[odamizu]

It's been an uphill battle for Kindle users as Amazon aggressively blocks methods for obtaining Kindle ebooks that work with calibre.

For those who have been using DeDRM plugin v10.0.9 beta/RC or the alpha release, here's where things stand.

If you have questions about installing, setting up, or using DeDRM, ask on GitHub. Detailed help on the aforementioned topics is not permitted on MobileRead.


Method 1: Download & transfer via USB

Starting February 26, 2025, Download & Transfer via USB was removed from Amazon's website and is no longer available.

However, in a curious turn, starting January 20, 2026, Amazon started allowing Kindle users to download EPUB and PDF versions of ebooks published via KDP that have been set to DRM-free by the publisher. More discussion here.


Method 2a: Kindle for PC

If your book was published before April 23, 2025, DeDRM 10.0.9 (or alpha release) still works as usual as long as you stick with an older version of K4PC, such as 2.4.0 or possibly 1.17. However, if the book was published after April 23, 2025, you will need K4PC 2.8.x, in which case, things get tricky, though not impossible. If you are using a version that downloads KFX (such as 2.4 or 2.8), you will also need the KFX Input plugin.

Note: jhowell reports that "Amazon has started referring to that [current K4PC] as the 'Legacy Kindle for PC' app. No sign yet of what, if anything, will be replacing it." And indeed, a Reddit user reports: "The latest update for my Kindle Windows PC reader app just changed the name of it to 'Kindle Legacy Reader,' and the reading kid logo is now black instead of blue." Is this the death knell for K4PC as a calibre-friendly source of ebooks?

Spoiler:

• 1.17 downloads mostly KF8/azw3 and can be found on third-party sites. Google is your friend. Note: There are increasing reports of 1.17 no longer working. YMMV.
  
• 2.4.0 (70904) aka 2.4.70904 downloads mostly KFX and may be downloaded from Amazon. If the link stops working, try third-party sites. Google is your friend.
  
• 2.8.x downloads mostly KFX. Getting it to work with calibre is tricky and involved and can be discussed here.
  
• To block automatic updates, run DNSB's disable_k4pc_download.bat file. Also remove the checkmark from Tools > Options > General > Automatically install updates when they are available without asking me, though there are reports of forced updates even when this box is unchecked, thus the .bat file.
  
• The default location for ebooks is your Documents > My Kindle Content folder. Import the .azw file into calibre (you can ignore the other files). If you're using anything newer than 1.17, such as 2.4.0, you will get KFX, in which case you will need the KFX Input plugin installed. If you get KFX-ZIP, the import probably failed, though in some cases it's worth deleting the book from your Kindle and trying again.

Method 2b: Kindle for Mac

Kindle for Mac is basically dead as a method for retrieving ebooks that work with calibre. However, Mac users have successfully used VM software to run Kindle for PC.


Method 3: eink Kindle

Kindles running 5.18.5 or later (for Scribes the tipping point is 5.18.6) do not work with calibre as they have new, hardened DRM, which has not been broken and will be exceedingly difficult to break. Since preventing software updates is difficult, this is problematic for Kindles still receiving auto-updates, i.e., generally Kindles released starting in 2021 and later, aka 11th generation and newer.

Amazon has also hardened Kindles running 5.16.2.1.1, and was able to do so without a software update, instead using a backdoor. So count those Kindles out as well.

And on May 20, 2026, Kindles released in 2012 and earlier will no longer be able to download books from Amazon at all or otherwise connect to Amazon services. More discussion here.

At this moment, it appears that the only Kindles that may still be able to download calibre-friendly ebooks after May 20 are:

• 6th gen Paperwhite (aka PW1)
• 7th gen Kindle and Voyage
• 10th gen Oasis, Kindle and Paperwhite

Though it seems likely that these models will soon be hardened as well.

In the meantime, if you want to give it a try, connect your Kindle to a computer via USB cable and import the ebook file (.kfx, .azw3, .azw, .mobi) from Kindle into calibre.

Spoiler:

• 5.18.5 and newer does not work with calibre as it contains hardened DRM, which has not been broken to date (more info here and here).
  
• 5.16.2.1.1 also no longer works (more info here, here and here).
  
• 5.6.5 thru 5.13.6 appears to still work for now, though if your Kindle was released in 2012 or earlier, it will no longer be able to download books from Amazon starting on May 20, 2026.
  • Make sure you have the KFX Input plugin installed and follow the instructions on how to import ebooks. There are two ways:
    
    1. Use calibre's Add Books function. More info here.
    2. Use drag-and-drop: drag the .kfx file directly from Kindle into the calibre window — or copy the .kfx file AND .sdr folder to a local drive, then copy the .kfx file to calibre. Note: For MTP Kindles (those released in 2024 and Kindle Scribe), you must do the latter, though if it's been updated to 5.18.5 it will likely have hardened DRM, which makes this moot.
  • You will get mostly KFX (older books may result in older formats, like .mobi).
    
  • If you have a black-and-white Kindle, covers and images will be black-and-white; if you have a color Kindle, covers and images will be in color.
    
  • If you get KFX-ZIP, it probably failed, though in some cases it's worth deleting the book from your Kindle and trying again (more info).
• 5.6.1.1 and older (pre-2013 eink Kindles) still work for the moment, however Amazon says these Kindles will stop being able to download books starting May 20, 2026.
  • There are 2 ways to import your Kindle ebooks:
    
    1. Use calibre's Add Books function. More info here.
    2. Use drag-and-drop: drag the ebook file directly from Kindle into the calibre window — or drag the file to a local drive then drag into calibre.
  • You will get mostly KF8/azw3 (older books may result in older formats, like .mobi).
    
  • You will get color covers and images.

Method 4: Kindle for Android on PC & Mac

It takes some doing, but as of 4/12/2026, it's still possible to use Android emulator software (available for both PC and Mac) to run older versions of Kindle for Android to retrieve Kindle ebooks (even though the original post says it's not). Start here and don't miss this and this and this.