Kindle Direct Publishing Shifts Approach: DRM-Free Books Get EPUB and PDF Support Starting 2026

Policy Shift Sparks Debate Among Self-Published Authors

Amazon has unveiled a significant change for creators using Kindle Direct Publishing, announcing support for DRM-free ebooks in EPUB and PDF formats beginning January 20, 2026. The move essentially gives authors greater control over how their works are distributed in alternative formats—but it’s already igniting conversations within the self-publishing community about copyright protection trade-offs.

How the New Format Option Works

Authors publishing through KDP will gain the ability to release ebooks without Digital Rights Management encryption, making their titles available as downloadable EPUB or PDF files. The feature operates on an opt-in basis: writers must actively choose to enable this option for each book. Crucially, the change won’t retroactively apply to previously published titles. Those seeking to adjust DRM settings on existing works need to access the KDP portal and manually update their publishing preferences, with Amazon allowing up to 72 hours for changes to take effect across its platform.

Mixed Reactions in the Community

The announcement has generated varied responses from the author community. Some creators have expressed concerns about unauthorized distribution risks. Contributors to KDP forums, including voices like Anne Perry’s, have highlighted worries about their books becoming easily convertible to standardized formats. Perry previously disabled DRM to enable household sharing across devices but now considers re-enabling protections given these format flexibility concerns.

However, other community members counter that determined readers have long possessed workarounds. Third-party conversion software already allows users to transform DRM-protected Kindle files into EPUB or PDF, they argue, suggesting this policy change merely formalizes what tech-savvy users could accomplish anyway.

Broader Context: Amazon’s Evolving DRM Stance

The format expansion sits alongside Amazon’s recent moves to strengthen DRM implementation elsewhere in its ecosystem. Recent Kindle device updates—introduced on 11th and 12th-generation hardware—have implemented enhanced encryption that prevents standard backup procedures unless users employ jailbreaking techniques. Additionally, Amazon discontinued USB file transfer capabilities, removing a long-available method for backing up purchased titles.

This creates a complex picture: while authors gain flexibility in choosing DRM status, end users face tighter restrictions on personal archiving and device flexibility. For many Kindle owners, these changes represent a frustrating tightening of how they can interact with legally purchased content.

What Authors Need to Know

For those opting into DRM-free distribution, the process requires explicit confirmation that acknowledges customers will receive downloadable PDF and EPUB copies. This transparency mechanism underscores that the decision rests entirely with the author—though the policy framework itself may nudge more creators toward enabling DRM protections given the ease of unauthorized redistribution once files become standard formats.