Kobo

There's a Kevra app for Kobo that lives on your Kobo, alongside its own software. You open a book and it's where you left it on your phone.

Note: the Kobo app is in beta. It works, but we're still polishing it and it may have bugs. Kobo has no app store, so it's installed unofficially from our website.

What you need

• A Kobo running version 4 of its software (most Kobos have it). It doesn't work on version 5 or later yet: the installer tells you if that's your case.
• Almost any Kobo from recent years: Clara HD, Clara 2E, Clara BW, Clara Colour, Libra H2O, Libra 2, Libra Colour, Forma, Nia, Aura, Elipsa 2E… It doesn't work yet on the Sage or the first Elipsa (they have a different processor); the installer tells you. On colour screens, books and comics show in greys.
• A computer with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (Mac or Windows). Safari, Firefox, phones and tablets can't install it.
• The Kobo's USB cable.

Installing it

1. On your computer, open joinkevra.com/kobo in Chrome or Edge.
2. Plug in the Kobo with its cable and, on the Kobo screen, tap Connect. A drive called KOBOeReader appears on the computer.
3. On the web page, press Choose the Kobo, pick the KOBOeReader drive itself (not a folder inside it) and allow the page to edit files.
4. Press Install. The page downloads the app, checks it arrived intact and copies it. Your books are not touched.
5. Eject the Kobo and unplug it. It updates and restarts by itself.

Afterwards you'll see a book called "Kevra" in your library (tap it to open the app) and also "Kevra" in the menu. The installation adds two small add-ons, NickelMenu and KFMon, which are what open it.

Linking it to your account

You don't need to type your password on the Kobo:

1. In the Kevra app on the Kobo, tap Link. It shows a 6-letter code.
2. On your phone, go to Settings → Link a reader, type the code and tap Link.

The code expires after 10 minutes and only works once.

What you can do

• Read the EPUBs on your Kobo, and download books from your Kevra: what you're reading, your cloud libraries and what you've sent yourself.
• Synced progress both ways: it syncs when you open the app, when you leave a book and with the Sync button. Wi-Fi only turns on for that. For it to match your reading on your phone, it has to be the same EPUB file (the easiest way: download it from the app itself).
• Highlights, notes, search in the book, dictionaries and the reading companion.
• Light and warmth (if your Kobo has it), your reading time and your streak.
• Comics (CBZ, plus CBR, CB7 and CBT, converted when downloaded): in your libraries they're grouped by series, in folders. Read them page by page or, with a double tap in the middle (or Zoom in the menu), panel by panel: each panel whole and enlarged; very wide ones, then in two halves. Contrast (off, soft or strong) darkens the greys so white lettering is easier to read. Where you are syncs with your phone.

What it doesn't do

• Audiobooks.
• Books bought in the Kobo store (they're encrypted and don't show up).
• Kobos running software version 5 or later, for now.

Plus plan: downloading books from your cloud libraries and from what you've sent to Kevra needs Plus; your Kevra Cloud, Pro. See Plans.

Leaving, updating and uninstalling

• To go back to the Kobo: Exit in Kevra's library, or the power button.
• The app updates itself when it syncs over Wi-Fi.
• To remove it, go back to joinkevra.com/kobo with the Kobo connected and, under Uninstall Kevra, press Uninstall.

Note: a Kobo software update may mean you have to install it again.

If you'd rather not install anything, you can use KOReader: see KOReader.