If you own a Kobo e-reader and love saving articles from the web to read later, you may have noticed an important change in your device’s latest free software update. Rakuten Kobo has quietly retired its long-running partnership with Pocket and has now introduced Instapaper as the new default “read-it-later” service. While this marks the end of an era for Pocket on Kobo devices, it also signals the beginning of a new chapter—one that may actually enhance the overall reading experience for many users.
For years, Pocket was one of Kobo’s most cherished integrations. It gave readers the ability to save essays, news stories, and blog posts from their browser or phone and have them appear seamlessly on their Kobo device. Articles synced automatically, formatting was stripped down for clean reading, and the feature quickly became essential for anyone who wanted to turn their Kobo into more than just an e-book reader. Now, that convenience continues, but under Instapaper’s name.
Why Did Kobo Drop Pocket?
At first glance, the decision to swap Pocket for Instapaper may look like nothing more than a corporate reshuffling, and in many ways, it is. Pocket is owned by Mozilla, while Instapaper has been under the ownership of Rakuten—Kobo’s parent company—since 2016. By moving away from an outside partner, Kobo gains the benefit of keeping everything within its own ecosystem.
This consolidation offers practical advantages. It allows Kobo to exercise more direct control over how Instapaper is integrated into its software, how quickly bugs are fixed, and how new features are introduced. Essentially, Kobo can now streamline development under one umbrella, ensuring a smoother and more future-proof user experience. While the corporate relationship was certainly the catalyst for this change, it’s also about efficiency, reliability, and long-term alignment with Kobo’s broader strategy.
What Instapaper Brings to Kobo
For the everyday Kobo reader, the transition from Pocket to Instapaper will feel almost seamless. Both services allow users to save articles from the web and read them later in a clean, ad-free format. However, there are some subtle but meaningful differences in design and features that make Instapaper stand out.
Instapaper has long been regarded as a “reader’s tool.” Its interface is deliberately minimalist, keeping the focus entirely on text. Unlike Pocket, which leaned toward visual previews and content recommendations, Instapaper emphasizes customization. Readers can fine-tune fonts, margins, line spacing, and overall formatting, making it possible to create a reading environment that feels as personal as a physical book.
One of Instapaper’s most exciting advantages is its built-in text-to-speech support, available to Premium subscribers. This feature allows Kobo users to have their saved articles read aloud directly on their e-reader, making it useful for commuting, multitasking, or simply resting tired eyes. For Kobo, a brand that prides itself on offering a distraction-free, immersive reading experience, Instapaper’s philosophy and features align perfectly.
What You’ll Miss from Pocket
Of course, Pocket had strengths of its own, and some Kobo users may feel the loss. Pocket was everywhere. It was integrated into a vast array of apps, browsers, and platforms, making it incredibly convenient to save content from just about anywhere. Its recommendation engine was also a key part of its identity, surfacing new stories and articles based on your interests.
Instapaper, by comparison, is less about discovery and more about curation. It doesn’t push as much content to you—instead, it focuses on the content you choose to save. This makes it ideal for readers who prefer control over their own reading list, but users who relied on Pocket’s discovery features may find it a step back in that regard.
Transitioning from Pocket to Instapaper
Kobo has made the transition process relatively straightforward, though it does require a few manual steps. First, users need to ensure their Kobo is updated to the latest software version. Then, within the device’s settings, Pocket accounts can be disconnected, and Instapaper accounts can be linked instead. For those who don’t yet have an Instapaper account, signing up is free and can be done via the official website or mobile app.
Once linked, Instapaper works much the same way as Pocket did. You can save articles from your desktop browser by installing the Instapaper extension or by using the “Share to Instapaper” feature on your smartphone. These articles will then sync to your Kobo for offline reading. However, one important note is that saved Pocket articles will not automatically transfer over. If you want to keep your old reading list, you’ll need to use a third-party migration service like import2instapaper.com.
What This Change Means for Kobo’s Future
Kobo’s decision to replace Pocket with Instapaper is less about rejecting one service and more about consolidating its ecosystem under Rakuten’s umbrella. In practice, the change is minimally disruptive and, for many users, even beneficial. The addition of text-to-speech and Instapaper’s stronger focus on text customization fit naturally into Kobo’s mission of creating a thoughtful, immersive reading environment.
Yes, long-time Pocket fans may need to adjust, and some may miss its discovery features. But ultimately, this transition ensures that Kobo’s “read-it-later” functionality remains a core, evolving part of the platform, supported by a service that shares Kobo’s ownership and vision. It’s a strategic shift designed to strengthen the experience for readers—not weaken it.
FAQs About Kobo’s Switch to Instapaper
Why did Kobo replace Pocket with Instapaper?
Kobo’s parent company, Rakuten, owns Instapaper. This makes it easier for Kobo to manage integration, provide long-term support, and roll out new features without relying on a third party like Mozilla.
Will my Pocket articles automatically transfer to Instapaper?
No. Pocket content does not migrate automatically. You’ll need to manually move articles using a service like import2instapaper.com.
Is Instapaper free on Kobo?
Yes. A free Instapaper account works with Kobo. However, Premium features—like text-to-speech and unlimited notes—require a subscription.
How different is Instapaper from Pocket?
The core functionality is the same: saving articles to read later. Instapaper focuses more on customization and pure reading, while Pocket emphasized discovery and content recommendations.
Can I still use Pocket on other devices?
Yes. Pocket is still available as a standalone app and browser extension—you just can’t sync it with Kobo anymore.
What’s the biggest benefit of Instapaper for Kobo users?
The combination of customizable reading settings and the addition of text-to-speech makes Instapaper a better long-term fit for Kobo’s e-readers.
Kobo’s switch from Pocket to Instapaper might initially feel like losing a trusted friend, but it’s really about strengthening the ecosystem for the future. Instapaper’s clean reading focus, customization options, and audiobook-like features make it an excellent fit for Kobo’s mission of delivering distraction-free, reader-first experiences.
