[All] Permanently fix unicode fonts in firmware of Kobo - Including 4.32

[Libra2]

Hi, I found a way to get rid of flaw display of Unicode fonts on the Kobo device after restarting. Even though the display can be rectified by picking one book, then return to home screen but I somehow feel that Kobo devices are inferior compared with those of Kindle in this aspect. Especially on 4.32, flaw display still appears on home screen despite fonts are side-loaded.

Here's the trick: Replacing Avenir and georgia from the official firmware will fix this flaw permanently (for Unicode problem). I think this can be applied for other language but did not test by myself. Having tested with Vietnamese which requires Unicode, I found the result is perfect for me.

Made a video myself:
https://youtu.be/MGyndMG68XU

Tools required:
WinRAR
7-zip
Official firmware
Fixed fonts: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cvd...ew?usp=sharing

Some fixed firmware I'm using for myself:
ClaraHD 4.30: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1izm...ew?usp=sharing
ClaraHD 4.32: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qGd...ew?usp=sharing
Libra2 4.30: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K0g...ew?usp=sharing
Libra2 4.32: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s5t...ew?usp=sharing
#fix #fonts #kobo #4.32

[oston]

Many thanks for tis work.
I downloaded and installed the fixed firmware for my new Libra2 4.32 device, but it did not solve my problem.
When I open a book that contains these diacritical chars ṇ ṅ ḷ ṁ ṭ , those characters are still not displayed.
Also the Georgia and Avenir fonts still show up as options for the Fonts.

Do you, or anyone else know why Kobo does not support the full capabilities of Unicode Fonts. I cannot see those diacritical chars even when I embed the complete Times New Roman in the epub.

Jim

[Colonel Cathcart]

Thank you, I just might need to do something like this to fix the issue for Hebrew.

[mimosavj]

Hi

This sounds like an excellent solution, I read mostly Vietnamese books too and I would like to apply this fix for Kobo Libra 2 4.33.19611. However when I follow your video instructions and replace the Avenir & georgia code and copy the fixed firmware to my kobo libra 2, it hang and I have to do a factory reset. Is it possible for you to create a fixed firmnware for kobo libra 2 and firmware 4.33.19611? The kobo's firmware is here https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

Thank you
M

[mimosavj]

Originally Posted by oston

Many thanks for tis work.
I downloaded and installed the fixed firmware for my new Libra2 4.32 device, but it did not solve my problem.
When I open a book that contains these diacritical chars ṇ ṅ ḷ ṁ ṭ , those characters are still not displayed.
Also the Georgia and Avenir fonts still show up as options for the Fonts.

Do you, or anyone else know why Kobo does not support the full capabilities of Unicode Fonts. I cannot see those diacritical chars even when I embed the complete Times New Roman in the epub.

Jim

I managed to set it up with the newest firmware for kobo libra 2 now. Somehow either ejecting the reader via windows explorer (not calibre) or re-zipping the firmware (after replacing the fonts) and copying the zip file to .kobo (reader) and unzip it there do the trick. Thank you for this great and simple trick to allow unicode fonts (Vietnamese only) to be displayed correctly in the menu and such.

Thank you
M

[Colonel Cathcart]

I made a 1st attempt at replacing the default font with something that contains Hebrew glyphs. My idea was to modify the font and add the glyphs to it, but that didn't go very since the fonts seems to be encrypted/obfuscated.

So I need to replace them with something else. Do I need to modify the fonts I want to use so that the font names (file names and internally) match those of the Avenir and Georgia?

[rtiangha]

Originally Posted by Colonel Cathcart

So I need to replace them with something else. Do I need to modify the fonts I want to use so that the font names (file names and internally) match those of the Avenir and Georgia?

Yes to changing the font names internally. Also, the file names have to be the same too.

If you like the look of Avenir and Georgia and would prefer to keep them, you can also try to modify unencrypted versions sourced from elsewhere. For example, Georgia is included in Windows and Nook firmware includes a copy of Avenir.

Another option if you're on firmware 4.33 is to replace the OpenDyslexic font (same method as above) with a better font and enable Dyslexic Mode. At least that way, you're only modifying one font instead of two, and probably a font you weren't going to use anyway.

EDIT: Dyslexic Mode would only work for changing the UI though. If you wanted to change the default reading fonts as well, then you'd have to change Georgia and Avenir Next anyways which means there'd be no point in going the Dyslexic Mode route.

[Libra2]

Sorry guys that I did not visit this regularly.
Good news that the flaw can be fixed by firmware modification or patch modification.
All files made by me is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/f...V7CgOHIGvhTHPG

[Mimonaut]

Originally Posted by Libra2

Sorry guys that I did not visit this regularly.
Good news that the flaw can be fixed by firmware modification or patch modification.
All files made by me is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/f...V7CgOHIGvhTHPG

Hi, please can you make fix for latest version of FW? I have Libra2, I am trying more than two years talk to kobo support team, they still have full mouth of promises how they finally actually working on solution blablabla.. and nothing happened..

Best regards..
Ondrej