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Is Apple Books Free Compatible With Kindle Devices?

Saw conflicting advice about using Apple Books on Kindle Paperwhite. As a fan of both platforms, hoping someone has tested DRM/format compatibility themselves.
2025-08-09 17:09:28
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9 Answers

Best Answer
Tajwar Fatima
Tajwar Fatima
No, Apple uses a proprietary DRM system on the books sold through their Apple Books store. These are sold in the .EPUB file format but with an Apple FairPlay DRM added to them. If you try to download one of these to your Kindle, it won’t open because the Kindle doesn’t support that DRM or file type. Books that are sold through Apple Books need to be converted to a .MOBI or .AZW file and then the DRM removed, which can be a tedious and painful process. If you want an easy-to-read book on your Kindle then look for a book that is sold directly by Amazon through their Kindle Store. The popular werewolf romance The Alpha King’s Forbidden Mate is available for purchase in the Kindle Store, and is also available as part of Kindle Unlimited for Unlimited members.
2026-08-05
Liam
Liam
When it comes to compatibility between Apple Books and Kindle, Apple Books ebook content is stored in EPUB files that include DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection, while Kindle ebook content is stored in MOBI or AZW files. As a result, you cannot natively transfer Apple Books purchases to your Kindle while keeping the DRM protection intact.

We found Calibre, a very popular ebook management tool, would sort of convert these to read on your Kindle but it was way too difficult for me to recommend to anyone. First of all, Apple uses the FairPlay DRM on the books that you purchase through the Apple Store so you could never actually transfer the book that you purchased to your Kindle to read.

It’s frustrating in many ways as Apple does print well and has great typography whereas Kindle’s e-ink is better for reading, but Apple’s Book storage space can be accessed on Apple devices – hopefully Apple and Amazon can collaborate and have better cross-platform functionality in the future!
2025-08-10
Ruby
Ruby
Reminds me of console wars between the different great platforms that can't work together. I use my Kindle Paperwhite for outdoors reading, but then I'm stuck with all my Apple Books on my iOS devices, because of incompatible formats.

Using screen sharing on your iPhone to read books on your Fire tablet is a huge pain. I wish Apple and Amazon would make it easier for readers to read across platforms instead of soveniring customers to their respective ecosystems. Until then I will continue to maintain two separate libraries of eBooks: Kindle for Amazon-purchased titles and Apple Books for independently published eBooks that are available in EPUB format that I can purchase. Not ideal but it works. Great for new readers just looking to get into eBooks – help them choose between Kindle and Apple Books by telling them where the bulk of their existing library resides.
2025-08-14
Hannah
Hannah
I can confirm this. Apple Books is not compatible with Kindle. Apple Books uses a specific file format, whereas Kindle uses MOBI and AZW files. The files from Apple Books have to be converted with special software, which can be a pain. I tried to import an EPUB file once, but the formatting got all messed up. As far as I can tell, it’s still more practical to stick with the Kindle ecosystem when you have a Kindle device, but Apple Books has some great exclusives too.
2025-08-14
Jennifer Taylor
Jennifer Taylor
I’m watching a stream of new users discover the wall of frustration of incompatible reading devices. It’s a digital reading rite of passage. I experienced this same sense of disappointment. The reasonable expectation of interoperability between reading devices on the market today is instead a set of realities that rules the digital bookstores. So, my advice to someone considering the purchase of books from Apple to read on their Kindle is simple: if you already own a Kindle, buy books from Amazon for it. If you’re an Apple devices user (iPhone, iPad) who wants to read e-ink, know that the books you currently purchase and have stored on your devices will not automatically transfer to your new Kindle for reading of new books you purchase. The cost of switching to Kindle for reading new books can add up, so it’s great you’re reading this before you toss a lot of money at this decision.
2026-07-31

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