Sideload apps onto a Supernote device
A simple methodology for installing third-party applications on either the Supernote Nomad or Supernote Manta.
Ratta manufacture two models of their Supernote e-ink note-taking devices: the Nomad (A6X2) and the Manta (A5X2). These devices run on Chauvet: a specially-designed Android 11-based system which is designed to support the purposes of the device (ie be distraction-free). Hence, it is not possible to use Google Play to install additional apps, should they be required.
For my purposes, I wanted to install BookFusion because the native e-reader software is, well, rudimentary. Thankfully, Supernote do support the installation of apps via their sideloading feature.
There are two options for installing apps on a Supernote:
- Method 1: Install via F-Droid and Aurora Store (better for beginners)
- Method 2: Install directly using APK files (better for people who are a bit more tech-savvy)
Matters for Consideration
This tutorial will go through the steps for both methods. Before we begin, it’s worth noting the following:
- E-ink devices behave differently to normal devices with LED/LCD screens. They’re designed for reading static text, so regular refreshing can be messy. This means that the experience of many apps on the Supernote (or any other e-ink device) may not be great.
- The Supernote does not have Google GMS certification (it doesn’t really need it), but what this means is that apps which rely on this feature won’t work.
- Ratta will permit you to enable sideloading, but take no responsibility for any consequences. Be careful where you source your APK files to ensure that your device remains secure.
- These instructions are written for the Windows 11 operating system.
Method 1
This method involves installing F-Droid and Aurora Store, which in turn allows you to install and update apps from a store-like interface. Here are the steps:
- Enable sideloading on the Supernote Device
- Install Google Platform Tools
- Connect the Supernote to your computer
- Install F-Droid
- Install Aurora Store
- Install BookFusion (or any app you want)
Before we go through this procedure, it’s worth noting that there are some reports of Google users having their accounts banned if they log in with a Google account. The Aurora platform permits anonymous login, to make sure you use that option.
Step 1: Enable sideloading on the Supernote Device
On your Supernote device, go to Settings > Security and Privacy and toggle the Sideloading switch to “on”.
Step 2: Install Google Platform Tools
On your Windows machine, open up Windows Terminal (or Command Prompt) and install Google Platform Tools.
If you have Winget enabled, the command is easy:
winget install --id=Google.PlatformTools -eYou can also download and install this manually if you prefer, but you’ll need to add Google Platform Tools (ADB) to PATH if you choose to do it this way.
Step 3: Connect the Supernote to your computer
To enable Google Platform Tools to communicate with your Supernote, you’ll need to connect the Supernote to your computer. I recommend a USB-A to USB-C connection, to ensure that the Supernote is correctly identified as a peripheral device.
To test a successful connection, type adb devices into the Windows Terminal. You should receive a response that identifies the serial number of your device.
Step 4: Install F-Droid
Next, we’ll install F-Droid on the Supernote. F-Droid is a free and open source app store and software repository for Android, serving a similar function to the Google Play store. The main repository, hosted by the project, contains only free and open source apps.
The purpose of installing F-Droid is to enable the installation of the Aurora Store, which in turn will permit us to install almost any Android app that appears in the Google Play Store. The advantage of this methodology is that Aurora Store will check and update installed apps (like the Google Play Store), so a user doesn’t need to install individual programmes via APK’s.
But first, we do need to install F-Droid via an APK. This will be the first and last programme installed this way.
To do this, download the F-Droid APK from their website, and note the location to which it has been saved on your local machine. In my case, I saved it as fdroid.apk to my Downloads directory.
Next, in Windows Terminal, enter the following command (substituting the file path to the location of your F-Droid APK file):
adb install c:/path/to/file/fdroid.apk
Step 5: Install Aurora Store
Now it’s time to open the Supernote and navigate to F-Droid. You can disconnect your Supernote from the computer. Ensure that wi-fi is connected, and search the store for “Aurora Store”.
Open the information page in F-Droid, and click on “INSTALL” to install the Aurora Store on your Supernote.
Open Aurora Store on your Supernote to check that it’s all working.
Step 6: Install BookFusion (or almost any app you want)
Now that Aurora Store is installed and working, it’s just a case of locating the app that you want and then downloading and installing it. You can download all apps anonymously if you wish, except for those in the Google Play Store for which a payment is required to download. In that instance, you’ll need to log in via Aurora Store.
In my case, the BookFusion app is free. So a simple search in Aurora Store shows that it’s available and can be downloaded. Click on “Install” to install it. Repeat for any other apps that you’d like to add to your device.
Method 2
If you’re a bit more tech-savvy, Method 2 might be a better option for you. Whilst it eliminates the requirement to install F-Droid and Aurora Store, it comes with some caveats:
- You will need to check for software updates manually, because there will be no notification system on your Supernote device advising you that updates are available.
- You will need to source your APK files from a reputable and safe source (more on that below).
The steps will be as follows:
- Enable sideloading on the Supernote Device
- Install Google Platform Tools
- Connect the Supernote to your computer
- Source APK files
- Scan your APK files
- Install (or update) apps via adb
Step 1: Enable Sideloading on the Supernote
On your Supernote device, go to Settings > Security and Privacy and toggle the Sideloading switch to “on”.
Step 2: Install Google Platform Tools
On your Windows machine, open up Windows Terminal (or Command Prompt) and install Google Platform Tools.
If you have Winget enabled, the command is easy:
winget install --id=Google.PlatformTools -eYou can also download and install this manually if you prefer, but you’ll need to add Google Platform Tools (ADB) to PATH if you choose to do it this way.
Step 3: Connect the Supernote to your Computer
To enable Google Platform Tools to communicate with your Supernote, you’ll need to connect the Supernote to your computer. I recommend a USB-A to USB-C connection, to ensure that the Supernote is correctly identified as a peripheral device.
To test a successful connection, type adb devices into the Windows Terminal. You should receive a response that identifies the serial number of your device.
Step 4: Source APK files
There are two main sources of APK files that are considered safe:
I prefer UpToDown which, incidentally, has the app that I want (APK Mirror does not). Whichever site you use, download the APK file and save it to a folder with a name that you recognise.
Step 5: Scan your APK files
It’s a good idea to check your APK before it is installed on your device. Go to VirusTotal, upload the APK, and run a scan. This will only take a couple of seconds. If the file is okay, proceed to the next step.
Step 6: Install (or update) your app via adb
In Windows Terminal, enter the following command (substituting the file path to the location of your app’s APK file):
adb install c:/path/to/file/name_of_app.apkIf the app has not been previously installed, this process will install it. If the APK is for a newer version, this process will perform an update.
A Final Word
In my case, I don’t want to stray too far from the Supernote’s purpose: as a distraction-free device to assist with “mind flow”. One app will likely suffice for me: I just needed a better e-reader than the default one.
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