Tried to Update Kobo Mini with Glo firmware and I think I bricked it?

imaginetat · 10-24-2025, 07:23 PM

Hi! I recently tried to restore a Kobo Mini by manually adding the Glo firmware, as I've seen discussed online. I used the latest Glo firmware (4.38.23429), and now I am wondering if maybe it should have been an older version?

It looked like it was updating properly but it hasn't come back to life and it's just stuck on the vertical dots. I tried a soft reset and it just comes back to the dots... and my computer won't recognize it anymore.

I am using a Macbook.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

DNSB · 10-24-2025, 07:33 PM

That does look as if the Mini did not like the latest Glo firmware. The latest version I've tried on a Mini is 4.38.21908.

You can try a manual factory reset on your Mini using the procedure from Manual reset your Kobo Mini and then try installing newer firmware.

If that doesn't work, you can leave a message in the Kobo µSD Card Image Requests forum requesting an image for a Kobo N705 Mini.

imaginetat · 10-24-2025, 07:44 PM

Thank you so much for your response! I just tried the manual reset and unfortunately, same vertical dots came back. I will request the SD card image as you suggested.

If I can get it back to it's original state, do you happen to know what Glo firmware version I should be using to upgrade it?

DNSB · 10-24-2025, 10:30 PM

I would suggest the 4.38.21908 image though I haven't tested any newer images.

JSWolf · 10-25-2025, 07:12 AM

Given you would have a working image, I suggest trying 4.38.2171 and if that doesn't work, then go back to the suggested firmware.

4.38.23429 has problems with some Kobo. SO that could be why it failed. The 4.38.2171 is not problematic and may work.

bluepeter · 10-25-2025, 02:37 PM

FWIW, I've got 4.38.23171 running on my Mini.

rcentros · 10-25-2025, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepeter

FWIW, I've got 4.38.23171 running on my Mini.

Happy to hear that. I like those little Minis. I wish Kobo would make a new one with an updated screen and front light.

bluepeter · 10-25-2025, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

I like those little Minis. I wish Kobo would make a new one with an updated screen and front light.

So do I!

10-24-2025, 07:23 PM	#1
imaginetat Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2025 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Tried to Update Kobo Mini with Glo firmware and I think I bricked it? Hi! I recently tried to restore a Kobo Mini by manually adding the Glo firmware, as I've seen discussed online. I used the latest Glo firmware (4.38.23429), and now I am wondering if maybe it should have been an older version? It looked like it was updating properly but it hasn't come back to life and it's just stuck on the vertical dots. I tried a soft reset and it just comes back to the dots... and my computer won't recognize it anymore. I am using a Macbook. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Attached Thumbnails

10-25-2025, 07:12 AM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,786 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Given you would have a working image, I suggest trying 4.38.2171 and if that doesn't work, then go back to the suggested firmware. 4.38.23429 has problems with some Kobo. SO that could be why it failed. The 4.38.2171 is not problematic and may work. Last edited by JSWolf; 10-25-2025 at 07:15 AM.

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10-24-2025, 07:33 PM	#2
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 48,197 Karma: 174315444 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	That does look as if the Mini did not like the latest Glo firmware. The latest version I've tried on a Mini is 4.38.21908. You can try a manual factory reset on your Mini using the procedure from Manual reset your Kobo Mini and then try installing newer firmware. If that doesn't work, you can leave a message in the Kobo µSD Card Image Requests forum requesting an image for a Kobo N705 Mini.

10-24-2025, 07:44 PM	#3
imaginetat Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2025 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Thank you so much for your response! I just tried the manual reset and unfortunately, same vertical dots came back. I will request the SD card image as you suggested. If I can get it back to it's original state, do you happen to know what Glo firmware version I should be using to upgrade it?

10-24-2025, 10:30 PM	#4
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 48,197 Karma: 174315444 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I would suggest the 4.38.21908 image though I haven't tested any newer images.

10-25-2025, 02:37 PM	#6
bluepeter Addict Posts: 272 Karma: 1028630 Join Date: May 2024 Location: Salisbury, UK Device: Clara BW, Mini, Kindle (11G), Paperwhite (10G), Boox Poke 5	FWIW, I've got 4.38.23171 running on my Mini.

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