Rakuten has announced a new integration between Instapaper and Kobo ereaders, allowing users to access saved articles directly on their devices. The move comes after Mozilla shut down Pocket in May 2025, forcing Rakuten to find a replacement for its popular read-it-later feature. With Instapaper now onboard, Kobo readers regain a streamlined way to manage and enjoy their saved content.
How It Works
The Instapaper integration on Kobo devices mirrors the functionality previously available through Pocket. Once users link their Instapaper account, their saved articles appear in their Kobo library. From there, articles can be downloaded for offline access, liked, archived, or deleted as needed. While the system works smoothly, current limitations include the lack of handwritten annotation support on stylus-enabled models such as the Kobo Libra Colour or Kobo Elipsa 2E.
From Pocket to Instapaper
Mozilla discontinued Pocket, along with several smaller products, to refocus resources on Firefox. For Kobo users, the loss of Pocket created a gap in one of the platform’s most convenient features. Instapaper, once acquired by Pinterest in 2016 and later returned to independence in 2018, has now stepped in as a strong alternative. While Instapaper differs slightly — placing less emphasis on preserving images compared to Pocket — the overall functionality remains a close match.
Availability
The new Instapaper feature is available worldwide on all currently supported Kobo ereaders. For readers with extensive backlogs of saved articles, the integration restores a simple and reliable way to catch up on long reads without relying on third-party workarounds. Given Instapaper’s global reach and Kobo’s growing ecosystem, the partnership ensures continued support for readers who rely on seamless access to saved content.
Conclusion
By replacing Pocket with Instapaper, Rakuten has secured a capable alternative that keeps Kobo ereaders useful for more than just ebooks. While missing features like stylus annotation may limit its appeal for some, the integration ensures that readers once again have a smooth, reliable read-it-later experience directly on their devices.