Missing books or notes after a Kobo update? Fix it with the latest Kobo OS 6.0.2. Your data is not lost. Do not roll back the software.
Learn what happened
After updating to beta software version 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403, some customers reported missing content on their eReader:
- Sideloaded content
- Highlights and notes
- My Words entries
- Reading stats
Status Update
Our engineering team has identified the bug and released Kobo OS 6.0.276679, an optional beta update that recovers reading stats, My Words and sideloaded books. Highlights and notes that were lost on sideloaded books are not recovered yet, and Kobo is working on a fix for a future update.
Do not roll back or reinstall an older version of your eReader's software, do not factory reset it, and do not sign out of your Kobo account, to try to fix this. All three permanently delete the missing content, and it cannot be restored afterwards. Rolling back also prevents future updates from restoring it.
Affected Kobo eReaders
This issue can affect these Kobo eReaders when they run software version 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403:
- Kobo Libra Colour
- Kobo Clara BW
- Kobo Clara Colour
To check your software version, go to Settings > Device Info. If your eReader shows an earlier version, this issue does not apply to you. Software version 6.0.276679 includes the fix.
What to do now
- Check your Kobo eReader's software version under Settings > Device Info, and confirm it is 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403. If not, this issue does not apply to you.
- Install the latest Kobo OS 6.0.2 (software version 6.0.276679) when the prompt appears on your eReader. The update is still an optional beta release, and Kobo is rolling it out in phases.
- Do not roll back or reinstall an older software version, do not factory reset your eReader, and do not sign out of your Kobo account. All three permanently delete the missing content.
- If content is still missing, or you face other issues after updating, contact Kobo support.
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OverDrive is now Libby. While the name and logo have changed, you'll continue to enjoy the same library borrowing experience you've always used.
- After updating to the beta software, you'll need to re-link your library card. To do this on your eReader, go to Discover > Libby or More > Settings > Libby, then follow the on-screen instructions to sign in and reconnect your library account.
- If you have borrowed library books that are not appearing after the update, re-linking your library card should refresh your Libby content and restore access to your loans.
Fixes in Kobo OS 6.0.2
Kobo OS 6.0.2 (software version 6.0.276679) for Kobo eReaders includes these fixes:
- Your reading stats and My Words list are back with your saved words intact.
- “Time remaining” calculations are accurate again.
- Your sideloaded books have been recovered, but if you had annotations/highlights lost, we are working on a fix to bring them back in a future update.
- Books using on-device Adobe DRM now open properly.
- Some reported syncing issues for Libby and Kobo Plus books have been resolved.
- Devices with large libraries no longer freeze during updates.
Highlights and notes on sideloaded books not yet recovered
Kobo OS 6.0.2 recovers sideloaded books but does not bring back the highlights and notes that were lost on them. Kobo is working on a fix to bring them back in a future update.
While this Kobo OS 6.0.2 update comes with fixes and improves performance, the ground rules remain the same: it is still an optional Beta release!
Frequently Asked Questions
What went missing from my eReader after the beta update?
Some customers reported missing reading stats, My Words entries, sideloaded books, and highlights and notes. Kobo OS 6.0.2 recovers reading stats, My Words entries and sideloaded books. Lost highlights and notes on sideloaded books are not recovered yet.
How do I get the latest Kobo OS 6.0.2?
A prompt appears on the Kobo eReader to update to the latest software version. You can also check for the update yourself: go to More > Settings > Device Information > Check for updates. If an update is available, the eReader offers the option to update. Kobo OS 6.0.2 is still an optional beta release, and Kobo is rolling it out in phases, so it reaches all eligible devices over the coming days.
When will the highlights and notes on my sideloaded books come back?
Kobo is working on a fix to bring lost highlights and notes on sideloaded books back to the Kobo eReader in a future update. Kobo has not announced a date yet.
What should I do if content is still missing after I update?
Contact Kobo support. Do not revert to a previous software version, factory reset your eReader, or sign out of your Kobo account to try to fix it.
Should I roll back to an older software version?
No. Rolling back or reinstalling an older version of the Kobo eReader's software to try to fix this permanently deletes the missing content, and it cannot be restored afterwards. It also prevents future updates from restoring it.
Should I factory reset my eReader?
No. A factory reset permanently deletes the missing content too, the same as rolling back or reinstalling an older software version. The recovery of reading stats and My Words entries applies to an eReader that has not been reset or signed out. Install the latest Kobo OS 6.0.2 instead.
Should I sign out of my Kobo account?
No. Signing out (and back in) deletes anything that is only stored on your eReader and does not sync from your Kobo account. Install the latest Kobo OS 6.0.2 instead.
Is any of my data only stored on my eReader, and not in my Kobo account?
Yes. Some data lives only on your eReader and does not sync back from your Kobo account. Signing out or resetting your eReader can lead to permanent loss of this data, and not just as part of this issue. This data includes:
- Reading and device settings
- Saved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections
- Sideloaded books, and their annotations, markups and progress
- My Words
- Recent searches
- Browser bookmarks and homepage
- Reading stats
- Your Adobe authorization
- Connections to Google Drive, Dropbox, Instapaper and Libby/OverDrive
- Notebooks, if notebook sync is turned off
- Sideloaded fonts
Do I need to add my sideloaded books again?
No, you should not need to, as long as you have not rolled back, reinstalled an older software version, or factory reset your eReader. Kobo OS 6.0.2 recovers sideloaded books, but not yet the highlights and notes lost on them. If any books are still missing after the update, contact Kobo support.
How do I know if my eReader is affected?
Go to Settings > Device Info. The issue affects the Kobo Libra Colour, Kobo Clara BW and Kobo Clara Colour on software version 5.18.270971 or 6.0.274403. Other versions are not affected.