Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
Tablets can already do everything that e-readers do, so turning one into an e-reader is easier than you think. However, there are reasons people buy dedicated e-readers instead of tablets, including the fact that they can cause eye strain and are filled with distractions. With a few tweaks, any iPad or Android tablet can feel pretty close to an e-reader.
Also: I've tried dozens of E Ink tablets, but this Android checks more of my boxes than any other
Your tablet can become your personal library and even do a better job than a dedicated device. Like e-readers, tablets let you read digital books, but they also tend to have more storage than dedicated devices, so you can carry thousands of titles at once.
Tablets are also more versatile, so you can add your own books and use multiple apps to read.
How to turn a tablet into an e-reader
Look through the apps on the tablet you plan to use as an e-reader and remove any that will be a distraction. If you'd rather keep the tablet strictly for reading, remove social media and games, then silence your notifications.
You can turn on Do Not Disturb or, on an iPad, set a specific Focus mode for reading.
Add your favorite reading apps, like the Kindle app (available on iOS and Android) and Libby, which gives you access to your public library's digital catalog. As a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, the Kindle app is one of the first ones I add to a new tablet, as I can access my Kindle Library from anywhere.
Also: How to add EPUB, MOBI, and PDF files to your Kindle – no converting required
Apple and Google each have Books apps with built-in stores if you're looking to shop around. You can also add news apps and any files you have to your reading tablet.
Eye strain is one of the biggest cons of using a tablet as a dedicated e-reader. This type of fatigue is caused by glare and light temperature, so adding a matte screen protector to your tablet can make reading more comfortable for long periods.
You can find matte screen protectors for most tablets on the market, and they're pretty cheap, starting at $5 for a two-pack.
Many tablets on the market feature settings you can tweak to improve eye comfort. Changing your tablet's backlight temperature to favor a warmer tone and switching its display to dark mode will make it easier on your eyes. A lot of tablets have built-in eye comfort features that automatically do this for you; just find these in your settings.
A Kindle is a handheld e-reader that is light enough to carry in one hand for easy reading, but third-party accessories like a Strapsicle can make almost any tablet comfortable enough for reading. Though Strapsicles are for Kindles, Strapsicle is working on new iPad cases coming soon.
Also: My favorite Kindle accessory brand just released an iPad case at CES – and it's pure genius
Similarly, other brands offer hand straps to hold tablets in one hand, including CoBak. I've been using one of these straps on my TCL Nxtpaper 11 tablet for months, which has made it easier to use such a large tablet for reading.
More accessories to turn your tablet into an e-reader
There are many accessories available to help you use your tablet for long periods without distractions or eye fatigue. Here are other accessories you can add to your tablet to make it feel more like an e-reader:
- You can get a tablet stand for your desk, lap, or a floor stand to hold your tablet at the perfect height for your eyes.
- A distraction-removing app can also block all apps from interrupting you during reading, kind of like a Brick device does for your phone.
- Many e-reader users love a good page turner remote, myself included. These work to control your touchscreens, so you can read and turn pages without having to touch the screen. This has been a fun addition to read in bed, and is especially liked by readers who use a stand.
