ReaderPortImport your Kobo library
A safe copy of the Kobo database (the original is never modified), validation, and a review of the changes before you confirm.
Your Kobo library, always with you.
ReaderPort copies your Kobo e-reader’s library to your iPhone: books, progress, highlights, notes and bookmarks. Browse it without the Kobo connected — and keep your annotations even if you delete them on the e-reader.
iPhone app in preparation · not on the App Store yet
What ReaderPort is
ReaderPort is an independent iPhone app. Connect your Kobo with a USB-C cable, choose it in the Files app, and ReaderPort copies its database, checks that the copy is complete and shows you what changed before saving anything. Your library stays on your iPhone, in a local database.
ReaderPort never writes anything to the Kobo. It isn’t made by or affiliated with Rakuten Kobo.
Features
Everything marked as available is implemented in the app. Things we’re still looking into are labeled as such.
Browse without the e-reader
Your books, reading progress and wishlist stay on your iPhone even when the Kobo isn’t connected.
Search your highlights
Accent-insensitive search across highlight text, notes, titles and authors, with matches marked and results in pages.
Favorites
Star the highlights you want close at hand. They’re kept across syncs.
Share a passage
Send a highlight with the iOS share sheet (Messages, Mail, Notes…): the text, the book and the author. Nothing else.
Notes and bookmarks
See your Kobo notes and bookmarks on each book’s page, write your own notes or edit a local version of a Kobo note (they stay on your iPhone; the original on your Kobo doesn’t change).
Sync history
Every sync is logged with its result. If something fails halfway, nothing is saved halfway.
Nothing gets lost
Delete a highlight on the Kobo and ReaderPort keeps it under “No longer on your Kobo”. Books that disappear aren’t deleted either.
Backup
Save your library to a file (Files, iCloud Drive…) and restore it or merge it with your current one, with a preview and no duplicates.
Other e-readers
We’re researching how to import Kindle clippings and, later, other e-readers. Today ReaderPort only works with Kobo.
Privacy, no fine print
No account, no ads, no analytics and no tracking. This is exactly what the app does with your data:
- What it reads from the Kobo. When you choose your Kobo, ReaderPort copies its database (books, progress, highlights, notes, bookmarks and wishlist), reads the model and firmware version (the serial number is discarded) and copies the covers stored on the Kobo.
- What it stores on your iPhone. Your library, the sync history, your favorites and ReaderPort notes, the last imported copy, the covers and a few settings. Protected with iOS data protection.
- Annotations deleted on the Kobo. They’re kept on your iPhone, marked “no longer on your Kobo”.
- iOS backup. The library is included in your iCloud or computer backup (if you have backups on). The imported Kobo copy and the covers are excluded because they can be recreated.
- ReaderPort backups. Only if you create them: a file you save wherever you choose. It isn’t sent to the developer.
- Your titles, notes and highlights aren’t sent to the developer. Never automatically.
- Feedback form (Web3Forms). Only if you send it: category, subject, message, your email if you enter it and, if you tick the box, the app version, iOS version and iPhone model.
- Online covers (Open Library). Off by default. If you turn it on, the book’s ISBN — or, without one, its title and author — is sent.
- Tips (App Store). Optional. Apple processes them; ReaderPort doesn’t receive your payment details.
- Deleting your data. Imported copies in Sync › Tools; covers in More › Covers; each ReaderPort note from its editor; everything else by deleting the app.
Help and FAQ
The same help is in the app, under More › Help.
How do I connect the Kobo to my iPhone?
Use a USB-C cable that carries data (not just charging). When you connect it, tap “Connect” on the Kobo. In ReaderPort, go to Sync, tap “Choose Kobo” and, under Locations, choose the Kobo (KOBOeReader). Choose the root folder so the app can find the database and the covers.
Can ReaderPort damage my Kobo?
ReaderPort doesn’t write to the Kobo: it copies the database, checks that the copy is complete and works only with that copy.
What happens if I delete a highlight on the Kobo?
On the next sync, ReaderPort keeps it and shows it on the book’s page under “No longer on your Kobo”. If it was a favorite, it stays in Favorites.
Do the notes I write in ReaderPort show up on the Kobo?
No. ReaderPort notes are stored only on your iPhone and are clearly separated from the notes imported from the Kobo. Syncing never changes them.
Does it work with Kindle or other e-readers?
Not yet. Today ReaderPort only works with Kobo. We’re researching how to import Kindle clippings without promising anything we haven’t tested.
Do I need the internet or an account?
No. Your library works offline and without an account. The app only connects if you send feedback, turn on online covers, or leave a tip.
Support ReaderPort
ReaderPort is made by one person. Once the app is published, you’ll be able to leave an optional tip from More › Support ReaderPort, using Apple’s in-app purchases. Tips don’t unlock anything: the app is the same with or without them.
What’s New
Version 1.0 · in preparation
- New name and icon: ReaderPort.
- English and Spanish interface.
- Highlights in pages, favorites and sharing a highlight, also on each book’s page.
- Library backup: create, restore and merge.
- Note editing: local versions of Kobo notes, without changing the e-reader.
- ReaderPort notes about a book or a highlight.
- More tab with help, privacy, what’s new and a single feedback form.
- Covers from the Kobo itself and optional Open Library search.
- Optional tips.
Contact
From the app: More › Send Feedback. Use it for suggestions, comments or to report a problem. Leave your email if you’d like a reply.
Or by email: wcaraza199@gmail.com. ReaderPort is developed by Walter Caraza (dddmovil) in Spain.