Can’t enable night mode on aura one

[nightmodeguy]

I was very excited to read on this forum that nightmode can be enabled on the newer Kobo readers, and even is available for the Auro One. I was also interested to find out that invert screen has always been possible with the newer menu.

However I cannot figure out how to enable either. I've gone into settings, enabled beta features, and can find nothing. I also tried the manual edit, which can be accomplished in the .kobo folder. I searched on my Windows 10 PC high and low for such a folder, but could not find it. All that appears in file Explorer, even with show hidden files, is the icon for the kobo app. No matter what I do with that icon, all that happens is that the kobo desktop app opens up.

I'd appreciate any help, as night or invert screen would go a long way to reducing eyestrain for me.

Also, of the newer models, which has the best display? I also find color eInk fascinating, and hope that kobo will create a device with great color, and high contrast.

Thanks!

[DNSB]

Did you manage to find Settings => Reading Settings => Dark Mode (on a Sage, it's on the second page of the Reading settings). If not, what firmware version are you using?

You can also use NickelMenu to allow fewer taps to access this and Inverted mode though Inverted mode does require a restart.

You will need to add the following lines to NM's configuration file:

#
menu_item : reader  : Dark Mode          : nickel_setting : toggle : dark_mode
menu_item : reader  : Invert & Reboot    : nickel_setting : toggle : invert
    chain_success   : power              : reboot
#

[nightmodeguy]

Thanks for your help.

I checked both pages of reading settings… Nothing

I try to see what firmware or other software was on my device or going to a boat, but no information there.

I assume that nickel menu is downloadable from a third-party. Is kobo OK with it being installed?

I mentioned how hard it was for me to find the config file that was mentioned in the posting about inverting the screen.

I did find a kobo folder in programs (X 86) on my windows 10 PC, and although it contained many folders and libraries, no such File as was mentioned in the post. Interestingly enough, I did find a file named “Nickel“



Sent from my iPad

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by nightmodeguy

I mentioned how hard it was for me to find the config file that was mentioned in the posting about inverting the screen.

I did find a kobo folder in programs (X 86) on my windows 10 PC, and although it contained many folders and libraries, no such File as was mentioned in the post. Interestingly enough, I did find a file named “Nickel“



Sent from my iPad

The .kobo folder is on your Kobo, not on your PC. Connect your Kobo to your PC and look at it in the File Explorer.

[nightmodeguy]

Are you saying that the folder is technically on the kobo, but only visible when connected to a PC in file explore?

I have the device connected right now, and cannot find it in file explorer.

Still a bit confused

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by nightmodeguy

Are you saying that the folder is technically on the kobo, but only visible when connected to a PC in file explore?

Yes, exactly.

[nightmodeguy]

The problem remains, I cannot find any kobo device or kobo folder on my windows 10 laptop, not even in file explorer.

The only folder I did find was in the program (X 86) folder, and that folder does not contain any editable config file as was mentioned in the earlier post.

I wish there was a video showing this, and I wish that this forum did not require captcha at every turn.

[Kindleing]

I don't use Windows but this is how it works on a Mac. You have to point Windows Explorer to the Kobo, not your computer file system.

- Plug the Kobo into your computer via USB.
- When the Kobo pops up the message "Computer Detected" click "Connect"
- Wait a minute, and then find "KOBOeReader" in the devices list or network list, or whatever it is called in Windows. It's the same place a thumbdrive (flash drive) would show up when plugged in.
- Click on "KOBOeReader".
- Make sure "Show Invisible Files" is on (however Windows labels it).
- Navigate to the directory .kobo (note the leading dot before kobo)
- That should show you a subdirectory that includes Kobo.
- Click on Kobo. Thats where you will find the file "Kobo eReader.conf".
- Edit the configuration file using a simple text editor, not MS Word or any other word processor type program. It must be a pure text editor with no formatting, and save files with Linux line endings.

Edit to add: make sure you eject the Kobo from Windows Explorer before unplugging the USB cable. Wait for the Kobo display to change to confirm it has been ejected.

Edit again: Sorry, ignore the part about editing "Kobo eReader.conf" - that was for a different reason. Follow the instructions the others have given.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by nightmodeguy

Are you saying that the folder is technically on the kobo, but only visible when connected to a PC in file explore?

I have the device connected right now, and cannot find it in file explorer.

Still a bit confused

It is not technically on the Kobo. It is on the Kobo in a directory named .kobo which would require your Kobo to be mounted to be visible. Much like a file on a flash drive requires the drive to be mounted before you can see them. When it is connected, you should see KOBOeReader (x:) where x: is the drive letter when your Kobo's exposed partition was mounted.

If you don't see Dark mode in the reading settings, you will need to install NickelMenu. See the NickelMenu: An integrated launcher for Kobo eReaders thread for more information.

[nightmodeguy]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

I’ve been in conversations with tech people from kobo, none of whom acknowledge the screen, inversion or dark mode are possible.

The question evolved into why my computer (Windows 10) cannot see, or reveal kobo as a device.

A question, raised by a technician himself, but never answered, is whether the aura one is compatible with windows 10.

There is also a question whether my device is actually updating. When I spoke with the technician, and we looked into device information, it showed an update from December 2022. He tells me that shows that my device is not updating, but I am wondering if the date shown is the date the update was released.

Did the menu change in the year that I did not use the device? It seems to me that the controls for changing font and font size were at the bottom, but no, it seems they migrated to the top, and that they work differently.

Looking down the road I’m wondering if people prefer the long battery life of the libra 2 even if that means giving up an inch of screen size. Some people say that the 7 inch size is easier on the eyes, and the carta 1200 might look better in the smaller Chris screen size. I’m also wondering whether the additional 100 dpi and increase contrast is noticeable relative to the aura one.

Still, I’d like to be able to get dark mode working on my aura one!

[Sirtel]

My Windows 10 PC can see even my ancient Kindles from 2011, so it certainly should see your Aura One. Try a different port and a different cable. Kobos can be finicky about cables.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by nightmodeguy

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

I’ve been in conversations with tech people from kobo, none of whom acknowledge the screen, inversion or dark mode are possible.

The question evolved into why my computer (Windows 10) cannot see, or reveal kobo as a device.

A question, raised by a technician himself, but never answered, is whether the aura one is compatible with windows 10.

If your Kobo is showing as connected on the device and not on the computer, I would suspect the USB cable and/or port. My Aura One connected to my computer on Windows 10 and now on Windows 11. There were some issue with some of the Windows Preview versions and both Kobo and Kindle ereaders but none that I've seen in the public release code.

Originally Posted by nightmodeguy

There is also a question whether my device is actually updating. When I spoke with the technician, and we looked into device information, it showed an update from December 2022. He tells me that shows that my device is not updating, but I am wondering if the date shown is the date the update was released.

Did the menu change in the year that I did not use the device? It seems to me that the controls for changing font and font size were at the bottom, but no, it seems they migrated to the top, and that they work differently.

December, 2022 was the release for 4.35.20400 which is the current release for Kobo ereaders other than the Elipsa 2E and the Mini.

Originally Posted by nightmodeguy

Looking down the road I’m wondering if people prefer the long battery life of the libra 2 even if that means giving up an inch of screen size. Some people say that the 7 inch size is easier on the eyes, and the carta 1200 might look better in the smaller Chris screen size. I’m also wondering whether the additional 100 dpi and increase contrast is noticeable relative to the aura one.

A rather odd statement. The Aura One has a 7.8" 300DPI screen while the Libra 2 has a 7" 300DPI screen. The Libra 2 does have a newer screen which has slightly better contrast and speed. There is no DPI difference. The Aura One screen resolution is 1404 x 1872 while the Libra 2 resolution is 1264 x 1680.

Originally Posted by nightmodeguy

Still, I’d like to be able to get dark mode working on my aura one!

Again, since the Aura One does not have the waveforms for dark mode, it is not supported out of the box. You will need to add NickelMenu to enable dark and inverted modes using the sample code in my previous message. This also has the advantage of making Dark Mode more easily accessible.

[nightmodeguy]

Thank you for the clarification. I was not aware that the aura one had 300 dpi, being under the misapprehension that it had 200 dpi.

That being said, are the newer screens more contrasty than that of the Aura one?

I have tried a different USB port, but have been thinking about the cable. It is possible that I am using a cable for another device with the kobo, and this might affect data transfer.

Any recommendations for a replacement, micro USB cable from Amazon?

[nightmodeguy]

I tried a micro USB cable from a different device as I cannot find my original aura one. This has produced interesting results.

The kobo prompt for connect to the PC appears, and when I hit connect, the screen goes off, and the kobo e-reader icon appears under this PC!

However, as soon as I hit the on button to bring the screen back to life, the kobo icon disappears from the computer!

I tried this twice, with the same result.

Is this normal? Should I try to edit while the kobo icon is showing, and the screen of the device is off?

This is really puzzling.

[nightmodeguy]

I don’t see where to edit so I’m posting again.

With the assistance of a Kobo rep, I downloaded a free book, this, while the kobo folder remains in my file explorer, and my screen remains off.

Peculiarly, even with the screen off, I was able to download a free book into my kobo!

The rep didn’t seem to know what’s going on. So I’m left with this, that even though connection results in the screen being off, I am able to download Books. I have the feeling I could edit the folder even with the display off and this peculiar connection situation. It’s a little nerve-racking though to do this kind of edit when the whole shut down process seems anomalous.

The nickel menu does require a fair bit of editing, it seems.