KOReader OS for E-Readers: quick guide for Kobo
Throughout the days and weeks I have many ideas that I think would be pretty fun to blog about. I typically write in the evening as the day winds down, and lately I’ve been fairly tired and/or brain dead. One thing I think is pretty neat that I did a couple days ago was trying out KOReader. I heard about it on an open source software forum. It’s an alternative operating system for E-Readers. It started off for Kindle and Kobo which is how it was named. Now it works on many different E-Readers. I can only speak to the Kobo side of things, that’s what we have and the only version I’ve looked into and applied.
At first I tried running a script to do it all for me, and I was having troubles. So I ended up just copying and pasting the different files into the Kobo and it worked great. It’s a pretty easy process on the Kobo and I’m enjoying it. Overall it’s a little snappier and has a lot more options, it’s intuitive and so far I like it better than the default OS. I’ve read that the battery lasts longer for most people, I can’t say one way or another on that yet since I’m only a few days into it. One great thing about it is that you don’t have to reformat the entire system. It launches from the original OS, you can use either OS – and if you wanted to get rid of the KOReader OS you can just delete the files and its gone. Pretty slick in my view. I also installed Plato at the same time, another OS option. I’d guess I won’t use that one, it is very simple without a lot of options. Good for people who like bare bones simple setups.
If anyone is interested I’ll share what I did and you could do the same. This works on the Kobo BW and Kobo Clara 2E. I can only vouch for this, because that is all I’ve done. But if you have another E-Reader just search around the internet for instructions for your model – I’d imagine it won’t be too challenging. The version I downloaded was a little older but it’s a package with all you need in one zip file which was very convenient.
Instructions for installing KOReader and/or Plato on the Kobo BW or Kobo Clara 2E:
Download the files - I’d recommend “OCP-Plato-0.9.45_KOReader-v2026.03.zip”
Extract the files – I’d recommend extracting them on your computer not the Kobo. I also like backing things up. So I created a folder on my computer that I put these files in and also copied all of the files from the Kobo as a backup and reference.
Plug in the Kobo via USB to a computer and click the prompt on your Kobo to connect the two. With this you need to either use the USB cable that came with your Kobo or use a high data transfer USB cable. Some cheap cables don’t have high enough transfer rates to connect your Kobo to your computer for data transfers.
From your new extracted folder open it up and transfer (copy or cut) the icons folder, .adds folder, Kfmon.png and koreader.png into the root folder on your Kobo.
Also take the KoboRoot.tgz (don’t extract it) from the .kobo folder from your computer and put a copy of it into your .kobo folder on the Kobo. This file is to create the menu on the bottom right of your original Kobo OS to launch your new KOReader and Plato OS. If you do not want Plato or KOReader OS you can not transfer or delete the folder in the .adds folder of whichever OS you don’t want. You also can delete the config file in the .adds/nm folder.
I’ve read a few installation guides saying to install the KoboRoot.tgz first and then the KOReader OS, I did it all at once and it worked fine. Once installed disconnect the Kobo and it should automatically load the files and reboot. If it doesn’t just reboot it yourself. One of our Kobo readers auto installed and rebooted, the other did not and I manually rebooted the system by holding the button on the back. Once it started back up on the bottom right I had a new popup menu with KOReader and Plato as options. Click on the OS you want to launch and you’re good to go. Check the links below for additional guidance and help.
The KOReader OS does not come with a dictionary. You can connect to the internet and download one or directly add one manually to the folder .adds/koreader/data/dict. I honestly forget what I did, I tried a few and didn't like them and ended up with one from Stardict. I'll add a zip file of what I have currently as my dictionary. If you want to use that just download the zip file, unzip it, and put all the contents into your dict folder. I don't think you actually need all of that (like the _MACOSX folder) - but it's working so I've left it.
Additional information:
Alternative install guide or try this one for more information
Hacking the Kobo to avoid registration
File downloads:
OCP-Plato-0.9.45_KOReader-v2026.03.zip
Alternative “OCP-Plato-0.9.45_KOReader-v2026.03.zip” download here if the original link fails
Dictionary option for KOReader
Awesome Ebook management software (Calibre)
There is more information on an older post called "DIY Tech Privacy."