Modify iPad for ereader "look"?

tm3 · 01-19-2026, 11:36 AM

Lately I've been experimenting with my iPad for reading, and have realized that it has several features that I prefer over my Kindle Paperwhite: large screen, scrolling instead of page turning, bold text. What I greatly prefer with the Kindle however is the look of the screen as compared to the backlit screen of the iPad.

Is there a way to more closely approximate the look of the Kindle on the iPad? For example, I see that there are screen protectors marketed for the iPad that are supposed to be more like writing on paper, as they have a bit of a matte texture. I'm wondering if that might be a step in the right direction, or if there is an app that allows for more adjustment of the iPad screen than what is built in to the Books app.

Thanks for any suggestions!

JSWolf · 01-19-2026, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm3

Lately I've been experimenting with my iPad for reading, and have realized that it has several features that I prefer over my Kindle Paperwhite: large screen, scrolling instead of page turning, bold text. What I greatly prefer with the Kindle however is the look of the screen as compared to the backlit screen of the iPad.

Is there a way to more closely approximate the look of the Kindle on the iPad? For example, I see that there are screen protectors marketed for the iPad that are supposed to be more like writing on paper, as they have a bit of a matte texture. I'm wondering if that might be a step in the right direction, or if there is an app that allows for more adjustment of the iPad screen than what is built in to the Books app.

Thanks for any suggestions!

All you need to do is change the colors and if that cannot be done in Books (it's been a while since I've run Books) then you can put the colors in the CSS.

tm3 · 01-19-2026, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

All you need to do is change the colors and if that cannot be done in Books (it's been a while since I've run Books) then you can put the colors in the CSS.

Thanks for replying. I've fiddled with the controls in Books and have gotten an improvement, but still not quite what I'd like.

What does CSS stand for?

JSWolf · 01-19-2026, 03:13 PM

CSS = Cascading Style Sheet

It's a part of most eBooks. It goes along with HTML. I am surprised you don't know what CSS is.

HTML and CSS Tutorial
https://www.w3schools.com/htmlcss/default.asp

tm3 · 01-20-2026, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

CSS = Cascading Style Sheet

It's a part of most eBooks. It goes along with HTML. I am surprised you don't know what CSS is.

HTML and CSS Tutorial
https://www.w3schools.com/htmlcss/default.asp

Thank you for that! I'll look into it.

Do you have any experience with the matte "paper-like" iPad screen protectors?

rfog · 01-20-2026, 10:35 AM

In accessibility, enable one of the inverted modes and add it to the drop-down menu, and enable color filters as well to grayscale and enable/disable it via triple power button click. Some combinations of those, more with the nanotextured iPad, are quite similar to an eink device, but without the low contrast issues.

tm3 · 01-20-2026, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfog

In accessibility, enable one of the inverted modes and add it to the drop-down menu, and enable color filters as well to grayscale and enable/disable it via triple power button click. Some combinations of those, more with the nanotextured iPad, are quite similar to an eink device, but without the low contrast issues.

That is interesting -- will give it a shot. Thanks!

tm3 · 01-20-2026, 01:26 PM

I also came across this which is interesting:

https://youtu.be/O0BP0Sq4wWg?si=MMv6oUxoVtJGjidE

rfog · 01-20-2026, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm3

I also came across this which is interesting:

https://youtu.be/O0BP0Sq4wWg?si=MMv6oUxoVtJGjidE

Yes, that is more or less what I wrote. And if the iPad is M4/M5 with OLED screen, black is black and contrast is dramatically superior to any ereader. Inverted colors (or black background an yellowish letters) make the most contrast with the least direct eyes light impact.

JSWolf · 01-20-2026, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm3

Thank you for that! I'll look into it.

Do you have any experience with the matte "paper-like" iPad screen protectors?

I've never had the need for a screen protector on an iPad.

rfog · 01-21-2026, 06:06 AM

I tried some paper-like protectors and removed them very quickly because they tended to add a lot of graininess to light colors.

tm3 · 01-21-2026, 09:14 AM

I'm not sure what to think about the "paper matte" screen protector. In the video I posted, it seemed to give some of the Kindle "look" to the iPad. However, I don't see how it would provide any protection. Currently I have a tempered glass screen protector on the iPad, and I have seen those do their job when unintentional drops or other accidents have occurred. Maybe it becomes an either/or choice.

tm3 · 01-21-2026, 09:21 AM

On a related note, I saw another video in which the reviewer was talking about the Kindle Scribe and a Boox device. He showed how they both have an attached matte screen cover, which is removable (he peeled up a corner to demonstrate). I guess that is what provides those devices with their tactile feel for stylus writing. It makes me wonder how often, if ever, that matte cover needs replacing and if it is user replaceable.

rfog · 01-21-2026, 09:46 AM

Not my Scribe (2022) nor any of my Boox (4 different models) have any removable screen saver. At least the ones sold in The Netherlands.

tm3 · 01-22-2026, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfog

Not my Scribe (2022) nor any of my Boox (4 different models) have any removable screen saver. At least the ones sold in The Netherlands.

Here you go, at about the 6 minute mark. Same reviewer shows it on the Scribe in another video.

https://youtu.be/fxkMN46gFAw?si=7ni4Y2f51Kia7I9T

01-19-2026, 11:36 AM	#1
tm3 Addict Posts: 203 Karma: 81140 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Paperwhite	Modify iPad for ereader "look"? Lately I've been experimenting with my iPad for reading, and have realized that it has several features that I prefer over my Kindle Paperwhite: large screen, scrolling instead of page turning, bold text. What I greatly prefer with the Kindle however is the look of the screen as compared to the backlit screen of the iPad. Is there a way to more closely approximate the look of the Kindle on the iPad? For example, I see that there are screen protectors marketed for the iPad that are supposed to be more like writing on paper, as they have a bit of a matte texture. I'm wondering if that might be a step in the right direction, or if there is an app that allows for more adjustment of the iPad screen than what is built in to the Books app. Thanks for any suggestions!

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01-19-2026, 03:13 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 82,061 Karma: 150871335 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	CSS = Cascading Style Sheet It's a part of most eBooks. It goes along with HTML. I am surprised you don't know what CSS is. HTML and CSS Tutorial https://www.w3schools.com/htmlcss/default.asp

01-20-2026, 10:35 AM	#6
rfog Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 2383546 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Schiedam (The Netherlands) Device: Lots of eInk devices and iOS stuff	In accessibility, enable one of the inverted modes and add it to the drop-down menu, and enable color filters as well to grayscale and enable/disable it via triple power button click. Some combinations of those, more with the nanotextured iPad, are quite similar to an eink device, but without the low contrast issues.

01-20-2026, 01:26 PM	#8
tm3 Addict Posts: 203 Karma: 81140 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Paperwhite	I also came across this which is interesting: https://youtu.be/O0BP0Sq4wWg?si=MMv6oUxoVtJGjidE

01-21-2026, 06:06 AM	#11
rfog Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 2383546 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Schiedam (The Netherlands) Device: Lots of eInk devices and iOS stuff	I tried some paper-like protectors and removed them very quickly because they tended to add a lot of graininess to light colors.

01-21-2026, 09:14 AM	#12
tm3 Addict Posts: 203 Karma: 81140 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Paperwhite	I'm not sure what to think about the "paper matte" screen protector. In the video I posted, it seemed to give some of the Kindle "look" to the iPad. However, I don't see how it would provide any protection. Currently I have a tempered glass screen protector on the iPad, and I have seen those do their job when unintentional drops or other accidents have occurred. Maybe it becomes an either/or choice.

01-21-2026, 09:21 AM	#13
tm3 Addict Posts: 203 Karma: 81140 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Paperwhite	On a related note, I saw another video in which the reviewer was talking about the Kindle Scribe and a Boox device. He showed how they both have an attached matte screen cover, which is removable (he peeled up a corner to demonstrate). I guess that is what provides those devices with their tactile feel for stylus writing. It makes me wonder how often, if ever, that matte cover needs replacing and if it is user replaceable.

01-21-2026, 09:46 AM	#14
rfog Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 2383546 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Schiedam (The Netherlands) Device: Lots of eInk devices and iOS stuff	Not my Scribe (2022) nor any of my Boox (4 different models) have any removable screen saver. At least the ones sold in The Netherlands.

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