Clara BW How to start sideload mode without a Kobo account?

[Aleron Ives]

That method is obsolete now. The problem is getting the PC to recognise when the Kobo has been connected. Once you can see the Clara as a connected device, you can edit the configuration file to enable sideload mode. Database edits are no longer necessary.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by gbm

This is what I did when received my Clara HD before side load mode was available.

Hacking the Kobo Clara HD – 2: Bypassing registration/sign in

You just have to get acsess from you PC to set side load mode, do not have to do the registration bypass.

bernie

DO NOT EVER DO THIS! If it works, at some point, it could fail and you'll lose everything. Fake registering failed twice before and you had to start over.

[omentic]

Since this thread comes up easily in Google results, I'll add some more detailed information to Aleron's response. As of at least 2022, Kobo has support for a sideloaded mode (https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/20...deloaded-mode/).

This mode can be enabled by connecting the Kobo to a computer or other device, opening it in a file manager, and editing the file at ".kobo/Kobo eReader.conf" (this should already exist) to set SideloadedMode=true under the [ApplicationPreferences] heading. After connecting to a WiFi network the account login step should be skipped automatically.

[JupitersIcyMoons]

I just did this on the Clara BW and can confirm that if you plug the Kobo in at the screen that says “let’s get started” you get the PC link option that will allow you to access and edit the config file.

One further note: if you set up Sideloaded Mode on the Clara BW (I assume this is true for other Kobo models as well) you lose the options for Dropbox and Libby in the settings.

[linoid]

Just to re-emphasize... Because this tripped me up:
A restart is required after editing the 'Kobo eReader.conf' file.

Didn't figure it out until I stubled upon another thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=362894

[Dal Bhat]

Originally Posted by linoid

Just to re-emphasize... Because this tripped me up:
A restart is required after editing the 'Kobo eReader.conf' file.

Didn't figure it out until I stubled upon another thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=362894

I want to reconfirm something:

On a new device out of the box, after editing the .conf file to sideload mode, and doing a proper eject and then restart, the device starts at the books screen and no account creation ever occurs.

Is that right?

[DNSB]

Correct.

[JSWolf]

This is the best way to not have a login. Doing a hack of the database to prevent having to login is a really bad idea as you don't know when a new firmware will blow away your database. It's already happened twice.

[Dal Bhat]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This is the best way to not have a login. Doing a hack of the database to prevent having to login is a really bad idea as you don't know when a new firmware will blow away your database. It's already happened twice.

Without an account and login, and for sideloading borrowed books only, would wifi ever need to be turned on?

[Aleron Ives]

No, but then you'll also need to sideload some dictionaries if you want the dictionary functionality to work.

[Dal Bhat]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

No, but then you'll also need to sideload some dictionaries if you want the dictionary functionality to work.

Great that you reminded me of this. Some Qs:

Does Clara out of the box come with one?
Does highlighting a word open the dictionary like Kindle?
How and from where do I get French-, German-, and Italian-to English dictionaries that will also open upon highlighting?

[DNSB]

Out of the box, there are no installed dictionaries. During setup, I think the dictionary for the selected language is downloaded.

Yes, highlighting the word opens the dictionary. Once the dictionary is open, you can use a dropdown menu to select a different dictionary.

You download them from Kobo. I think you can still do this in sideloaded mode. See if under the More => Settings Menu, if there is a Languages and dictionaries item.

You can also convert StarDict dictionaries to install on your Kobo (that is where the English-English custom dictionary I use came from).