PocketBook Era · Guides
Set up a new PocketBook Era
Take a new Era from the box to a working reader, including the PocketBook account, the optional Adobe ID for DRM library books, and the side buttons.
Setting up an Era is quick. Two optional accounts are worth understanding: a PocketBook account unlocks the wireless delivery and cloud features, and an Adobe ID lets the device open DRM-protected library books directly. Neither is needed just to read files you copy on by cable. The side buttons, the SMARTlight and — since there is no card slot — your chosen storage size are the things to get familiar with early.
-
Charge the Era before setup
A new device often ships part-charged, and setup includes a firmware update. Plug it in with the supplied USB-C cable and give it 30 minutes or more before you start.
-
Turn it on and choose your language and keyboard
Press the power button on the top edge. PocketBook asks for the interface language and keyboard layout first; this does not limit what languages your books can be in.
-
Connect to Wi-Fi and install any firmware update
Choose your network and enter the password. If an update is offered, install it and let the device restart. PocketBook updates add format support and fixes, so it is worth doing now.
-
Decide about a PocketBook account
A PocketBook account is used for the PocketBook Cloud (syncing books and reading position across devices and apps), the book store, and the Send-to-PocketBook email service. It is not required to read files you copy on yourself. You can skip it during setup and add it later under Settings, then Accounts and Synchronization.
-
Optional: authorise an Adobe ID for library books
The Era can open EPUB and PDF books protected with Adobe DRM — the kind most public libraries lend — without a computer. To use that, go to Settings, then Accounts and Synchronization, then "Adobe DRM", and sign in with a free Adobe ID. Skip this if you only read your own unprotected files.
-
Learn the side buttons and the SMARTlight
The two buttons on the raised right-hand grip turn pages; a short press turns forward or back, and you can change what a long press does later under Personalize. Swipe down from the top for the SMARTlight controls — brightness and a separate warm-tone slider — plus a shortcut into Settings.
-
Note your storage size
The Era comes in a 16 GB and a 64 GB version and has no microSD slot, so the size you bought is the size you have. 16 GB still holds thousands of ebooks; the 64 GB version matters mainly if you keep a large audiobook collection on the device.
-
Add your books
Connect the Era to a computer by USB and copy book files into any folder on the drive; the device indexes them on disconnect. Or use one of the wireless methods in the next guide.