Dealing with Kindle ebooks in calibre

[odamizu]

Amazon has been aggressively closing avenues, leaving few workable options for those wishing to use Kindle ebooks with calibre. For those still interested in Kindle ebooks, consider the following:

START HERE

First, install DeDRM v10.0.9 beta/RC or the alpha release. This will work on most Kindle ebooks (if you can get them). Note: Some Kindle ebooks come with extra-strength encryption that these tools cannot handle (e.g., some textbooks, etc.). 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.

Once you have DeDRM v10.0.9 or later installed, here's the current status on established methods for obtaining Kindle ebook files to import into calibre:


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 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.

• 1.17 downloads KF8/azw3. All other versions up thru 2.4.0 download KFX.
  
• 1.17 can be found on third-party sites. Google is your friend.
  
• 2.4.0 (70904) aka 2.4.70904 may be downloaded from Amazon. If the link stops working, try third-party sites. Google is your friend.
  
• Current versions of K4PC (i.e., anything newer than 2.4.0) are problematic. 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, it failed (in rare instances something can go wonky during import, so if it's working for other Kindle ebooks, it may be worth deleting the book and trying again, or attempting to convert the KFX-ZIP, since DRM is also removed on conversion).

If your desired ebook was published on or after April 23, 2025 and you have an eink Kindle, try Method 3; otherwise, for a short while longer, consider Method 4. There is also Method X.


Method 2b: Kindle for Mac

Kindle for Mac is basically dead as a method to retrieve ebooks that work with calibre. 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, which previously 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

If you have an eink Kindle (including the new 2024 models) and are able to download ebooks directly to your Kindle 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 using drag-and-drop or calibre's Add Books function. More info here.

This method has been reported to work with firmware up to 5.18.2. Note: With Amazon's recent aggressive actions, it wouldn't be surprising if Method 3 stops working for some or all devices and/or ebooks at some point.

If your eink Kindle was released in 2013 or later running firmware v5.6.5 or newer, make sure you have the KFX Input plugin installed and read the instructions on how to import ebooks. 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 have a pre-2013 eink Kindle running firmware older than v5.6.5, you will get mostly KF8/azw3 with color covers and images (older books may result in older formats, like .mobi). More info on older Kindle models and their usefulness in obtaining KF8 from jhowell: here


Method 4: Kindle for Android on PC & Mac

Looks like this method may stop working on May 26, 2025. Though it's still working for at least one person as of May 27. Until Amazon blocks this, you might try running Android emulator software (available for both PC and Mac) to run older versions of Kindle for Android to obtain Kindle ebooks (KF8/azw3 or mobi) that work with calibre. See: DRM workaround: Kindle for Android, post #740 and Feb 2025 (Mac-Friendly) Android Emulator Guide For Kindle File Download And DeDRM


Method X

A few new methods have popped up, at least one of which is paid software. Given Amazon's aggressive stance when it comes to squashing ways to liberate Kindle ebooks, there is the risk that any new avenue that is publicized will be swiftly blocked, rendering it useless. Therefore, for the time being at least, unless a developer clearly states that they would like their work publicized here, this post will refrain from providing details except to say: new methods can be found if you look hard enough.

[Rosales]

It's still possible to download Kindle 1.35.0 for Mac from amazon.co.uk by following this link and 'purchasing' it for £0:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MWT3C...=docs-os-doi_0

It worked fine for me on a M1 Mac running Sonoma, with the usual Calibre/DeDRM/KFX input plugin setup.

[carpler]

I just followed the link in the initial post to download the latest version of Kindle for PC, but I ended up with 2.3.70840, not 2.3.5.
If 2.3.5 is required could you point it out in the post and bring back a link on where to retrieve it?
Thank you very much!

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by Rosales

It's still possible to download Kindle 1.35.0 for Mac from amazon.co.uk by following this link and 'purchasing' it for £0:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MWT3C...=docs-os-doi_0

It worked fine for me on a M1 Mac running Sonoma, with the usual Calibre/DeDRM/KFX input plugin setup.

Are you able to download new books (published in 2023 and later) with 1.35.0? It is my understanding that Amazon changed things so that anything published in 2023 or later requires at least 1.39.

Originally Posted by carpler

I just followed the link in the initial post to download the latest version of Kindle for PC, but I ended up with 2.3.70840, not 2.3.5.
If 2.3.5 is required could you point it out in the post and bring back a link on where to retrieve it?

Can anyone confirm whether Kindle for PC 2.3.70840 works or if 2.3.5 is required? I am a Mac user and rely on Windows users to provide the latest Windows info.

[DNSB]

On my Windows PC, 2.3.5 (70840) works. I can download books, import them to calibre and convert them to other formats.

[Rosales]

My apologies for not checking more thoroughly! Kindle 1.35.0 for Mac doesn't work with post 2023 books.

[carpler]

Originally Posted by DNSB

On my Windows PC, 2.3.5 (70840) works. I can download books, import them to calibre and convert them to other formats.

I confess that I did not install the downloaded version. Does this mean that the file that shows in the name 2.3.70840 is actually the correct version (2.3.5)?

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by carpler

I confess that I did not install the downloaded version. Does this mean that the file that shows in the name 2.3.70840 is actually the correct version (2.3.5)?

Yes. The current latest version works.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by carpler

I confess that I did not install the downloaded version. Does this mean that the file that shows in the name 2.3.70840 is actually the correct version (2.3.5)?

Yes, the version number is 2.3.5, the build is 70840. So another bug fix to 2.3.5 might show up as 2.3.5 with the build number changing to 71012. <= I invented that number and would be very shocked if it showed up as a real public release build number!

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by odamizu

I’m starting this thread to hopefully serve as a new central place for discussion and investigation going forward for people who want to use Kindle ebooks with calibre.

Thank you so much for taking on this responsibility!

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Thank you so much for taking on this responsibility!

Thank YOU, jhowell, for maintaining the original thread for over 7 years and for all of your work over the years unraveling Kindle formats and Kindle apps. You know so much more about all this than I do. I hope you will continue to share your knowledge in this and other threads.

Originally Posted by DNSB

On my Windows PC, 2.3.5 (70840) works. I can download books, import them to calibre and convert them to other formats.

Originally Posted by mbovenka

Yes. The current latest version works.

@DNSB and @mbovenka: Great! I will update the first post to clarify.

[lkmiller]

@paola from previous thread:

sure, I should have said it in the first place, this is it:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&ie=UTF8&psc=1

the pages do look all like each is a pdf.

Since that is a 2024 publication, I'm surprised it downloaded with an older version at all. Suggest trying method 2 above.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

@paola from previous thread:



Since that is a 2024 publication, I'm surprised it downloaded with an older version at all. Suggest trying method 2 above.

If it really is a book of images, then it cannot be converted to KFX. The eBook shows Enhanced Typesetting as Not Enabled.

[odamizu]

Windows users: Is "the newer Kindle for PC app available in the app store for Windows 11" still a thing? Is it still helpful to reference this in the original post or is it sufficient to say the latest Kindle for PC app available directly from Amazon is the one you need?

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If it really is a book of images, then it cannot be converted to KFX. The eBook shows Enhanced Typesetting as Not Enabled.

Enhanced Typesetting refers to books in reflowable KFX format. However KFX is also used for fixed-layout books, such as print replica and comics.

Originally Posted by lkmiller

Since that is a 2024 publication, I'm surprised it downloaded with an older version at all.

paola stated that the book was dated November 2021 so perhaps there is a mixup in the book involved.