BOOX Palma 2 · Guides
Set up a new BOOX Palma 2
Take a new Palma 2 from the box to a working pocket e-reader — Wi-Fi, the optional BOOX account, Google sign-in, the Play Store and the fingerprint reader.
The Palma 2 sets up like an Android phone with the mobile network left out, plus one extra step: enabling the Google Play Store, which BOOX ships switched off. Once that is done and you have signed in to Google, it behaves like any small Android device with an e-ink screen. Set up the fingerprint reader — on a pocket device you will unlock it constantly.
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Know what the Palma 2 is
It is shaped like a phone and runs full Android 13, but it has no SIM slot and cannot make calls. Think of it as a pocket-sized e-ink Android device. Everything in setup is the same as an Android phone minus the mobile network.
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Charge it, turn it on, and connect to Wi-Fi
Plug it in and give it time on the charger. Press the power button on the side, choose your language and time zone, then your Wi-Fi network and password. It needs Wi-Fi to update and to reach the Play Store.
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Install any firmware update
Open Settings, then "Firmware Update", and apply anything offered. BOOX updates regularly and the updates improve how Android apps render on e-ink.
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Decide about a BOOX account
A BOOX (Onyx) account is used for the BOOX cloud — syncing notes, reading position in the stock NeoReader app, and configuration backups across BOOX devices. It is optional; skip it if you will read mainly in the Kindle, Kobo or KOReader apps.
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Turn on the Google Play Store
Open the Apps screen and find "Play Store". On first launch, BOOX shows a screen to "enable Google Play"; tap through it, wait a minute or two while it registers the device with Google, restart if prompted, and sign in with your Google account.
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Set up the fingerprint reader
The fingerprint sensor is in the power button on the side. Under Settings, then "Fingerprint", add one or two fingers. It unlocks the device with a press, which is quicker than a PIN on e-ink and natural for a phone-shaped device.
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Learn the control centre and the buttons
Swipe down from the top-right for the BOOX control centre — refresh-mode buttons, front-light sliders (brightness and warm tone), and a full-screen refresh button. The Palma 2 has no dedicated page-turn buttons, but the volume rocker can be set to turn pages (covered in the one-handed guide).
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Set a comfortable default refresh mode
In the control centre, leave the global mode on "HD" (or "Regal") for reading. The faster modes are for scrolling and menus and make text look grey. Per-app settings override this.