Clara BW Cables

JanG · 08-04-2026, 04:17 AM

Really simple question: I recently bought a Clara BW but I left the cable at a friend's house. Until I can get it back can I use any USBC to USBC cable (like the one from my Samsung phone)?

TIA

Sirtel · 08-04-2026, 04:35 AM

For what? Charging? Book transfer? Some cables are only for charging and can't be used for data transfer.

Otherwise, yes, you can use any cable, there's no need to use the one that came with the device.

JanG · 08-04-2026, 04:43 AM

For charging and for transferring books from Calibre. I have Samsung and Kindle USB-C to USB-C cables.

Sirtel · 08-04-2026, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanG

For charging and for transferring books from Calibre. I have Samsung and Kindle USB-C to USB-C cables.

I don't know if the Samsung cable can be used for data transfer. Well, try it and see. It won't connect the Kobo to the computer if it's charge-only.

You can use both of them for charging and if they allow data transfer, then for that too.

JanG · 08-04-2026, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I don't know if the Samsung cable can be used for data transfer. Well, try it and see. It won't connect the Kobo to the computer if it's charge-only.

You can use both of them for charging and if they allow data transfer, then for that too.

rashkae · 08-06-2026, 11:22 AM

You can use any cable that has usb2 data transfer and power charging pin-out. Unfortunately, actually complete usb-c cables are rare, expensive, and too rigid, so most cables have a small subset of wires. Most of them will work for usb-2 data transfer and 5v 1A power. But the dismal state of certification and standardization means you'll probably just have to try and see.

JanG · 08-07-2026, 12:20 PM

I used a USB-C to USB-C Samsung cable that I use for my phone. It worked just fine.

JSWolf · 08-07-2026, 03:23 PM

Most of the time when you are told told to be careful because the cable could be a charge only cable, most of the time, that's not correct. Cables that come with phones are not charge only. They need to be able to allow data to be send to/from the phone.

Sirtel · 08-07-2026, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Most of the time when you are told told to be careful because the cable could be a charge only cable, most of the time, that's not correct. Cables that come with phones are not charge only. They need to be able to allow data to be send to/from the phone.

I've never connected any of my phones to my computers with a cable. Mostly I use Dropbox or Gmail to transfer files between them, as it's faster than bothering with cables.

JSWolf · Yesterday, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I've never connected any of my phones to my computers with a cable. Mostly I use Dropbox or Gmail to transfer files between them, as it's faster than bothering with cables.

I usually use OneDrive. Same difference.

The cable I'm using with my Libra 2 came from an iPhone.

08-04-2026, 04:17 AM	#1
JanG Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 6266 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Laptop; Kobo Clara	Cables Really simple question: I recently bought a Clara BW but I left the cable at a friend's house. Until I can get it back can I use any USBC to USBC cable (like the one from my Samsung phone)? TIA

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08-04-2026, 04:35 AM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,543 Karma: 248046501 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	For what? Charging? Book transfer? Some cables are only for charging and can't be used for data transfer. Otherwise, yes, you can use any cable, there's no need to use the one that came with the device.

08-04-2026, 04:43 AM	#3
JanG Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 6266 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Laptop; Kobo Clara	For charging and for transferring books from Calibre. I have Samsung and Kindle USB-C to USB-C cables.

08-06-2026, 11:22 AM	#6
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,293 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	You can use any cable that has usb2 data transfer and power charging pin-out. Unfortunately, actually complete usb-c cables are rare, expensive, and too rigid, so most cables have a small subset of wires. Most of them will work for usb-2 data transfer and 5v 1A power. But the dismal state of certification and standardization means you'll probably just have to try and see.

08-07-2026, 12:20 PM	#7
JanG Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 6266 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Laptop; Kobo Clara	I used a USB-C to USB-C Samsung cable that I use for my phone. It worked just fine.

08-07-2026, 03:23 PM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 84,438 Karma: 153744815 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Most of the time when you are told told to be careful because the cable could be a charge only cable, most of the time, that's not correct. Cables that come with phones are not charge only. They need to be able to allow data to be send to/from the phone.