Master KOReader: The Ultimate Guide to Custom E-Reader Screensavers

KOReader is a powerful, free, and open-source e-book reader application that brings advanced features to various e-ink devices. One of its many capabilities is the ability to display custom screensavers when your device is in sleep mode. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of setting up custom screensavers on KOReader, regardless of which e-reader you're using.

Why Use KOReader for Custom Screensavers?

• Device Independence: Works across multiple e-reader brands including Kindle, Kobo, PocketBook, and more.
• Greater Flexibility: Offers more customization options than many stock e-reader firmware.
• No Ads: Replace unwanted advertisements with your own images on ad-supported devices.
• Enhanced Features: KOReader includes many other benefits beyond just custom screensavers.

Prerequisites

Before you begin setting up custom screensavers in KOReader, ensure you have:

• KOReader Installed: This guide assumes you already have KOReader installed on your device. If you haven't installed it yet, visit the KOReader GitHub page for installation instructions specific to your device. For comprehensive documentation, check out the official KOReader user guide.
• Custom Images: Prepare images you'd like to use as screensavers. Our e-reader image resizer tool can help you optimize images for your specific device model.
• USB Cable: To transfer images to your e-reader.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up KOReader Screensavers

Follow these detailed steps to configure custom screensavers on your KOReader installation:

1. Prepare Your Images:
   • Resize your images to match your e-reader's screen resolution. You can use our e-reader image resizer tool for perfect sizing.
   • Convert images to grayscale for best appearance on e-ink screens.
   • Save images in PNG or JPG format.
2. Connect Your Device to Your Computer:
   • Connect your e-reader to your computer using a USB cable.
   • Make sure it's mounted/recognized as a storage device on your computer.
3. Locate the KOReader Directory:
   • The path to KOReader varies by device:
     • Kindle: /mnt/us/koreader or /mnt/base-us/koreader
     • Kobo: /mnt/onboard/.adds/koreader or /.kobo/koreader
     • PocketBook: /mnt/ext1/applications/koreader
     • Remarkable: /home/root/.koreader
     • Android: Typically in internal storage under koreader folder
   • Note: On some devices, these folders may be hidden. Enable "Show hidden files" in your file explorer.
4. Create the Screensaver Directory:
   • Inside the KOReader directory, navigate to data folder.
   • If it doesn't exist yet, create a new folder named screensaver (all lowercase).
5. Transfer Your Images:
   • Copy your prepared images into the screensaver folder you just created.
   • You can add multiple images - KOReader will rotate through them randomly or in sequence (configurable in settings).
6. Safely Eject Your Device:
   • Safely eject/unmount your e-reader from your computer before disconnecting.
7. Configure KOReader Settings:
   • Launch KOReader on your device.
   • Tap the bottom menu to bring up the toolbar, then tap on the gear icon (⚙️) for Settings.
   • Navigate to Device -> Screen -> Screensaver.
   • Enable the screensaver feature and configure your preferences:
     • Screensaver mode: Choose "image" to use your custom images.
     • Screensaver image dir: Verify it points to your screensaver folder.
     • Screensaver image random order: Toggle to enable random rotation or keep in sequence.
     • Screensaver image scaling: Options for how images fit the screen.
8. Test Your Screensaver:
   • Put your device to sleep (usually by pressing the power button briefly).
   • Your custom screensaver should now appear!

Advanced Configuration Options

KOReader offers several advanced options for customizing your screensaver experience:

• Book Cover as Screensaver: KOReader can display the cover of your current book as the screensaver. Enable this in Device -> Screen -> Screensaver -> Use book cover as screensaver.
• Information Overlay: Display information like battery level, time, or reading progress on top of your screensaver by enabling Info overlay on screensaver.
• Screensaver Timeout: Customize how long your device waits before showing the screensaver in Device -> Screen -> Screensaver timeout.
• Fullscreen Clock: KOReader can display a fullscreen clock as a screensaver alternative. Enable it in the screensaver settings.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Screensaver Not Showing:
  • Verify that images are in the correct directory.
  • Check that the images are in a supported format (PNG or JPG).
  • Ensure the screensaver feature is enabled in KOReader settings.
  • Restart KOReader by fully closing and reopening it.
• Images Look Distorted:
  • Adjust the "Screensaver image scaling" option in settings.
  • Resize your images to match your device's exact screen resolution.
  • Optimize grayscale contrast for e-ink display.
• Device Still Shows Default Screensaver:
  • Some devices may revert to the default screensaver after deep sleep. Adjust your device's power settings to prevent deep sleep.
  • Ensure you're seeing the KOReader screensaver, not the device's native one. KOReader screensavers only appear when the device sleeps while KOReader is running.
• Can't Find KOReader Directory:
  • Enable hidden files view in your file explorer.
  • If using a Kindle with KUAL, check the "extensions" folder instead.
  • On some devices, you may need to search for "koreader" to locate the installation.

Tips for the Best KOReader Screensaver Experience

• Image Optimization: Black and white images with high contrast work best on e-ink displays.
• Battery Conservation: Consider using simpler images with more black space to conserve battery, as white pixels consume more power on e-ink screens.
• Update Regularly: Keep KOReader updated to the latest version for improved screensaver functionality and bug fixes.
• Use Our Tool: For the best results, use our e-reader image resizer tool to optimize your images specifically for your device model.
• Mix Content Types: Consider using a variety of images, quotes, artwork, and informational screens for an engaging screensaver rotation.

Why Choose KOReader for Your E-Reader?

Beyond custom screensavers, KOReader offers numerous advantages:

• Enhanced PDF Support: Better PDF reflow, cropping, and navigation.
• Multiple Format Support: Read EPUB, MOBI, FB2, DOC, and many other formats.
• Dictionary Lookup: Built-in multiple language dictionaries.
• Reading Statistics: Track your reading habits.
• Highly Customizable: Adjust practically every aspect of your reading experience.
• Community Support: Active development and user community.

Setting up custom screensavers on KOReader is just one of many ways to personalize your e-reading experience. With these instructions, you can transform your device's idle screen into something personally meaningful, beautiful, or inspirational. For more advanced features and customization options, be sure to check out the complete KOReader user guide. Enjoy your newly customized e-reader!