Looking for guide for Calibre with Kobo conversion

bookfrog44 · 06-04-2023, 11:15 AM

As everyone is aware, converting and removing DRM for Amazon based books no longer seems possible. I don't actually use a kindle or the terrible kindle app for reading but rather an android tablet and Moon+ Reader Pro.

That said, I do buy a fair number of books and then convert them for use on my device.

I was looking at the Kobo platform but for the life of me even after installing Kobo app on my PC and installing the plugins into Calibre, I cannot even find the digital book I bought much less find a way to convert it in calibre.

Is there a detailed "idiots" guide somewhere on this site that can walk me through all the necessary steps to set my PC up to convert kobo books?

Thanks

theducks · 06-04-2023, 12:33 PM

If the Kobo plugins (there are more than1) have been installed, your conversion options should list KEPUB (only needed if you was a Kobo copy on your PC) as an outbput format. With the device connected, Configure Device: tick KEPUB
Make other changes (on tabs) to taste The last tab has send as kepub

Kobo's can also work with EPUB (and ADOBE DRM if you register the device like any other Adobe) without any effort /conversion

bookfrog44 · 06-04-2023, 02:39 PM

Thanks as mentioned above I don't actually have a Kobo reader. I use an Android tablet. As such I need I believe to use the kobo PC program, buy the book and then use calibre with the plugins to find and convert the digital file I purchased to EPUB?

Quoth · 06-04-2023, 03:35 PM

You don't need the Kobo PC program.
The Download option gives either a plain epub, or an epub with Adobe DRM.

DNSB · 06-04-2023, 03:39 PM

If you are not using the Download option from the menu on Kobo's website, the Kobo Desktop app saves the ebooks as what looks like a GUID as the filename with no file extension in C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Kobo\Kobo Desktop Edition\kepub.

To import the files into calibre, take a look at the OBOK plugin which comes packaged in the same .zip file as the DeDRM plugin's .zip. Extract the Obok_plugin.zip from the original .zip and install it in calibre.

If you do download the files from the Kobo website, they will either download as an epub file for non-DRMmed files or an .ascm file for DRMmed files. If you are getting the DRMmed variant, you can either use Adobe's ADE to download the epub and then import it into calibre removing DRM on the way or you can use the ACSM (aka DeACSM) plugin for calibre to download the epub and import it into calibre. This is handy for Linux users since it make life a lot simpler than running ADE using WINE.

Quoth · 06-04-2023, 06:27 PM

I have eink Kobos and after comparing WiFi to Kobo and Download from Website to PC, I use download. To test I loaded into Calibre from the Kobo and also from downloaded ACSM file (or epub on DRM free titles).
I'm running Linux Mint with a Mate Desktop.

Years ago I had K4PC and the Sony Desktop on Windows. But I'd not bothered with the proprietary desktop applications even before switching from Windows to Linux.

JSWolf · 06-14-2023, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookfrog44

As everyone is aware, converting and removing DRM for Amazon based books no longer seems possible. I don't actually use a kindle or the terrible kindle app for reading but rather an android tablet and Moon+ Reader Pro.

That said, I do buy a fair number of books and then convert them for use on my device.

I was looking at the Kobo platform but for the life of me even after installing Kobo app on my PC and installing the plugins into Calibre, I cannot even find the digital book I bought much less find a way to convert it in calibre.

Is there a detailed "idiots" guide somewhere on this site that can walk me through all the necessary steps to set my PC up to convert kobo books?

Thanks

You need to install and register ADE. You need to install the latest DeDRM plugin for claibre. You need to download ePub from Kobo.

Once you are properly setup, just drag/drop the ePub into calibre and if there is DRM, it will be removed. Then you can convert your ePub to whatever format you want.

IMHO, you may be best to find a good program to read ePub on your Android tablet.

Shykat · 06-15-2023, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You need to install and register ADE. You need to install the latest DeDRM plugin for claibre. You need to download ePub from Kobo.

Once you are properly setup, just drag/drop the ePub into calibre and if there is DRM, it will be removed. Then you can convert your ePub to whatever format you want.

IMHO, you may be best to find a good program to read ePub on your Android tablet.

Does this work with Kobo Plus books like it used to with Kindle Unlimited ones?

Quoth · 06-15-2023, 11:18 AM

Kobo Plus are loans.
Only remove DRM from books you actually buy outright, not rent.

TheSmitty · 06-16-2023, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookfrog44

As everyone is aware, converting and removing DRM for Amazon based books no longer seems possible.
.
.

Actually, no was not aware of that. Is it true? I ask because I just did it last week on a recent purchase...

DNSB · 06-16-2023, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSmitty

Actually, no was not aware of that. Is it true? I ask because I just did it last week on a recent purchase...

Depends on the format of the book but since Jan. 2023, you can no longer use older versions of K4PC to download a non-KFX format for books that were published after Jan. 02, 2023. Two workarounds are download and transfer via USB or using an older Kindle app running under BlueStacks.

See these thread in the Kindle forum:

DRM workaround: Kindle for Android and Amazon and DRM changes

ownedbycats · 06-16-2023, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You need to install and register ADE. You need to install the latest DeDRM plugin for claibre. You need to download ePub from Kobo.

Once you are properly setup, just drag/drop the ePub into calibre and if there is DRM, it will be removed. Then you can convert your ePub to whatever format you want.

IMHO, you may be best to find a good program to read ePub on your Android tablet.

Note that you can use DeACSM/ACSM Input instead of Adobe Digital Editions. If you do this, adding the ACSM directly to Calibre will 'convert' (download) it to its appropriate format.

The plugin is mostly intended for Linux users who don't have easy access to ADE. But it's also good for lazy Windows users like me

TheSmitty · 06-16-2023, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Depends on the format of the book but since Jan. 2023, you can no longer use older versions of K4PC to download a non-KFX format for books that were published after Jan. 02, 2023. Two workarounds are download and transfer via USB ...

Ah, that explains why I have not had any problems.

tinlizzie · 07-18-2023, 04:33 PM

I have the same problem. I just bought 2 books from Kobo and there is NO way I can find a usable copy of the books on my pc. I have ADE and the kobo app, where the books are thanks to a previous post here and of course Calibre, but I cannot load anything anywhere. Just spent hours trying everything in creation but no joy

. Cannot even find the plug-ins for Calibre. I do not have the latest Calibre, because I'm still using win7.

ownedbycats · 07-18-2023, 05:00 PM

Go to the Kobo website, then My Account > My Books. Under 'Actions' is an option to download the file. You'll get either a DRM-free ePub file or a DRM'd ACSM file.

06-04-2023, 11:15 AM	#1
bookfrog44 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Android Tablet	Looking for guide for Calibre with Kobo conversion As everyone is aware, converting and removing DRM for Amazon based books no longer seems possible. I don't actually use a kindle or the terrible kindle app for reading but rather an android tablet and Moon+ Reader Pro. That said, I do buy a fair number of books and then convert them for use on my device. I was looking at the Kobo platform but for the life of me even after installing Kobo app on my PC and installing the plugins into Calibre, I cannot even find the digital book I bought much less find a way to convert it in calibre. Is there a detailed "idiots" guide somewhere on this site that can walk me through all the necessary steps to set my PC up to convert kobo books? Thanks

06-04-2023, 03:39 PM	#5
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 48,175 Karma: 174315444 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	If you are not using the Download option from the menu on Kobo's website, the Kobo Desktop app saves the ebooks as what looks like a GUID as the filename with no file extension in C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Kobo\Kobo Desktop Edition\kepub. To import the files into calibre, take a look at the OBOK plugin which comes packaged in the same .zip file as the DeDRM plugin's .zip. Extract the Obok_plugin.zip from the original .zip and install it in calibre. If you do download the files from the Kobo website, they will either download as an epub file for non-DRMmed files or an .ascm file for DRMmed files. If you are getting the DRMmed variant, you can either use Adobe's ADE to download the epub and then import it into calibre removing DRM on the way or you can use the ACSM (aka DeACSM) plugin for calibre to download the epub and import it into calibre. This is handy for Linux users since it make life a lot simpler than running ADE using WINE. Last edited by DNSB; 06-04-2023 at 03:44 PM.

07-18-2023, 04:33 PM	#14
tinlizzie Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: palm	I have the same problem. I just bought 2 books from Kobo and there is NO way I can find a usable copy of the books on my pc. I have ADE and the kobo app, where the books are thanks to a previous post here and of course Calibre, but I cannot load anything anywhere. Just spent hours trying everything in creation but no joy . Cannot even find the plug-ins for Calibre. I do not have the latest Calibre, because I'm still using win7. Last edited by tinlizzie; 07-18-2023 at 04:35 PM.

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06-04-2023, 12:33 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,267 Karma: 61916422 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	If the Kobo plugins (there are more than1) have been installed, your conversion options should list KEPUB (only needed if you was a Kobo copy on your PC) as an outbput format. With the device connected, Configure Device: tick KEPUB Make other changes (on tabs) to taste The last tab has send as kepub Kobo's can also work with EPUB (and ADOBE DRM if you register the device like any other Adobe) without any effort /conversion

06-04-2023, 02:39 PM	#3
bookfrog44 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Android Tablet	Thanks as mentioned above I don't actually have a Kobo reader. I use an Android tablet. As such I need I believe to use the kobo PC program, buy the book and then use calibre with the plugins to find and convert the digital file I purchased to EPUB?

06-04-2023, 03:35 PM	#4
Quoth Still reading Posts: 15,008 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	You don't need the Kobo PC program. The Download option gives either a plain epub, or an epub with Adobe DRM.

06-04-2023, 06:27 PM	#6
Quoth Still reading Posts: 15,008 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I have eink Kobos and after comparing WiFi to Kobo and Download from Website to PC, I use download. To test I loaded into Calibre from the Kobo and also from downloaded ACSM file (or epub on DRM free titles). I'm running Linux Mint with a Mate Desktop. Years ago I had K4PC and the Sony Desktop on Windows. But I'd not bothered with the proprietary desktop applications even before switching from Windows to Linux.

06-15-2023, 11:18 AM	#9
Quoth Still reading Posts: 15,008 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Kobo Plus are loans. Only remove DRM from books you actually buy outright, not rent.

07-18-2023, 05:00 PM	#15
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 11,360 Karma: 79528341 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Go to the Kobo website, then My Account > My Books. Under 'Actions' is an option to download the file. You'll get either a DRM-free ePub file or a DRM'd ACSM file.