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Have you bought an eBook only to find that you can't read it across platforms or share it with your family? That's the trouble with ePub DRM, which restricts the way you can access legally purchased content.

This article explains how to safely and legally remove DRM from ePub books, including titles from Kobo and Kindle. It walks through several practical tools and gives clear, step-by-step instructions so you can handle format conversion with just a few clicks.

How to remove DRM from epub

What is ePub DRM and Why Remove It

What is ePub DRM

This is a protection technology applied to eBooks in ePub format. Its function is to restrict unauthorized use and sharing of digital content. Publishers and online bookstores use DRM to enforce licensing agreements and ensure that eBooks can only be read on specific apps or devices, usually those approved by the seller (e.g., Kindle, Adobe Digital Editions, or Apple Books).

While DRM is intended to protect intellectual property, it often creates barriers for legitimate users. You may find that your legally purchased eBooks can't be transferred to your favorite eReader or even read offline.

Why Remove DRM from ePub

 Benefits of using DRM-free eBooks
  • Ownership: Your eBook is no longer tied to a specific reading application.
  • Flexibility: DRM-free eBooks can be transferred, shared, or backed up without restrictions.
  • Long-Term Access: Ensures you can still access your books even if the original platform becomes obsolete.
  • Cross-Device Compatibility: Access your eBooks on any device, including iPads, Kindles, or other e-readers.
  • Enhanced Reading Experience: Customize fonts, layouts, or annotation settings using any eReader software.

How to remove DRM from ePub with BookFab Kobo Converter

BookFab Kobo Converter is a dedicated eBook converter for Kobo users who want to remove DRM from ePub in a simple way. Instead of dealing with plugins or different apps, you can log in to your Kobo account inside the program, download your purchased titles, and convert them to DRM-free ePub or PDF files in one place. If most of your books come from the Kobo store and you want to read them freely on other readers or apps, this tool offers a direct path to remove DRM from ePub while keeping the original layout and reading quality.

How to remove DRM from ePub with BookFab Kobo Converter

Features
  • Automatically removes DRM when it converts your purchased titles to standard ePub or PDF files.
  • It outputs DRM-free ePub/pdf files that you can import into Calibre, or send to other devices.
  • It works together with BookFab Audiobook Creator, so you can turn your ePub eBooks into audio.
  • Within the same BookFab suite, you can try other modules, like converting Kindle to ePub.
❌Cons 
  • It only supports eBooks purchased from the Kobo store.
  • The software requires an active internet connection to log in to your Kobo account.

Detailed guide to removing DRM from ePub using BookFab

Step 1: Download and install BookFab Kobo Converter from the official website, then open the program. In the left sidebar, click Kobo Converter and wait for the built-in browser to load the Kobo sign-in page.

guide to removing DRM from ePub using BookFab

Step 2: After you sign in, use the embedded browser to open the detail page of the Kobo book you want to convert. When the book page finishes loading, a Confirm Download window will pop up automatically on top of the BookFab interface. Make sure Convert to EPUB is selected as the download format, then click Download Now to let the program start processing the file. If you want to remove DRM from ePub but export PDF files, you can tick Convert to PDF instead.

How to remove DRM from ePub with BookFab Kobo Converter

Step 3: BookFab will download the file and remove DRM from Kobo while converting it to a standard ePub (or PDF if you choose). When the download finishes, you can check the result in the Download Manager or in the Library section of BookFab. 

How to remove DRM from ePub with Calibre

The next tool we recommend is Calibre, a free, open-source eBook management and conversion tool developed by Kovid Goyal. While Calibre itself does not support DRM removal by default, it can be extended with a third-party plug-in, DeDRM, to help users decrypt protected ePub files for personal use.

How to remove DRM from ePub with Calibre

 Features
  • There are many plugins are available for DRM removal and continuous updates
  • It is open-source software without any payment or subscription
  • Compatible with almost all ebook formats, including ePub, MOBI, AZW, PDF, KFX, etc
  • Offer format conversion, eBook editing, metadata customization, and powerful library management
  • Organize a library of electronic books, including by title, author, tag, and more
  • Run on Windows, macOS and Linux to meet the needs of users of different systems
❌Cons 
  • Requires technical setup to enable DRM removal (plugin installation is manual)
  • Many functions are hidden in the menus and take time to familiarize with
  • Calibre does not support DRM removal by default and requires users to install plug-ins (such as Apprentice Alf's DeDRM Tools)

Detailed guide to Removing DRM from ePub using Calibre

Step 1: First, you should download and install Calibre from its official website. Then launch the application and click on the "Add books" button to import your DRM-protected ePub file into the Calibre library.

Step 2: To enable DRM removal, you need to install a third-party plugin such as DeDRM. Visit the official DeDRM GitHub repository, download the latest release, and extract the ZIP file.

In Calibre, go to Preferences > Plugins, then click "Load plugin from file" and select the DeDRM_plugin.zip file from the extracted folder. You may need to restart Calibre for the plugin to take effect.

Step 3: After restarting, go back to Preferences > Plugins and locate the DeDRM plugin under File Type plugins. Click Customize plugin to configure it if necessary. For Kindle users, you may be asked to enter your Kindle serial number to properly decrypt eBooks. For improved compatibility with Amazon formats, you can also install the KFX Input Plugin via Get new plugins under the Plugins menu.

Step 4: Import DRM-protected eBooks into your Calibre library again. During the import process, DRM is automatically removed in the background, so you can convert or transfer DRM-free eBooks to compatible devices.

How to remove DRM from ePub with EPubor Ultimate

EPubor Ultimate provides an easy way to remove DRM from ePub files. The program works as a practical alternative to Adobe Digital Editions and Calibre, and helps you read your purchased eBooks on different devices without format or DRM limits.

Its main eBook decryption tool, EPubor Ultimate, is designed to save time and reduce manual work. With only a few clicks, you can convert eBook formats and remove DRM from Kindle, Kobo, Google Play, and Nook books through its dedicated DRM removal module.

How to remove DRM from ePub with EPubor Ultimate

Features
  • User-friendly interface and streamlined process dedicated to DRM removal.
  • Supports removing DRM from multiple eBooks at the same time.
  • Automatically recognizes connected eBook devices, such as Kindle or Kobo.
  • The official team keeps updating the program to support newer DRM schemes, including the Kindle KFX format.
  • Converts eBooks directly to other common formats while removing DRM.
❌Cons
  • Paid software with a relatively high price for a perpetual license or subscription.
  • Limited support for Apple Books (FairPlay DRM) and cannot handle eBooks downloaded from iTunes..

Detailed guide to using EPubor Ultimate

Step 1: Download EPubor Ultimate from the official site, install it on your computer, and start the program. Make sure your ePub books are downloaded to your PC or connected eReader before you begin.

How to remove DRM from ePub with EPubor Ultimate?

Step 2: After launch, the left column will list the ePub books detected on your computer or device. Drag the titles you want to process from the left column to the right conversion area. 

Once they appear in the right panel, choose your preferred output format and click the Convert button. EPubor Ultimate will remove the DRM during conversion and save the books in the format you selected.

FAQs

Is It Legal to Remove DRM from ePub eBooks?

The legality of DRM removal depends on your country or region. In some countries, such as the United States, personal, non-commercial use may be legal. However, circumventing DRM (even for private use) is considered illegal in many jurisdictions. Be sure to check your local copyright laws before attempting to remove DRM from eBook formats such as ePub, Kindle, or PDF.

Is It Safe to Remove DRM from eBooks?

Yes, DRM removal is generally safe if you use trusted tools like BookFab or Calibre. However, please be aware of a security issue: avoid downloading DRM tools from unknown sources to prevent malware.

Does Removing DRM Affect ePub File Quality or Format?

No. Removing DRM does not change the content, layout, format, or metadata of the file. The process only removes encryption that restricts access.

Can I read DRM-free ePub files on Kindle?

Yes, but Kindle doesn't natively support ePub. After removing DRM, we suggest you use Calibre to convert ePub to MOBI or AZW3, and then transfer the files to Kindle device.

Conclusion

For readers who collect a lot of eBooks, knowing how to remove DRM from ePub files can make a personal library much easier to use and keep. With the tools introduced above, you can convert Kindle to ePub for more flexible reading, even when your Kindle books come with DRM protection. Whether you prefer a paid, user-friendly program such as BookFab or a free, more configurable option like Calibre, you can read your titles on multiple devices while using these tools responsibly and abiding by copyright rules.