Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

FireLilly13 t1_iwl65w2 wrote

Reply to comment by BuecherLord in Digital Books wear out faster than Physical Books - Internet Archive Blogs by koavf

How do you remove the DRM and back them up? I have over 1000 books on my kindle and really need to do this but everything I find seems to be old. (DM is welcome if you don’t want to post here)

1

Specialist-Throat924 t1_iwlzsi4 wrote

It was surprisingly easy once I tried doing it! The only caveat is that you do need to own a Kindle device, since Amazon won't give you a download link for your book files unless you have one (that's because the download is technically for transferring the files via cable to that Kindle device). I know you said you own one, but I just wanted to make that clear in case anyone who only reads Kindle books via the app is reading.

It's been a while since I did this, so I don't remember the exact details and locations for every menu etc. But I believe this info is enough for you to be able to google it.

Download Calibre, an ebook management software. Get the plugin called DeDRM (google how to add it). In the settings for DeDRM, add the serial number of your Kindle device (this is needed as a key for it to decrypt your books!).

Once you have done this, you can download the books and just drag and drop them into Calibre. Once you do, Calibre automagically removes the DRM and you are free to open them on your computer, transfer them to other ebook readers, and so on.

3

oldhippy1947 t1_iwm1u94 wrote

Exactly what I've been doing with my ebooks. I purchased them, so they are mine and automatically remove DRM when I add them to my Calibre library. The oldest books in my library have a date stamp of December 1990. And with Calibre I can convert to about 17 different formats. Long live Calibre and DeDRM.

3

Specialist-Throat924 t1_iwm2pg7 wrote

Word! However, it's certainly a good point that technophobic people who get anxiety just considering a procedure outside of what the Big Corporations tells you to don't own their files and never will. The Big Corporations are betting on most people being like that, and sadly, I think it's a pretty safe bet.

3