Is it worth updating host firmware when using Koreader?

alaskazimm · 06-07-2025, 01:24 PM

I have a Paperwhite Gen 11 (jailbroken and not updated since 5.17.xxx) and a Kobo Clara Colour. I see that new firmware has been released for both devices in the last month or two, but what benefit is there do updating the firmware on them if I use Koreader exclusively? It seems like it is almost always a crapshoot as to whether or not the jailbreak will still be intact or the launchers for Koreader will still function.

So why update is the question?

hius07 · 06-07-2025, 02:14 PM

I do not update my PW5.

alaskazimm · 06-08-2025, 12:32 AM

Thanks. As long as the host firmware doesn't impact Koreader then I'll not bother with either Kindle or Kobo updates.

DJUNGELSKOG · 06-09-2025, 07:27 AM

Don't bother, these "updates" don't really add anything meaningful

JSWolf · 06-10-2025, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskazimm

I have a Paperwhite Gen 11 (jailbroken and not updated since 5.17.xxx) and a Kobo Clara Colour. I see that new firmware has been released for both devices in the last month or two, but what benefit is there do updating the firmware on them if I use Koreader exclusively? It seems like it is almost always a crapshoot as to whether or not the jailbreak will still be intact or the launchers for Koreader will still function.

So why update is the question?

If you use NickelMenu to launch KOReader on your Kobo, it will still work after you update the firmware. That's why using KFMon is a rather bad idea. If you do use KFMon, KFMon should be uninstalled and you should setup NickelMenu to launch KOReader.

alaskazimm · 06-10-2025, 08:55 PM

Thanks. I do use NickelMenu to launch Koreader so that's good to know. But I never read in the Kobo stock reader, so the real question is how much does the stock firmware impact Koreader, if at all?

DJUNGELSKOG · 06-12-2025, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskazimm

Thanks. I do use NickelMenu to launch Koreader so that's good to know. But I never read in the Kobo stock reader, so the real question is how much does the stock firmware impact Koreader, if at all?

Stock firmware doesn't impact Koreader whatsoever

alva · 07-20-2025, 02:51 PM

I do update, as I want eg updates in regards to security for the wifi of the device

TheSmitty · 07-21-2025, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you use NickelMenu to launch KOReader on your Kobo, it will still work after you update the firmware. That's why using KFMon is a rather bad idea. If you do use KFMon, KFMon should be uninstalled and you should setup NickelMenu to launch KOReader.

That interesting. I use nickelmenu and the option for koreader kicks off kfmon? Am I installed wrong?

Frenzie · 07-28-2025, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSmitty

That interesting. I use nickelmenu and the option for koreader kicks off kfmon? Am I installed wrong?

If you check in the NickelMenu folder you'll find a commented entry for starting KOReader directly. In most cases that'll survive upgrades.

I'm not really sure why it's not the default. I also only found out about it fairly recently (this year or last year).

06-07-2025, 01:24 PM	#1
alaskazimm Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 338 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Western Alaska Device: Kindle Paperwhite PW5, Kobo Clara Colour	Is it worth updating host firmware when using Koreader? I have a Paperwhite Gen 11 (jailbroken and not updated since 5.17.xxx) and a Kobo Clara Colour. I see that new firmware has been released for both devices in the last month or two, but what benefit is there do updating the firmware on them if I use Koreader exclusively? It seems like it is almost always a crapshoot as to whether or not the jailbreak will still be intact or the launchers for Koreader will still function. So why update is the question?

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06-07-2025, 02:14 PM	#2
hius07 Wizard Posts: 1,194 Karma: 3592927 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Ukraine Device: Kindle	I do not update my PW5.

06-08-2025, 12:32 AM	#3
alaskazimm Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 338 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Western Alaska Device: Kindle Paperwhite PW5, Kobo Clara Colour	Thanks. As long as the host firmware doesn't impact Koreader then I'll not bother with either Kindle or Kobo updates.

06-09-2025, 07:27 AM	#4
DJUNGELSKOG Zealot Posts: 112 Karma: 491120 Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Belgium / Vlaanderen Device: Kobo Libra 2 + Vivlio Light HD + (ancient) iPad Pro	Don't bother, these "updates" don't really add anything meaningful

06-10-2025, 08:55 PM	#6
alaskazimm Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 338 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Western Alaska Device: Kindle Paperwhite PW5, Kobo Clara Colour	Thanks. I do use NickelMenu to launch Koreader so that's good to know. But I never read in the Kobo stock reader, so the real question is how much does the stock firmware impact Koreader, if at all?

07-20-2025, 02:51 PM	#8
alva Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2024 Device: kobo Clara color	I do update, as I want eg updates in regards to security for the wifi of the device