Last updated: September 14, 2023
Kobo is a service which lets you access ebooks and audiobooks. They can be purchased individually, or a selection can be accessed for a monthly subscription fee. The Kobo Books iOS app is one option for accessing the service. It has several accessibility barriers which make it a less-than-ideal option for VoiceOver users, but there are ways to work around them. These tutorials will demonstrate how to navigate and overcome these barriers.
Each section will fully explain how to perform the task and what will be on each screen as they do so, as well as a summary segment for people who want a short set of steps to follow. The summary sections will be marked with headings, so you can use navigation quick keys to jump to them. Many sections will also provide links to video demonstrations on how to use the app’s features.
This guide was written and recorded using version 10.4.1 of the Kobo app on an iPhone running iOS 16.3.1. It may be inaccurate for future versions or iPads with significantly larger screens.
Notes
Not all ebooks will be fully accessible. Images may not have alternative descriptions. Tables may not be formatted correctly. If there are links within a book, double-tapping them doesn’t open them. We don’t recommend Kobo for reading textbooks, graphic novels, or other books that aren’t primarily text.
You can lock your device’s screen when listening to audiobooks, and the book will keep playing. You can use the player controls on the lock screen to pause, resume, rewind, or fast forward without unlocking your device.