Kobo Store and Adobe Digital Editions

PunkyKoopa · 03-09-2025, 03:20 PM

Hi.

Due to Amazon locking the option to download and transfer via USB, I have decided to stop buying my ebooks from them and I will use Kobo Store.

I have already bought a couple of books and I wonder if Adobe Digital Editions is the only way to get my books into Calibre. Is there any other way to do it without using ADE?

Thank you!

rashkae · 03-09-2025, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

Hi.

Due to Amazon locking the option to download and transfer via USB, I have decided to stop buying my ebooks from them and I will use Kobo Store.

I have already bought a couple of books and I wonder if Adobe Digital Editions is the only way to get my books into Calibre. Is there any other way to do it without using ADE?

Thank you!

Excellent question. Kobo books can be downloaded in 2 ways, (neither of which require ADE)

1. Install the DeACSM plugin in Calibre. From your books on Kobo website, download the .acsm file, and add that file to Calibre. Calibre will download the e-pub for you, without adobe software.

2. Install the Kobo Desktop application. All your books will sync and download. (Technically, these books will be an what we call kepub format. But kepub is still epub, and wil work in any epub compliant reader/software.)

Personally, I like Method 1, because it works form my Linux desktop without mussing with Windows Virtual Machines or Wine Emulation.

Whichever of these methods you use, you will still need drm removal plugin, but details are not allowed to be discussed on these public forums.

salamanderjuice · 03-09-2025, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

Hi.

Due to Amazon locking the option to download and transfer via USB, I have decided to stop buying my ebooks from them and I will use Kobo Store.

I have already bought a couple of books and I wonder if Adobe Digital Editions is the only way to get my books into Calibre. Is there any other way to do it without using ADE?

Thank you!

Yes, there's a few. You can use the ACSM Calibre plug-in to avoid using ADE. You can also use the Kobo desktop app or a Kobo reader and the Calibre Obok plug-in.

PeterT · 03-09-2025, 03:37 PM

Contained within the DeDRM plugin download is another plugin called OBOK. This will retrieve content from the Kobo Desktop app (and also from the Kobo itself).

ZodWallop · 03-10-2025, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

Contained within the DeDRM plugin download is another plugin called OBOK. This will retrieve content... from the Kobo itself.

I did not know this. I never use OBOK anyway, but that is nice to know.

Cactus Chef · 03-10-2025, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I did not know this. I never use OBOK anyway, but that is nice to know.

By the same token, I only use OBOK, because I run Linux (no Kobo Desktop app) and I could never get the DeASCM plugin working properly.

JSWolf · 03-10-2025, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

Hi.

Due to Amazon locking the option to download and transfer via USB, I have decided to stop buying my ebooks from them and I will use Kobo Store.

I have already bought a couple of books and I wonder if Adobe Digital Editions is the only way to get my books into Calibre. Is there any other way to do it without using ADE?

Thank you!

The DeACSM plugin has an option to get your credentials from a working ADE setup. All you do is drag/drop the ASCM file to your calibre library like you would any eBook. The ACSM plugin will get the eBook add it to your library and DeDRM will remove any DRM. Then once that's done, DeACSM will delete the ACSM file. This way you won't have a copy in your library and a copy in ADE. So it's a win-win.

JSWolf · 03-10-2025, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

By the same token, I only use OBOK, because I run Linux (no Kobo Desktop app) and I could never get the DeASCM plugin working properly.

No need for OBOK on a Windows system. It's best to get the ePub file. Then you have the choice for ePub or KePub via calibre.

Cactus Chef · 03-10-2025, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The DeACSM plugin has an option to get your credentials from a working ADE setup.

I think that's the distinction that rashkae's reply fails to note: a working ADE setup.

JSWolf · 03-10-2025, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

I think that's the distinction that rashkae's reply fails to note: a working ADE setup.

Yep. That's why I posted even though directions were given. It sounds like the OP has a working ADE. So it's rather easy to to setup DeACSM as you don't need to go to Adobe to register for an account as that's already been done.

DNSB · 03-10-2025, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The DeACSM plugin has an option to get your credentials from a working ADE setup.

FWIW, the plugin's name is ACSM not DeACSM. Leseratte_10 renamed the plugin back in 2022. See the Renaming a Plugin thread.

rashkae · 03-10-2025, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cactus Chef

I think that's the distinction that rashkae's reply fails to note: a working ADE setup.

I did not fail to notel... no ADE setup is requited whatsoever.

PunkyKoopa · 03-10-2025, 03:17 PM

Yes, I already have ADE because I need it to get books from my library. So that’s not a problem.

Regardless of which method I choose, the downloaded file will be exactly the same, right? I mean, at the end, the .acsm is just an encrypted link to download the real EPUB, right? IMO, the ACSM plug-in looks the most straightforward.

By the way, I use Mac OS.

JSWolf · 03-10-2025, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

Yes, I already have ADE because I need it to get books from my library. So that’s not a problem.

Regardless of which method I choose, the downloaded file will be exactly the same, right? I mean, at the end, the .acsm is just an encrypted link to download the real EPUB, right? IMO, the ACSM plug-in looks the most straightforward.

By the way, I use Mac OS.

The downloaded eBook will be the same as if you downloaded it with ADE except if it has DRM, in calibre it won't have DRM if you have DeDRM setup properly with the correct version.

PunkyKoopa · 03-10-2025, 05:19 PM

Thank you.

I am facing a small issue regardless the chosen method.

Every time the Libra 2 syncs, it downloads the purchased books from the Kobo Store. I always sideload all my books trough Calibre in order to have them DRM free and with the metadata, collections and all of the information the way I want. Sometimes I even change the cover. So I end up with duplicated books.

I am sure that it is a silly thing that I am missing, but what can I do to avoid that?

03-09-2025, 03:20 PM	#1
PunkyKoopa Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 243754 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Kobo Store and Adobe Digital Editions Hi. Due to Amazon locking the option to download and transfer via USB, I have decided to stop buying my ebooks from them and I will use Kobo Store. I have already bought a couple of books and I wonder if Adobe Digital Editions is the only way to get my books into Calibre. Is there any other way to do it without using ADE? Thank you!

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03-09-2025, 03:37 PM	#4
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,693 Karma: 79983758 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Contained within the DeDRM plugin download is another plugin called OBOK. This will retrieve content from the Kobo Desktop app (and also from the Kobo itself).

03-10-2025, 03:17 PM	#13
PunkyKoopa Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 243754 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Yes, I already have ADE because I need it to get books from my library. So that’s not a problem. Regardless of which method I choose, the downloaded file will be exactly the same, right? I mean, at the end, the .acsm is just an encrypted link to download the real EPUB, right? IMO, the ACSM plug-in looks the most straightforward. By the way, I use Mac OS.

03-10-2025, 05:19 PM	#15
PunkyKoopa Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 243754 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Thank you. I am facing a small issue regardless the chosen method. Every time the Libra 2 syncs, it downloads the purchased books from the Kobo Store. I always sideload all my books trough Calibre in order to have them DRM free and with the metadata, collections and all of the information the way I want. Sometimes I even change the cover. So I end up with duplicated books. I am sure that it is a silly thing that I am missing, but what can I do to avoid that?