keep accessing legitimately purchased books in the future, within the limits of local copyright laws.

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
 Simple, clean interface on macOS that works without extra hardware or complex setup
 Supports batch processing to copy multiple iBook files
 The resulting files can be transferred to other e-readers such as Nook, Kindle, or Sony
CONS
 Available only for Mac; there is currently no Windows version.
 Limited room to fine-tune how the converted files are produced.

How to Remove DRM from iBooks using ViWizard iBook Copy

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 DRM removal tool originally designed to strip Apple's FairPlay DRM from music, videos, and books purchased from iTunes. It primarily supports iTunes version 10.7 and earlier. The process is entirely automatic. However, the software requires some knowledge of the Java programming language for advanced configurations.

Key features 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 to use and released as open-source software
 Handle many older FairPlay-protected files when used in a compatible environment
 Most steps are handled automatically with little manual work
 This software has minimal memory requirements
 Versions have been available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
CONS
 No technical assistance or ongoing maintenance
 May not run reliably on newer OS, and bugs have been reported in version 4.1
 Requires installing an older release, which can reset the existing iTunes setup
 Needs a Java installation on Windows before it can be used
 Cannot decrypt rented content from the iTunes Store

How to Remove DRM from Apple Books using Requiem

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.
  • 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

Is it legal to remove DRM from Apple Books?

The legality of removing FairPlay DRM depends on local law and on how the files are used. In many countries, including the United States, bypassing DRM protection may violate copyright or anti-circumvention laws unless a specific exemption applies. In some regions, such as parts of the European Union and Australia, limited format shifting for private use can fall under certain copyright exceptions. Any DRM changes should be applied, if allowed, only to Apple Books that were lawfully purchased and kept for personal use. 

Can I read my Apple Books on Kindle after removing DRM?

Yes. Once FairPlay DRM has been removed from Apple Books and the files have been converted into formats that Kindle can accept (for example, via EPUB or PDF converted to a Kindle-compatible format), those titles can usually be loaded onto Kindle devices or Kindle apps and read there. Compatibility still depends on the exact format and device model.

Can I remove DRM from Apple Music or Movies?

Apple Music and films from the Apple ecosystem also use FairPlay or similar DRM, and restrictions on bypassing that protection are generally stricter than for ebooks. There are third-party tools that can handle this type of content. For example, utilities such as MusicFab are designed to convert Apple Music tracks to common audio formats like MP3, FLAC, or M4A while keeping key tags, and various iTunes M4V converter tools aim to turn purchased iTunes M4V movies or TV shows into formats like MP4.

Make sure that your use of these tools complies with the copyright laws and service agreements that apply in your country or region.

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.