Xteink’s compact e-readers now offer free book access via Libby.

One of the main drawbacks of Xteink’s compact e-readers has been the limited access to ebooks. Unlike Kindle or Kobo devices, which offer a vast selection of titles through their online stores, Xteink users have had to hunt down DRM-free ebooks independently. However, this is set to change with the introduction of CrossPoint Reader, a free alternative firmware for the X3, X4, and X4 Pro, which will soon support third-party plug-ins to enhance the e-readers’ functionality. One of the first community-developed plug-ins will enable access to DRM-protected ebooks borrowed via OverDrive’s Libby app or purchased from stores like Kobo.

Currently in beta, the new features are available for anyone interested in trying them out. I’ve been testing a custom firmware on the X4 Pro, and while transferring ebooks from Libby isn’t as seamless as using its mobile app or as straightforward as Kobo’s built-in OverDrive support, it’s surprisingly manageable. If you’re already familiar with wirelessly transferring files to your e-reader, loading ebooks from Libby won’t be much of a challenge.

The first step is to ditch the frustrating stock firmware on Xteink’s devices and install the free CrossPoint Reader alternative. The easiest way to do this is by connecting your e-reader to your computer with a USB-C cable, powering it on, and flashing the new firmware directly through a browser on the CrossPoint Reader website, where you can select your specific device and firmware version.

Next, you’ll need to download and install the new Plugin Store from CrossPoint Reader. This process is as simple as unzipping a few files onto your e-reader’s microSD card, which will create a new Plugins section on the home screen. While it currently features a few tools, the key one to install is the “Protected Content” plug-in. This plug-in operates through CrossPoint Reader’s built-in web server, making it easier to use than you might think, and it allows Xteink’s devices to access ebooks protected by Adobe Digital Editions DRM.

To get everything up and running, you’ll need a free ByteBooks account (or you can convert an old Adobe Digital Editions account) to log in and authorize your e-reader for DRM-protected ebooks. You’ll also need access to Libby on another device, which requires a library card for sign-in. Due to the low-power ESP-32 processors in Xteink’s devices, you won’t be able to search or download ebooks directly from Libby on the e-readers.

Once you borrow a book, the Libby app will allow you to download it as a protected EPUB file. Initially, you’ll download a small ACSM file that an authorized reading app uses to access the DRM-protected ebook. The “Protected Content” plug-in processes the ACSM file moved to the microSD card, downloads the book, and transfers the EPUB file to your e-reader for reading during the loan period.

The process is similar for ebooks purchased from stores like Kobo that use the EPUB format with ADE. By logging into Kobo’s website (not the desktop app), you can download an ACSM file for a purchased book, copy it to your Xteink device, and then use the plug-in to access the ebook.

For a more streamlined experience with Libby, you can download and install an app called Common Stacks (available for Android, Windows, and macOS, with iOS support coming soon). This app provides access to multiple free ebook libraries, including those you host yourself. It fully integrates with Libby and can download and send ebook files directly to Xteink’s e-readers with just a few clicks. While Common Stacks also utilizes CrossPoint Reader’s web server functionality, transferring borrowed books to the X4 Pro was as easy as borrowing library books on my Kobo.

While Libby and Common Stacks are excellent ways to get free ebooks onto Xteink’s devices, keep in mind that availability will vary by library, and you may have to wait for popular titles depending on the number of digital copies available. Nevertheless, with access to DRM-protected ebooks—whether borrowed or purchased—Xteink’s compact e-readers are now an even more appealing alternative to Kindles and Kobos.