When automatic data transfer isn’t an option, you need to get creative. Onyx Boox tablets are impressive. They are enhanced e-readers featuring sharp E Ink screens, robust processors, and unrestricted access to Android and the Play Store. Sadly, you still miss out on some capabilities and features that standard Android tablets offer.
Setting up your new device is arguably the most vital Android functionality. When you power on a fresh Android device for the initial time, you can typically transfer all your data to it via Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, or a cable. However, Boox tablets lack this feature, limiting their functionality slightly.
Fortunately, there’s a straightforward method to transfer all your e-books, documents, and various files from one Onyx Boox tablet to another.
The incorrect method for utilizing USB OTG
All top-tier E Ink tablets from Onyx Boox are compatible with USB OTG — which stands for USB On The Go. Typically, this allows you to link a USB-C flash drive or a USB-C SSD to your phone or tablet.
You might have grimaced when you saw the term “flash drive,” but don’t fret; this workaround doesn’t require you to buy any extra Type-C thumb drives or accessories. You will, however, need a USB-C to USB-C cable that facilitates data transfer. Chances are, you probably have one lying around your house.
If you don’t possess one, you can purchase an inexpensive USB-C cable that supports data transfer.
How to move data from one Onyx Boox tablet to another
With both your Onyx Boox tablets and the appropriate USB-C cable in hand, you are ready to go. For this guide, I utilized a Note Air 4 C and a Note Air 5 C, but this technique should be effective with any other Boox tablet, as they all support USB OTG.
1. Connect the USB-C cable to the tablet you’re transferring data from first.
2. Then, connect the other end of the C-to-C cable to the tablet to which you want to transfer data.
3. The Boox file manager should launch automatically.
4. Identify the files you want to transfer.
5. Choose and copy the files.
6. Locate the folder where you want to add the files on your destination device and paste them.
And there you have it!
That’s all! The copying procedure shouldn’t consume too much time, depending on the quantity and size of the files.
Before importing your e-books, I strongly recommend syncing your reading progress to your Onyx Boox account. This way, you can transfer all your data to your new Boox device without losing track of your progress for each book.
I hope this tip was as useful for you as it was for me when I first stumbled upon it while setting up my Note Air 5 C. The idea of having to transfer all my e-books from my PC to my tablet once more felt incredibly overwhelming, especially since I had downloaded many of them directly to my previous Note Air 4 C.
However, if you have the stamina to connect your tablet to your computer each time, I highly recommend Calibre for your e-book management requirements. This open-source tool is a lifesaver and has not let me down once since I began using it in 2010.