# How do I change my Kindle files to another format?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 4, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146 "2020-05-04T22:05:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146/1 "2020-05-04T22:05:44Z")
I have thousands of Kindle files. I would also like to reduce my dependence on Amazon, and, if possible, support other retailers.
Does anyone know of a good way to reformat thousands of files? I know how to do them individually, but I’d like to find a way to batch them.
Thank you.
---
### Author:  [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146/2 "2020-05-04T22:10:36Z")
You mean .mobi?
Something like [Calibre](https://calibre-ebook.com/)will work.
---
### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146/3 "2020-05-04T22:38:24Z")
I’m confused about what you’re doing and why. How does reformating your Kindle files support other retailers?
---
### Author:  [@Kimera757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimera757)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146/4 "2020-05-04T22:57:47Z")
You can use Calibre, but there’s a wrinkle. If you bought new Kindle books, they use a font (cough, DRM, cough) that prevents Calibre from converting the file format.
I had to downgrade my version of Kindle to 1.17, which still allows me to download the old format. I had to delete the “old” files which were actually using the new format. Then have Calibre “upload” the file and convert it to a PDF.
---
### Author:  [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146/5 "2020-05-05T22:16:34Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#):
>
> I’m confused about what you’re doing and why. How does reformating your Kindle files support other retailers?
Right now I buy Kindle out of convenience, because everything I’m using is set up to support it. If I move everything off of that platform, then it’s easier for me then having two groups of books on different platforms.
---
### Author:  [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)
#### Post date: [May 5, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146/6 "2020-05-05T22:18:51Z")
> [@Kimera757](#):
>
> You can use Calibre, but there’s a wrinkle. If you bought new Kindle books, they use a font (cough, DRM, cough) that prevents Calibre from converting the file format.
>
> I had to downgrade my version of Kindle to 1.17, which still allows me to download the old format. I had to delete the “old” files which were actually using the new format. Then have Calibre “upload” the file and convert it to a PDF.
I’ll take another look at Calibre. Thank you.
---
### Author:  [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-kindle-files-to-another-format/853146/7 "2020-05-06T03:46:36Z")
Calibre will do batch jobs of many conversions at a time.
Look for an appropriate Calibre plugin - there’s one that will work on any Amazon format.