In this article, I’ll share my top 10 tips for setting up your Boox Go 7 e-reader, as I happen to own one. I believe these tips are applicable to other Boox devices as well.
Since Boox e-ink devices run on Android 13, they’re more advanced but also less straightforward than Kindles or other e-readers.
1. Connect to WiFi and update firmware
For the first step, it’s a good idea to wire up your Boox device to a WiFi network so you can use it at full capacity.
Since I have received my Boox Go 7, it’s got a few software updates already. These include user interface improvements and security updates. Security updates are particularly important since you’ll use this device not only for reading but also for apps installed via Google Play, which requires logging in with your Google account.
2. Setup Homescreen Navigation Bar
The Boox Go 7’s default home screen navigation bar includes items like Library and Boox Store. Since the Boox Store mainly offers classic literature, you might not use it much.
And Library allows you to access your books uploaded directly to your device, such as files in .epub, PDF or fb2 formats.
But in case you’re like me and reading books via apps like Kindle or Google Play Books anyways, those items better be moved out of your way, letting the Apps menu item be the first and the default one – I think that’s the most useful setup.
3. Install your apps
First, you have to launch Google Play app and sign in to your Google account. That’s the point the Boox starts to shine, as now you can install Android apps.
Here’s some of Android apps that I’ve found useful on my Boox Go 7 so far:
- Kindle – works great on BOOX. Needs some tweaking in settings to make the side buttons turn pages, but that’s what I covered in my other video.
- Google Play Books – my favorite reading app, some books are way cheaper than on Kindle store, or even available exclusively on Google Play Books store.
- Google Chrome. On Boox, there is a pre-installed browser called NeoBrowser, which looks very similar to Chrome, but has its own features for e-ink displays. However it doesn’t allow to login to a Google account and sync bookmarks, history & passwords with your other devices, so Chrome looks like a better choice to me.
- Google Keep – simple yet efficient free Notes app from Google. I use it because it supports sync with my Pixel Phone, and even Pixel Watch app.
- Notion – On Boox, I’m using it for mostly proof-reading and improving documents like scripts for my YouTube videos; Check my other video for detailed Notion experience on Boox!
- Duolingo – a great app for practicing languages on the Boox Go 7, with smooth performance on its E-Ink display. However, a color E-Ink version of the Go 7 would make the lessons even more engaging!
- Grok – I prefer it to ChatGPT because it’s free and as good in most use cases. Also, on Boox Go 7 I had no luck with signing in to my ChatGPT account.
- YouTube Studio – works great on the Boox Go 7 for checking channel stats. I prefer it over my phone because the larger, eye-friendly E Ink screen makes everything easier to read and manage
Using these apps on the Boox Go 7 helps me cut down on screen time and enjoy working outdoors, even in bright sunlight.
4. Swap default keyboard with GBoard & add your languages
The default Boox keyboard on the Go 7 takes some getting used to and feels a bit basic, missing modern features like robust text suggestions or auto-correction. For a better typing experience, I suggest installing Gboard from the Google Play Store—it’s more intuitive and feature-rich
If you’re an Android user, you’re probably familiar with Gboard already. Even if you’re coming from iOS, you’ll find Gboard’s intuitive design easy to use on the Boox Go 7
5. Setup Navi ball
The Navi Ball is this floating button that allows you to access some actions in one tap. Its enabled by default, you can toggle it’s presence in the quick settings drawer.
Navi ball can contain a set of actions you’ll find useful while using your Boox device.
I’m not really using it, but BOOX allow to tweak it’s appearance, and also choose which actions to present.
6. Set actions for smart buttons
Smart buttons are those 2 physical buttons to the right of the screen.
By default the smart buttons are set to volume control.
To me that doesn’t make a lot of sense because first of all the e-ink screen is not the best choice for video apps anyways. And if you want to listen to music or audiobooks, you can set those buttons to control volume specifically in apps like YouTube or Spotify.
For the rest of apps, it makes sense to set those buttons to turn pages or scroll content.
You can also customize long-press actions for the smart buttons. I’ve set a long press on the top button to trigger the ‘Refresh’ screen, which clears the E Ink ghosting effect for a crisp display. The bottom button’s long press is set to ‘Switch App’ for quick multitasking.
7. Setup screen gestures
The Boox Go 7 allows you to swipe along the left or right screen edges to easily tweak device settings like brightness, color temperature, dark & light color filters or volume.
I’ve customized the Boox Go 7’s left edge swipe to control volume for quick, easy access.
For the right edge, I set it to adjust screen brightness, making it simple to fine-tune the display on the go.
By default BOOX allows to swipe from the bottom for going back or switching apps – just like on modern smartphones. However, If you’re like me and gesture navigation feels inconsistent, enable the old-school bottom navigation bar in Settings. It’s like the classic Android button layout (Back, Home, Recent Apps) and gives you a reliable way to navigate without swiping.
By the way, my Boox Go 7 is the black version, which has a flat glass screen surface that feels super smooth and natural when swiping, especially along the edges. The white version, on the other hand, uses a plastic-like PMMA screen that’s slightly indented, similar to some other e-readers like my previous reader – a 7” Kindle 2021. This might feel a bit different when swiping, and some users say it can collect dirt around the edges.
8. Unfreeze apps that must keep running on the background
If you plan to multitask, it’s a good idea to unfreeze some apps in case you don’t want them to be closed automatically as soon as you switch to another app.
Music apps like Spotify or Play Music must be unfrozen so they can playback music in the background.
Also it’s a good idea to keep productivity apps like Chrome or Notion unfrozen on the Boox Go 7 to easily switch between them while working.
9. Adjust power saving mode
By default Boox shuts down after 15m of inactivity to save battery, but this can disrupt your workflow since then it takes over 30 seconds to bootup.
So the default setting is fine for the users who use it like once a day before going to bed. But if you’re using your Boox throughout the day, it’s a good idea to adjust this setting according to your needs.
10. Adjust optimization setting per app
Each app can look different on the Boox’s e-ink screen. Swipe from the bottom-left edge to open the optimization drawer. Here, you can adjust contrast or DPI (which changes text and user interface size, but is not reliable in some apps such as Notion). Play around to make apps like Kindle or Notion look just right for you.
Wrap-up
That was my version of 10 essential settings for your Boox device.
If you think I’ve missed anything, feel free to share in the comments!