How to Remove the DRM on Any Ebook You Own
Digital Rights Management, or DRM, is specifically designed to control the use, modification, and distribution of any copyrighted material, and is now a common feature of everything from ebooks to music files.
Although it's easy to understand why the rights holders are keen to protect their work, as a consumer DRM is an extremely frustrating aspect of modern life.
In this article, we explain why removing DRM restrictions is important and show you how you can eliminate them on your own ebooks.
Why Remove DRM?
Underpinning the DRM problem is the issue of media ownership. Music, movies, and books that you buy from companies like Amazon are not technically yours—you have merely been granted a license to use the content.
Put yourself in the shoes of one Amazon user, who in 2012 had her entire Kindle library (and Amazon account) permanently deleted for a supposed breach of terms. We don't know whether she did anything wrong, but we do know she was several hundred dollars out of pocket. All her beloved books were irrevocably gone, with no way to retrieve them.
Here's what Amazon said in an email to her at the time:
Per our Conditions of Use which state in part: Amazon.co.uk and its affiliates reserve the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, remove or edit content, or cancel orders at their sole discretion.
While we are unable to provide detailed information on how we link related accounts, please know that we have reviewed your account on the basis of the information provided and regret to inform you that it will not be reopened.
The problem could have been entirely avoided if she had removed the DRM restrictions.
Why? Because she could have backed up her files on her local machine. Amazon might still have deleted her account, but the content that she spent so much money on would still be in her possession.
Different Types of Ebook DRM
Generally, ebooks use four different DRM schemes. They are:
How to Remove DRM From Most Ebooks
Given the diversity of ebook publishers and ebook file formats, it's not surprising that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many ways to remove ebooks' DRM.
If you buy your books through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or the other typical well-known ebook stores, the best solution is Calibre.
Calibre is a free and open-source ebook library management application that's packed full of useful features. For this process, you'll need Calibre and apprenticealf's DRM removal plugins.
Install the Software
Install the software and fire up the app for the first time. When prompted, select which folders contain your existing ebook purchases. If you don't have one yet, create it.
Next, you'll be asked to select your ereader device. The list includes all the major manufacturers. Don't worry if you have more than one device, you can change this setting to alternate between them later.
If you want to be able to send ebooks from Calibre straight to your device, fill in your associated emails on the next screen. For the purposes of the DRM removal process, you can skip this step.
Finally, click Finish and the app will boot.
Install the Plugins
Calibre supports a variety of plugins that perform different functions. To remove the DRM, you need apprenticealf's DRM Removal Tool for Ebooks. The latest version is available for download from GitHub.
Download the file and unzip its contents. Now head back to Calibre and click the Preferences icon on the top menu.
Click Plugins on the bottom row of the pop-up screen, then select Load Plugin from File in the bottom right-hand corner.
Find your unzipped file and navigate to DeDRM_calibre_plugin > DeDRM_calibre_plugin. Click Yes on the virus warning that pops up, and you'll be shown a message that confirms the successful installation.
Per the on-screen message, restart the Calibre app.
If you own a Kindle, there is one final step. In Calibre, go to Preferences > Plugins and expand the menu underneath File Type Plugins.
Double-click on the DeDRM listing, choose eInk Kindle ebooks, and add your device's serial number. On most Kindles, you can find your serial number within the device's settings menu.
Remove the DRM
The tool will only work when you import books into Calibre for the first time. It will not work if you're converting books between formats. Therefore, if you have already imported DRM books you'll need to remove them from the app and re-import them.
The DRM removal is the simplest part of the whole process. Just drag-and-drop your ebooks from your e-reader (or local drive) into Calibre's main window; the software will automatically delete the DRM. If you're pulling them from a Kindle, drag all the files associated with each book and click None when warned about duplicates.
How to Remove DRM From Apple Books
Unfortunately, Apple users keen to remove the DRM from their ebooks face a much more limited choice of tools.
The only reliable method is to use the TunesKit iBook DRM removal tool. This will set you back $30, but if you've got thousands of ebooks, it's a price worth paying.
After you've downloaded and installed the app, you'll need to download all your iBooks to your local machine.
Once you've got them saved, just drag-and-drop them into the DRM removal software and click Convert. Simple, effective, but unfortunately not free.
How to Remove DRM From OverDrive Ebooks
Many public libraries in the United States use the OverDrive system to let you rent digital copies of books. Books that you borrow on OverDrive use Adobe's DRM tool—but don't worry, it is still possible to remove the DRM from library books.
Firstly, you need to download a copy of Adobe Digital Editions and open the ebook you want to edit within the app.
Next, download a copy of the ebook DRM Removal tool. Open the app, select the EPUB file you want to work with from the Digital Editions folder, and hit the Remove button. Give the process a few seconds to complete and you will have removed the OverDrive DRM. You should be able to send the ebook to your Kindle and read it without issues.
Remember, even though it's not illegal, removing the DRM on library books is certainly morally questionable. Think about your actions before you begin.
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