[odamizu]

It's looking bleak for Kindle users as Amazon aggressively blocks methods for obtaining Kindle ebooks that work with calibre.

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

Note 1: There may be additional tools floating around the Internet (and around MobileRead). Given Amazon's aggressive stance when it comes to squashing ways to liberate Kindle ebooks, the more attention and chatter any new tool gets, the more likely it will be blocked, rendering it useless to all. If a developer would like their tool to be added to this post, I will gladly do so; otherwise, discretion will be exercised.

Note 2: 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. If you have an eink Kindle, see Method 3.


Method 2a: Kindle for PC

Kindle for PC generally works with NoDRM's plugin if: 1) the book was published before April 23, 2025, 2) you are using older versions of K4PC, such as 1.17 or 2.4.0 (70904) aka 2.4.70904, and 3) the book does not have super-duper encryption (e.g., textbooks, etc.). If you are using a version that downloads KFX (such as 2.4.0), you will also need the KFX Input plugin.

Spoiler:

• 1.17 downloads mostly KF8/azw3 and can be found on third-party sites. Google is your friend.
  
• 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.
  
• Dealing with 2.5 and newer (which also downloads mostly KFX) is tricky and involved.
  
• 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 NoDRM's plugin.

Spoiler:

If you have v7.24 or earlier, it will work in an extremely limited fashion provided you have the KFX Input plugin installed. However, current versions of Kindle for Mac (starting with v7.25.1 and later) do NOT work with calibre, and 1.40.x, the last version that worked, has been disabled and can't even be used to download and read ebooks within the app.

• Kindle for Mac 7.x is available from the Mac App Store. If you don't already have v7.24 or earlier, you might be able to obtain 7.1 if you try this.
  
• If you do have 7.24 or earlier, look for ebooks in User > Library > Containers > Kindle > Data > Library > eBooks. Import the .azw8 file into calibre (you can ignore the other files). If you get KFX, it worked; however, most will import as KFX-ZIP, in which case you will need to try another method, possibly involving virtual machine software (VM confirmed to work on silicon Macs for at least one Mac user on GitHub).

Method 3: eink Kindle

Software update 5.18.5 contains new, hardened DRM, which has not been broken and will be exceedingly difficult to break. Blocking software updates is also exceedingly difficult, which is problematic for Kindles still receiving auto-updates (i.e., those released since 2021?, aka 11th generation and newer?).

However, if you have an eink Kindle running pre-5.18.5 software that can still download ebooks directly to device via WiFi, try connecting the Kindle to a computer via USB cable and importing the ebook file (.kfx, .azw3, .azw, .mobi) from Kindle into calibre.

Spoiler:

• 5.18.5 implements hardened DRM, which has not been broken to date.
  
• 5.6.5 thru 5.18.4.x still works for now, though 5.18.4 may also contain the hardened DRM, which Amazon may be able to activate without another software update.
  • 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.
  • 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 now.
  • 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.
    
  • There are indications that Amazon may be planning to drop support for older eink Kindles. So, while older Kindles are unlikely to receive a software update with hardened DRM, they are also the most likely to lose the ability to download content.

Method 4: Kindle for Android on PC & Mac

There has been some success using Android emulator software (available for both PC and Mac) to run older versions of Kindle for Android to retrieve Kindle ebooks. This became more complicated on May 26, 2025, when Amazon rolled out changes that interfered with these efforts; however, some have persevered. For the latest in this arena, see: DRM workaround: Kindle for Android.