Android App Bluetooth page turning on Kobo: which models work natively (2024+ firmware)

[teipub]

The older threads on this topic are locked now, and the answers in them predate a significant change: recent Kobo firmware (roughly 2024 onward) added native HID arrow-key support. So Bluetooth page turning now works at the firmware level — no KOReader, no hacks — on:

- Clara 2E, Clara BW, Clara Colour
- Libra 2, Libra Colour
- Sage, Elipsa 2E

Standard BT keyboards, clicker remotes, and phone-based remotes all work. Models without a Bluetooth radio obviously can't.

Two things that still trip people up:
- The reader drops BT input when the screen sleeps — tap to wake and it reconnects. This is often mistaken for the remote being broken.
- Some remotes send media keys instead of arrow keys; Kobo ignores those, so check what your remote actually sends.

Disclosure: I'm the developer of Bookmote, a free Android app that turns your phone into a BT page-turn remote, which is why I've been collecting model-by-model reports. The full compatibility list is public here: https://jeon-gyungmin.github.io/Bookmote-releases/ —
community-reported, corrections welcome. If you've tested a model that isn't listed, I'd genuinely appreciate hearing the result, here or there.

Happy to answer questions about specific models.

[fogice]

It's been my impression that my Libra 2 drains the battery much more quickly than I would expect while using a page turner (in my case, the 8BitDo Micro). What have you seen in your testing?

[RobertJSawyer]

Originally Posted by fogice

It's been my impression that my Libra 2 drains the battery much more quickly than I would expect while using a page turner (in my case, the 8BitDo Micro). What have you seen in your testing?

I have the same perception, Fogice, with my Libra 2. But the drainage on my Clara 2e isn't as bad.

[catsknit]

What is the advantage of a remote page-turner? I must be missing something obvious but can't think of a time I'm reading and can't use my right hand on the Libra to page turn.

[DNSB]

One friend of mine has circulation issues. When he is reading in bed with a holder for his Libra Colour, his hands are under the covers keeping warm. Works great until he needs to pick a new book.

[catsknit]

Ah, that makes sense I guess. I never read in bed anymore as it hurts my neck so I hadn't thought of that. Any other reasons besides keeping hands warm?

[DNSB]

Some people have health issues which make it hard for them to hold the ereader. For them, the remote allows turning pages without having to reach out to the ereader. A remote is not needed for most people but for others, it is the only way they can read comfortably.

[John F]

Originally Posted by catsknit

Ah, that makes sense I guess. I never read in bed anymore as it hurts my neck so I hadn't thought of that. Any other reasons besides keeping hands warm?

For me, it would be more comfortable.