Sideload Mode

To use the reader without an acccount. Enable sideload mode.

  1. At the getting started screen, plugin the reader to the computer
  2. Navigate to
❯ cd /Volumes/KOBOeReader/.kobo/Kobo
  1. Edit the kobo config file
❯ vim Kobo\ eReader.conf
  1. Add config line under the [ApplicationPreferences]
SideloadedMode=true
  1. Unplug and continue the setup process, it should only ask for wifi details.

Calibre

Instead of manually managing epub files and running them through kepubify utility. Trying to use Calibre to edit and manage books instead.

Install kobo specific plugins

Open Preferences -> Plugins -> Get new plugins and install the ‘Kobo Utilities’ and ‘Kobo Touch Extended’ plugin.

Plugin Configuration

  1. Kobo Utilities -> Customize plugin…
  2. Device -> Backup the device database daily
  3. Device -> Destination (Keep 5 copies)

Automatic metadata management

  1. Peferences -> Under the Import/Export section -> Sending books to devices
  2. Choose Automatic management in the Metadata management drop-down menu

After that is done, the workflow is like this:

  1. Copy books to your reader
  2. Disconnect the reader and let the reader process the newly added books
  3. Connect the reader again to Calibre and as soon as the connection is established Calibre will update metadata automatically

Resources

Links to helpful stuff