Amazon Changes Kindle DRM: EPUB and PDF Support Coming

Amazon announced that starting January 20, 2026, self-published authors on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) can offer DRM-free e-books in EPUB and PDF formats to give readers more flexible device options. The retail giant says it will allow writers using its self-publishing platform to distribute their work in these open, widely compatible formats, provided they opt out of digital rights management.

How the New Kindle DRM Rules Work

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a copyright protection mechanism that authors control when they publish their e-books on Amazon’s platform. This new policy shift will not automatically alter previously published titles. Authors who wish to update their older catalog must manually log into the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) portal and adjust their book settings. Step-by-step instructions for this process are available on Amazon’s KDP support site.

The Author Backlash: Will This Encourage More DRM?

While the update aims to offer readers more freedom, it may inadvertently incentivize indie authors to apply DRM to their e-books to prevent easy sharing.

As highlighted by one author on the KDP Community forums, Leslie Anne Perry, the change is causing some creators to reconsider their copyright settings: “Previously, I have not enabled DRM on my e-books. My thinking was that I wanted folks to be able to download them to other devices within their own household. However, I think I will enable it on any future e-books. I’m not sure I want people to be able to download them as a PDFs [sic].”

Conversely, other forum members argue that the update does not significantly impact piracy. They point out that tech-savvy users have always been able to convert DRM-free Kindle files into EPUB or PDF formats using external software.

The Catch: Manual Opt-In and Amazon’s Broader DRM Crackdown

Amazon frames the update as a way to make it easier for customers to enjoy purchased content. However, authors must actively opt-in to open up access for older works. To disable DRM, authors must check a disclaimer box stating: “I understand that by not applying DRM, customers who buy and have already bought this book will be able to download it as a PDF or EPUB file.” Once an author updates these settings, Amazon notes it can take up to 72 hours for the changes to go live on the store.

A Contradictory Trend in Kindle Security

This user-friendly update stands in stark contrast to Amazon’s recent efforts to tighten Kindle security and restrict file sharing. In recent months, the company has made it increasingly difficult for readers to back up their purchased files.

With a software update targeting 11th- and 12th-generation Kindle devices, the retailer introduced a new DRM system that prevents users from backing up e-books without jailbreaking their hardware. This restriction followed an earlier change that removed the “Download and Transfer via USB” option, sparking widespread frustration among Kindle owners who prefer offline backups.