The Ultimate Guide to Remove DRM from Kindle Books in 2026

Most Kindle eBooks come with DRM (Digital Rights Management). This means even if you've bought and downloaded them, Amazon still stops you from reading them on other apps or devices. Kindle DRM removal used to be a simple task, but things changed a lot in late 2025. Amazon updated the software for the 11th and 12th Gen Kindles, making Kindle "KFX" encryption much tougher to get around (Source: Good e-Reader). 

Since the old ways are failing, I tested three methods that actually still work in 2026 to strip Kindle DRM. This guide will show you exactly how to remove DRM from Kindle eBooks using professinal tool BookFab Kindle Converter, the classic Calibre method, and one more new way. 

Before Kindle DRM Removal: What You Should Know

To remove DRM from Kindle books efficiently, you should first identify the file format you're dealing with, since different formats may require different tools. It also helps to understand what DRM is and how Kindle DRM removal works in principle, so you can follow the process more smoothly.

The Development of Kindle Formats: From AZW to KFX

AZW & MOBI: These are legacy formats based on the old Mobipocket standard. They are simple files with weak protection.

AZW3 (KF8): This format introduced better styling and layout. It was the standard for years and is still compatible with many converters.

KFX (Kindle Format 10): This is the current standard. Unlike previous formats, KFX is not always a single file. It is a complex container that splits the book into text, images, and fonts. It also uses a dynamic "voucher" system for encryption. This complexity is why most free tools fail today.

What Is Kindle DRM and How to Remove Kindle DRM?

Kindle DRM is an extra layer of encryption and access control applied to Kindle book files such as AZW, AZW3, and KFX. You can think of DRM as a lock on these files: it ties a book to a specific Amazon account or device and limits copying, sharing, and format conversion. The same AZW3 or KFX file can be either DRM-protected or DRM-free, depending on how Amazon delivers it.

When people talk about Kindle DRM removal, they usually mean unlocking that protection so they can back up legitimately purchased books, read them on non-Kindle apps/devices, or convert them for personal use. For easier eBook management, there are currently some tools available that can remove DRM and convert KFX or AZW3 to PDF or other formats. However, Amazon has tightened Kindle's content delivery, including removing "Download & Transfer via USB" on February 26, 2025, which made many old methods far less reliable and pushed users toward specialized third-party tools to remove Kindle DRM. 

Method 1: Remove DRM from Kindle Books with BookFab Kindle Converter

OS: Windows 11/10 (32/64-bit)

BookFab Kindle Converter is an intuitive tool designed for handling newer Kindle DRM protection. It works with the official Kindle for PC app and uses "Smart Auto Scan" to find your Kindle installation, read the local book database, and show your library with titles and metadata, without any manual file dragging. For safety, it never asks for your Amazon password and does not talk to Amazon's servers; it only uses the login that already exists in Kindle for PC. Its built-in engine is designed for the new "hardened KFX" format and can turn these files into EPUB or PDF format.

I've been using BookFab Kindle Converter since 2025, and after Amazon tightened its Kindle ecosystem, I tested it again to see whether it still held up. After I downloaded books in Kindle for PC, I opened BookFab and it immediately detected and listed the titles I had just downloaded. It converted KFX to PDF or EPUB formats in seconds. Overall, it felt far more stable than the script-based tools I used in the past.

👍Pros:

• Automatically detects the Kindle installation path
• Works directly with the latest Kindle for PC version
• Process files locally for better privacy
• Converts Kindle books to the most widely compatible formats EPUB and PDF

👎Cons:

• It is a paid software (but it offers a free trial)

Tutorial: How to Remove DRM from Kindle eBooks with BookFab Kindle Converter

Step 1: Install Kindle for PC and download books

Download and install Kindle for PC from Amazon. Open the app and log in to your Amazon/Kindle account. Then, go to the Library view.

In the Library, you will see all your purchased Kindle books. Find the book you want to decrypt and double-click the cover to start the download. Alternatively, you can right-click the cover and select "Download." Wait for the download to finish. Your books will be stored in the default folder: C:\Users\Documents\My Kindle Content.

Step 2: Launch BookFab Kindle DRM removal module

Download, install, and open BookFab. In the left sidebar, select the "Kindle Converter" tab and click the "Refresh" icon. The software will scan your local storage for Kindle for PC and display all your downloaded books.

Step 3: Remove DRM from Kindle books and output converted files.

Select the books you want to process. Choose "EPUB" or "PDF" as the output format, then click the "Convert & Decrypt" button. Your DRM-free files will be saved in the designated output folder.

Method 2: Remove Kindle DRM with Calibre

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux (Kindle DRM removal on Mac/Linux is highly restricted)

Calibre is the undisputed king of library management. It is free, open-source, and infinitely customizable. However, Calibre DRM removal capabilities rely entirely on the "DeDRM" plugin, which is maintained by volunteers.

This traditional free method has some limitations for Kindle DRM removal. First, you need to install multiple plugins. Besides the DeDRM plugin, you also need the KFX Input plugin to handle KFX; otherwise, Calibre could not open it. Second, you can only use Kindle for PC 2.4.0 to handle KFX properly. Once Kindle for PC updates to version 2.4.1, the Calibre DeDRM plugin stops working with KFX books. It simply won't be able to unlock any books downloaded through these newer versions of the app.

👍Pros:

• Completely free and open-source
• Excellent for organizing libraries

👎Cons:

• Difficult to configure for beginners
• Requires multiple plugins to successfully handle KFX DRM removal
• DRM removal feature is only stable with Kindle for PC 2.4.0

Tutorial: How to Remove DRM from Kindle Books with Calibre

Step 1: Install Calibre and the plugin

Download the latest version of Calibre from the official website and install it.

Download the DeDRM plugin (zip file) from GitHub. In Calibre, go to Preferences > Plugins > Load plugin from file and select the zip file. Follow the prompts to confirm the installation. You won't see the plugin immediately—you must restart Calibre. After restarting, you will see "DeDRM Tools" in the top toolbar.

If you are handling KFX files, you also need to download and install the KFX Input plugin using the same steps, so Calibre can recognize the format.

Step 2: Import books and remove Kindle DRM

To get your books into Calibre for DRM removal, use the Kindle desktop app (highly recommended) or a physical Kindle device via USB.

Option 1: Use Kindle for Mac/PC (Recommended)

1. Launch the Kindle app and sign in with your Amazon account.
2. Your library will appear. Right-click the book you want to unlock and select "Download." Once downloaded, the files are usually stored in: C:\Users\Documents\My Kindle Content
3. Open Calibre and click "Add books" to select the files from that folder, or simply drag and drop them into the main window. The Kindle DRM is removed automatically upon import. 

Option 2: Connect Kindle device via USB

1. If you prefer using your E-ink Kindle (like a Paperwhite or Oasis), follow these steps:
2. On your Kindle device, go to Settings > Device Options > Device Info. Write down the Serial Number.
3. In Calibre, go to Preferences > Plugins. Find the DeDRM plugin under "File type plugins" and click "Customize plugin."
4. Select "eInk Kindle ebooks" and click the green plus (+) icon. Enter your Kindle's Serial Number and click OK.
5. Connect your Kindle to your computer. In Calibre, click "Add books," navigate to your Kindle drive, and open the "documents" folder.
6. Select the books you want to decrypt and click "Open." The KFX DRM removal tool will automatically unlock your eBooks as it imports the files.

Method 3: Remove DRM from Kindle Books with BookFab Calibre Plugin

OS: Windows 11/10 (32/64 bit)

While the last traditional Calibre method works, relying on multiple, slow-to-update plugins can be a hassle. To solve this, BookFab introduced its own BookFab Calibre Plugin. Think of it as a "bridge": it sits inside your library manager but uses the BookFab engine to handle heavy decryption. This allows the software to tackle all Kindle formats effortlessly. Since it's officially maintained by BookFab, you won't have to worry about your tools breaking when Amazon releases even tougher encryption.

👍Pros:

• Handles all Kindle formats in one go
• Pairs BookFab's decryption power with Calibre's management
• The plugin is free if you own BookFab Kindle Converter

👎Cons:

• Requires the main BookFab software to be installed and licensed on the same machine

Tutorial: How to Remove DRM from Kindle with BookFab Calibre Plugin

📌Prerequisites: You must have BookFab Kindle Converter installed on your computer (it acts as the engine).

Step 1: Install BookFab Calibre Plugin

Download the Bookfab_Calibre_Plugin_v1.0.0_40db112e.zip file. 

Open Calibre, go to Preferences > Plugins, and choose "Load plugin from file." Select the downloaded zip file to install it, then restart the app to activate the plugin. You will now see a "Remove DRM" tool in your top toolbar.

Step 2: Download Kindle books and add them to the program

Follow the steps in Method 1 to download your books to your computer using the Kindle for PC app. Once the downloads are finished, click "Add books" in Calibre to import them into your library.

Step 3: Remove the Kindle DRM

Select the book you want to unlock and click "Remove DRM" from either the toolbar or the right-click menu to start the process. The software will call the BookFab engine to do heavy lifting, usually finishing the decryption in less than 5 seconds per book.

After decryption, the DRM-free file is automatically attached to the same book entry in Calibre. You can transfer the files to other devices, making it easier to read Kindle books on iPhone or iPad.

Comparison Table: Which is the Best KFX DRM Removal Method

For Speed & Simplicity: Choose BookFab Kindle Converter. This standalone app supports the latest 2025 KFX files and requires almost zero setup. It's the best "one-click" solution for most users.

For Power Users: Choose the BookFab Calibre Plugin if you want to manage everything in one library. It combines BookFab's decryption power with ebook organization tools.

For Older Books Only: The traditional Calibre method is no longer recommended for new titles. Even with KFX plugins, it remains hit-or-miss and far from stable for 2025 releases in my tests.

Conclusion

In 2026, removing DRM from Kindle books requires a modern approach. The old "downgrade" methods are gone, and while Calibre is a classic Kindle DRM removal tool, it can't handle the latest KFX format and hardened encryption on its own. BookFab Kindle Converter fills that gap perfectly. It's a reliable solution for securing your library today. Don't let your Kindle books stay trapped; take back control of your library and start reading on your own terms.