Bookshop.org Confirms Kobo eReader Integration Is Still Planned for 2026

For readers who want an e-reader while continuing to purchase books from independent bookstores rather than Amazon, Rakuten’s Kobo devices have long been considered among the best options. However, much of that reputation stems from older purchasing methods that are no longer widely supported, where users could create Kobo accounts through participating independent bookstore websites.

Although a small number of bookstores across the United States still offer Kobo purchases through those legacy systems, most independent retailers discontinued that support several years ago. As a result, many Kobo owners have found it difficult—or even impossible—to buy e-books for their devices directly through their favourite local bookstores.

For readers who want to support neighbourhood bookshops without filling their shelves with physical copies, the situation has been frustrating. Dedicated e-readers remain attractive because of their long battery life, e-ink displays, and glare-free screens that make extended reading sessions, even outdoors, far more comfortable than reading on a smartphone or tablet.

One anticipated solution has been the planned partnership between Bookshop.org and Kobo. Bookshop.org, which competes with Amazon while directing sales toward independent bookstores, already sells digital books through its iOS and Android applications.

The Kobo integration was initially expected to arrive in 2025, but was pushed back to 2026. Earlier this year, uncertainty increased when Bookshop.org quietly updated its website, removing the reference to “2026” and replacing it with the less specific phrase “sometime in the future.”

Seeking clarification, an inquiry was made to Bookshop.org about the project’s status.

In response, Bookshop.org founder and CEO Andy Hunter confirmed via email that progress has since resumed. The company’s website has once again been updated, stating that Kobo compatibility is now expected to launch “later this year.”

“The Kobo integration is something both Kobo and Bookshop.org want to make happen,” Hunter said.

According to Hunter, the delays have been caused by both commercial negotiations and technical development work. The companies needed to ensure that the integration complied with publishers’ digital rights management (DRM) requirements while also completing the necessary engineering work.

“It took us some time to hammer out the business terms and allocate the necessary engineering resources,” Hunter explained.

Hunter added that Bookshop.org’s engineering team has spent much of the past 15 months improving the company’s mobile application, which launched during that period.

Now that much of that work has been completed, development efforts are shifting back toward Kobo integration. Even so, Hunter cautioned that the company is not yet prepared to commit to a specific release date.

“We have recently settled on business terms with Kobo, and we are confident the collaboration is going to happen, but we can’t promise a specific launch date until the engineering work is further along,” he said.

In the meantime, Kobo users still have alternatives beyond purchasing directly through Rakuten. Kobo devices support a wide selection of DRM-free e-books, while many public library collections remain available through OverDrive, allowing users to borrow compatible digital books. Independent online bookseller eBooks.com also offers DRM-protected titles in formats that work with Kobo devices.

Readers whose primary goal is supporting independent bookstores through e-book purchases may also consider using a different e-reader. Android-based devices such as Boox and Meebook support the Google Play Store, allowing users to install the Bookshop.org mobile application and purchase digital books directly through the service.

Nevertheless, many Kobo owners continue to hope that the long-promised Bookshop.org integration finally becomes a reality. For many readers, the ability to support independent bookstores was a major reason for choosing Kobo in the first place, even if some purchasing expectations were shaped by outdated online information and recommendations.

Owners of devices such as the Kobo Libra Colour continue to praise features including the responsive interface, high-quality e-ink display, and impressive battery life. Many also continue using older Kindle devices for similar reasons.

At the same time, the appeal of independent bookstores remains strong because of their knowledgeable staff, support for local authors, and community-focused approach to bookselling. If the planned partnership moves forward as expected, Bookshop.org could finally bring those independent bookstores to Kobo’s global user base, which the company says includes around 12 million users across 190 countries.