Glo Retaining Calibre information my wife's new Kobo

Chocky · 01-25-2026, 05:57 AM

My wife currently has a Kobo Glo and the usb port has stopped functioning.

Rather than mess around trying to solder a new one I am getting a Clara BW.

I use the same Calibre installation for both our Kobos, (I have a Kobo Glo HD), and wondered if there is somehow that I can save all of her Calibre settings.

I have managed to connect the eBook by pulling the cable at an angle and I've backed up the device to the PC.

When I get the new Kobo is it just a matter of registering it on Calibre as my wife's and it will pick up the correct database?

Chocky · 01-25-2026, 01:19 PM

Set up the new Clara BW, but I get this error message.

calibre, version 8.16.2 (win32, embedded-python: True)
Failed to back up device database: Failed: Backing up Kobo device database

[Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\Calibre Backup\\KoboReader-KoboClaraBW-N********************.sqlite'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 110, in run
File "calibre_plugins.koboutilities.features.backup ", line 194, in device_database_backup_job
File "shutil.py", line 258, in copyfile
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\Calibre Backup\\KoboReader-KoboClaraBW-N***********************.sqlite'

Chocky · 01-25-2026, 01:20 PM

I still need to try to get the new Kobo to the same state re read percentage etc.

Sirtel · 01-25-2026, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocky

I still need to try to get the new Kobo to the same state re read percentage etc.

I've never copied the database over, but what I've done is to store the reading progress in calibre with the Kobo Utilities plugin and restore it to another Kobo.

JSWolf · 01-25-2026, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I've never copied the database over, but what I've done is to store the reading progress in calibre with the Kobo Utilities plugin and restore it to another Kobo.

I copied my Aura H2O database over to my Libra 2. I also copied all of the books and settings. Worked perfectly.

DNSB · 01-25-2026, 03:19 PM

Sometimes copying the database over works. Sometimes it doesn't. When I picked up a new Sage, I tried copying the database, settings and books from the old Sage to the new device. Safely ejected and about 2 seconds later, Critical Error with a sign out option popup. Tried again this time copying the entire FAT32 partition. Critical Error with sign out option popup.

Gave up, set up the Sage with Kobo, added NickelMenu, DropBox, Google Drive, Instapaper, Overdrive, etc. Imported my library, restored reading positions and so far so good.

JSWolf · 01-25-2026, 03:43 PM

The USB port may be able to be fixed.

DNSB · 01-25-2026, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The only thing that can be done is pray the battery stays good enough to use the Glo to find current reading positions and maybe what books are on it. Copying the database isn't going to wok since the USB port is not working. However, the USB port may be able to be fixed.

The OP did mention that they connected by holding the USB plug at an angle and they did copy the contents over to their PC.

Chocky · 01-26-2026, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I've never copied the database over, but what I've done is to store the reading progress in calibre with the Kobo Utilities plugin and restore it to another Kobo.

That's what I am basically trying to do, but it would not copy the progress over.

Given up now as she wanted to use it and printed out what was on her Kobo, and for the time being just loaded up the ones she hasn't read.

kakoo · 01-26-2026, 05:23 AM

This thread helped when I transferred the database to a new device.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=336182

JSWolf · 01-26-2026, 06:00 AM

@Chocky Install Kobo Utilities in calibre. Configure Kobo Utilities to download and save the reading positions. Then connect the Glo to the computer and download the reading positions. After that, on the new Kobo, copy all of the books from the backup to the new Kobo. Plug the new Kobo into calibre. Eject so the Kobo will import all of those books. Connect again and you can then use Kobo Utilities to restore the reading positions.

That will do it to get the books over and the reading positions.

Chocky · 01-26-2026, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

@Chocky Install Kobo Utilities in calibre. Configure Kobo Utilities to download and save the reading positions. Then connect the Glo to the computer and download the reading positions. After that, on the new Kobo, copy all of the books from the backup to the new Kobo. Plug the new Kobo into calibre. Eject so the Kobo will import all of those books. Connect again and you can then use Kobo Utilities to restore the reading positions.

That will do it to get the books over and the reading positions.

Thank you for your response.

I already have the reading positions that are correct when I plug in my Kobo, or my wife's old one.

I have done a trial where I copied a few of the books that were on her old Kobo to the new one. Ejected it, re-connected it, but the reading percentages did not get saved to her new Kobo.

I've got her old Kobo and mine "registered", if that's the right term so I can see them when I want to update reading positions.

I've chosen the her old Kobo in the pop down and requested to restore reading positions, but it doesn't.

I do not really understand the backup, I assume it backs everything up, including all of my books.

I've probably set Calibre up wrong for two eReaders, but her books are a subset of mine so didn't want two different Calibre saved folders.

Chocky · 01-26-2026, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocky

Set up the new Clara BW, but I get this error message.

calibre, version 8.16.2 (win32, embedded-python: True)
Failed to back up device database: Failed: Backing up Kobo device database

[Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\Calibre Backup\\KoboReader-KoboClaraBW-N********************.sqlite'

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 110, in run
File "calibre_plugins.koboutilities.features.backup ", line 194, in device_database_backup_job
File "shutil.py", line 258, in copyfile
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\Calibre Backup\\KoboReader-KoboClaraBW-N***********************.sqlite'

I'm still getting this as well.

Sirtel · 01-26-2026, 08:31 AM

Reading positions won't get restored to your device automatically. You must restore them manually by selecting the option in Kobo Utilities.

Chocky · 01-26-2026, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Reading positions won't get restored to your device automatically. You must restore them manually by selecting the option in Kobo Utilities.

I have done

01-25-2026, 05:57 AM	#1
Chocky Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 162138 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo Touch	Retaining Calibre information my wife's new Kobo My wife currently has a Kobo Glo and the usb port has stopped functioning. Rather than mess around trying to solder a new one I am getting a Clara BW. I use the same Calibre installation for both our Kobos, (I have a Kobo Glo HD), and wondered if there is somehow that I can save all of her Calibre settings. I have managed to connect the eBook by pulling the cable at an angle and I've backed up the device to the PC. When I get the new Kobo is it just a matter of registering it on Calibre as my wife's and it will pick up the correct database? Last edited by Chocky; 01-25-2026 at 06:06 AM.

01-25-2026, 03:43 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 81,938 Karma: 150266009 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The USB port may be able to be fixed. Last edited by JSWolf; 01-25-2026 at 05:28 PM.

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01-25-2026, 01:19 PM	#2
Chocky Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 162138 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo Touch	Set up the new Clara BW, but I get this error message. calibre, version 8.16.2 (win32, embedded-python: True) Failed to back up device database: Failed: Backing up Kobo device database [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\Calibre Backup\\KoboReader-KoboClaraBW-N******************.sqlite' Traceback (most recent call last): File "calibre\gui2\device.py", line 110, in run File "calibre_plugins.koboutilities.features.backup ", line 194, in device_database_backup_job File "shutil.py", line 258, in copyfile FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'D:\\Calibre Backup\\KoboReader-KoboClaraBW-N*********************.sqlite'

01-25-2026, 01:20 PM	#3
Chocky Evangelist Posts: 405 Karma: 162138 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kobo Touch	I still need to try to get the new Kobo to the same state re read percentage etc.

01-25-2026, 03:19 PM	#6
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 50,011 Karma: 178398936 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Sometimes copying the database over works. Sometimes it doesn't. When I picked up a new Sage, I tried copying the database, settings and books from the old Sage to the new device. Safely ejected and about 2 seconds later, Critical Error with a sign out option popup. Tried again this time copying the entire FAT32 partition. Critical Error with sign out option popup. Gave up, set up the Sage with Kobo, added NickelMenu, DropBox, Google Drive, Instapaper, Overdrive, etc. Imported my library, restored reading positions and so far so good.

01-26-2026, 05:23 AM	#10
kakoo Member Posts: 11 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Jul 2022 Device: Kobo Clara BW	This thread helped when I transferred the database to a new device. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=336182

01-26-2026, 06:00 AM	#11
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 81,938 Karma: 150266009 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	@Chocky Install Kobo Utilities in calibre. Configure Kobo Utilities to download and save the reading positions. Then connect the Glo to the computer and download the reading positions. After that, on the new Kobo, copy all of the books from the backup to the new Kobo. Plug the new Kobo into calibre. Eject so the Kobo will import all of those books. Connect again and you can then use Kobo Utilities to restore the reading positions. That will do it to get the books over and the reading positions.

01-26-2026, 08:31 AM	#14
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,614 Karma: 245020905 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Reading positions won't get restored to your device automatically. You must restore them manually by selecting the option in Kobo Utilities.