The simple Kobo hack users swear by — and why I finally tried it

[ad_1] <img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Kobo Libra Colour Screensaver" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="A Kobo Libra Colour displays a graphic custom screensaver." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-scaled.jpg"/> Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

I’ve reviewed sufficient e-readers to know that many of the hacks floating round are both painfully apparent or so area of interest they solely matter in the event you’re already deep within the weeds. On occasion, although, a tip pops up that’s unreasonably helpful. Setting a customized screensaver is strictly the form of trick my deeply introverted character likes to see.

Do you employ customized screensavers in your e-reader? 0 votes

Sure, at all times!

NaN%

No, by no means.

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I have not however I want to.

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A small annoyance with huge visibility

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Kobo Libra Colour Settings" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="A user accesses the settings menu of their Kobo Libra Colour." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Settings-scaled.jpg"/> Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

If you happen to’ve ever closed your Kobo in public and regretted that the title of your e-book is placed on full show, you already perceive the enchantment. By default, Kobo e-readers present the duvet of probably the most not too long ago opened e-book because the sleep display. It’s tremendous more often than not, however it may get awkward quick if that e-book isn’t one thing you essentially need to broadcast.

If you happen to've ever regretted your e-book title being on full show, you will perceive the enchantment.

Fortuitously, you'll be able to exchange the auto-feature with a customized display, and doing so doesn’t require jailbreaking or third-party software program. You merely add a picture to a particular folder, toggle some settings, and get your self slightly extra privateness.

How one can set a customized screensaver in your Kobo

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Kobo Libra Colour Connect" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="A Kobo Libra Colour user connects the device to a Mac via USB-C." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Connect-scaled.jpg"/> Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Plug your Kobo right into a PC or Mac utilizing a USB-C cable and faucet Join on the system. In your pc, open the Kobo’s storage, probably labeled KOBOeReader, and find the .kobo folder. Inside, create a brand new folder and title it screensaver in all lowercase letters. Drop a number of photographs into the screensaver folder.

Use a high-resolution portrait picture and let Kobo deal with scaling. Add a number of photographs to create a rotating gallery.

Eject the system out of your pc, then unplug it. In your Kobo, go to Settings > Power saving and privateness and toggle on Present e-book covers full display.

Notably, I used a Mac to put in my screensavers and .Kobo was a hidden folder. I used Command + Shift + . (interval) to make it seen. Some customers have additionally reported needing to mess around with their e-reader’s settings, and in some instances, toggling Present e-book covers full display off as an alternative of on reportedly works.

Why it’s definitely worth the (minimal) effort

<img class="e_jg" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="Kobo Libra Colour Screensaver 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-1920w-1080h.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="A Kobo Libra Colour displays a custom screensaver." src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kobo-Libra-Colour-Screensaver-2-scaled.jpg"/> Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

I’m normally obsessive about screensavers. My telephone and pill are fastidiously personalised right down to lock display widgets and background photographs. However my e-reader is one system I’ve left fully untouched. And but, the static picture is what individuals see most frequently, whether or not the reader is sitting on a espresso desk or resting on an airplane tray.

A customized screensaver provides privateness and personalizationt to your Kobo e-reader.

I’m not out right here studying something wildly outlandish, however years of being roasted by a university roommate for my Eragon section clearly left a mark. Some content material consumption habits by no means absolutely get well. I wouldn’t name this a must-do hack for each Kobo proprietor, however I get why it’s a well-liked Reddit dialogue level, and now that I’ve tried it, I don’t see myself going again.

Not everyone seems to be utilizing the trick purely for discretion, both. Some Redditors deal with customized screensavers as a chance to mess with onlookers, importing comically offensive or wildly deceptive faux e-book covers. The hack is identical, simply deployed in pursuit of slightly extra chaos.

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