Clara BW How to start sideload mode without a Kobo account? - Page 2

Aleron Ives · 10-24-2024, 07:25 PM

That method is obsolete now.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 · 10-25-2024, 01:40 PM

Quote:

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 · 06-21-2025, 08:05 PM

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 · 08-29-2025, 04:06 PM

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 · 06-03-2026, 04:50 AM

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 · 08-22-2026, 03:13 PM

Quote:

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 · 08-22-2026, 03:25 PM

Correct.

JSWolf · 08-23-2026, 03:47 PM

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 · 08-25-2026, 04:47 PM

Quote:

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 · 08-25-2026, 04:54 PM

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

Dal Bhat · 08-25-2026, 05:18 PM

Quote:

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 · 08-26-2026, 12:59 AM

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).

Dal Bhat · 08-26-2026, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

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).

Can I get them from Kobo without an account?

Searched and read about StarDict. Seems a bit confusing. Can you elaborate about finding and getting them into a Kobo reader, please?

DNSB · 08-26-2026, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal Bhat

Can I get them from Kobo without an account?

I've never tried so just select a dictionary and see if it installs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal Bhat

Searched and read about StarDict. Seems a bit confusing. Can you elaborate about finding and getting them into a Kobo reader, please?

Basically, you can use several tools to convert a StarDict dictionary for use with a Kobo reader. My tool of choice is PyGlossary. For the most part, I've ended up converting dictionaries for others since I installed PyGlossary for the custom English dicitionary.

You can also check the List of Official Kobo Dictionaries (v3) for links and the Index of Custom Dictionaries for Kobo eReader threads for more information on custom dictionaries.

Dal Bhat · 08-26-2026, 06:34 PM

Thank you. I had just found the "List of Official ..." thread before returning to this one. I downloaded the ones I wanted. I also saw the post that included the 2019 version of the OED, with etymologies, and got that one.

BTW, I tried it at KOBO. Picked a dictionary, clicked to download, and could not proceed without signing in to an account. So no go there.

Anyway, I think/hope that I have what I'll use.

Kobo Clara is being delivered Saturday. (Much obliged for all the help I've been given, trying to get this stuff reasoned out so I can start out somewhat informed.)

Another Q: do I put all of the dictionary zip files into the .kobo/dict folder? Or only the English one, with the others in the .kobo/custom-dict folder?

08-26-2026, 12:59 AM	#27
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 54,093 Karma: 182150337 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	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). Attached Thumbnails Last edited by DNSB; 08-26-2026 at 01:05 AM. Reason: Added images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sideload mode on kobo touch	tei	Kobo Reader	15	10-25-2024 12:45 AM
Questions about Sideload mode	ZodWallop	Kobo Reader	14	06-30-2023 02:50 PM
Start KOReader automatically with Kobo Start Menu	checcousero	KOReader	2	03-07-2017 11:42 AM
Kindle can't start after entering DIAG mode	Mr.Samuel	Kindle Developer's Corner	15	05-21-2016 06:17 AM
sshd will not start in usbnetwork mode	alethiophile	Kindle Developer's Corner	9	01-25-2014 10:36 AM

10-24-2024, 07:25 PM	#16
Aleron Ives Wizard Posts: 1,919 Karma: 17565280 Join Date: Sep 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	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.

06-21-2025, 08:05 PM	#18
omentic Super Cool Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2024 Device: Libra Colour	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.

08-29-2025, 04:06 PM	#19
JupitersIcyMoons Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2025 Device: Kobo Libra Colour, Pocketbook Era, Kobo Clara BW, Kindle PW5	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.

06-03-2026, 04:50 AM	#20
linoid Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2026 Device: Kobo Clara 2e	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

08-22-2026, 03:25 PM	#22
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 54,093 Karma: 182150337 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Correct.

08-23-2026, 03:47 PM	#23
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 84,659 Karma: 153788055 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	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.

08-25-2026, 04:54 PM	#25
Aleron Ives Wizard Posts: 1,919 Karma: 17565280 Join Date: Sep 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	No, but then you'll also need to sideload some dictionaries if you want the dictionary functionality to work.

08-26-2026, 06:34 PM	#30
Dal Bhat Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 1655764 Join Date: Apr 2024 Device: Kindle 11th Gen	Thank you. I had just found the "List of Official ..." thread before returning to this one. I downloaded the ones I wanted. I also saw the post that included the 2019 version of the OED, with etymologies, and got that one. BTW, I tried it at KOBO. Picked a dictionary, clicked to download, and could not proceed without signing in to an account. So no go there. Anyway, I think/hope that I have what I'll use. Kobo Clara is being delivered Saturday. (Much obliged for all the help I've been given, trying to get this stuff reasoned out so I can start out somewhat informed.) Another Q: do I put all of the dictionary zip files into the .kobo/dict folder? Or only the English one, with the others in the .kobo/custom-dict folder?