As focused productivity devices, many E Ink tablets don't entirely work on their own. I love writing on the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, but I'll be the first to admit you need a computer to use it to the fullest. Part of this is by design. Apps, notifications and other features that would make these tablets truly independent could also be a source of distraction. But not having a consistent way to get files and reading material on and off your device might also limit you from being as mobile as you want to be.
How to use your reMarkable's USB web interface to transfer files
Your phone can help more than you might think
I've found using Connect and reMarkable's mobile apps so convenient in the several years I've been using and reviewing the company's devices that I totally forgot that there's another way to get books and PDFs on my device via a wired connection. You can mount your reMarkable like a hard drive in the reMarkable companion app, and drag and drop files in that way, but you can also eliminate the need for an app entirely by using your device's USB web interface.
What's great about this transfer process is that you don't need to get a computer involved to have new things to work with on your device.
With the feature toggled on, you can access your device's storage from any web browser and add in files, in this case, directly from your smartphone. You can also export files from your reMarkable to use in another app or send to someone else in the same way. The one caveat is that you need to make sure your smartphone's USB-C port supports more than just charging. All modern Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones support data transfer over USB-C. In the case of the iPhone, Apple's phones started supporting USB-C data transfer beginning with the iPhone 15 lineup, the only difference to be aware of is that Pro iPhones support faster transfer speeds than non-Pro phones.
To transfer files from your phone:
- Connect your reMarkable to your phone via a USB-C cable.
- On your reMarkable, from the My Files screen, tap on the menu icon in the top left corner and then tap on Settings.
- Tap on Storage, and toggle Enable USB web interface to on.
- On your smartphone, open your web browser and enter 10.11. 99.1 into the URL field.
You should now be able to upload or drag and drop files directly onto your reMarkable from your phone's storage. The process will vary slightly depending on your phone, but for iPhones and iOS / iPadOS devices, you can tap Import and then Choose Files to open up the Files app and select a file to upload.
If the URL doesn't load the contents of your reMarkable when you enter it, try using a different browser.
The two file types all reMarkable devices universally support are PDF and EPUB, though if you're uploading content from my.remarkable.com or via an extension in your browser or Microsoft, you'll have more options. What's great about this transfer process is that you don't need to get a computer involved to have new things to work with on your device. It's also a convenient way to add a PDF of an article you found on your phone that you want to read later.
A smartphone and a reMarkable are a fantastic pair
The ultimate workflow for mobile note-taking and reading
One of the key advantages of reMarkable's move into smaller form factors, like the aptly named Paper Pro Move, is that it makes the company's writing experience infinitely more portable. In my time reviewing the device, I spent a lot less time sitting and writing, and a lot more time writing directly on the Move as I was holding it in my hand.
Pairing that with a smartphone that can fit in your pocket makes a lot of sense. And if, like me, your phone is often the first place you run into things you might want to read later or download, transferring that content directly from your phone is easier than waiting to do it from a laptop.
reMarkable Paper Pro Move
- Resolution
- Canvas Color display (based on E Ink Gallery 3) 7.3-inch (16:9 aspect ratio) 1696 x 954 resolution (264 pixels per inch)
- Processor
- 1.7 GHz Dual Core Cortex-A55
- RAM
- 2GB LPDDR4x RAM
- Battery
- 2,334 mAh
The reMarkable Paper Pro Move is a smaller, less expensive alternative to the standard Paper Pro. It features a 7.3-inch E Ink Gallery 3 display, 2GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.
Of course, none of this is necessary if you're a Connect subscriber or have consistent access to Wi-Fi, but it's nice to know you have options when those aren't available. For a deeper exploration of whether a reMarkable can replace a Kindle for reading, Pocket-lint has you covered. And if you're interested in other devices for reading and taking notes, you should look at Pocket-lint's coverage of the new Kindle Scribes.