Supernote Firmware Version 3.25

Current sub-version: 3.25
Also applies to version 2.23 (for X-Series)

This page is an overview of the Ratta Supernote firmware, exploring the operating system and native apps. It was written to help people understand what is possible with the software prior to making a purchase.

Technically, Supernote tablets have two main versions of their firmware. This version is used on the X2-series (Supernote Nomad and Supernote Manta), whilst the other is used on the older X-series of tablets (Supernote A5 X, and Supernote A6 X). However, the differences between them are so minor that from September 2025, I will only review this one (because it saves me having to update two pages with the same information!)

New in this version

• Support for Private Cloud
• Support for ServerLink/NetVirtualDisk
• Various bugfixes and optimisations

With this update, Supernote have done something pretty amazing and unprecedented in the e-ink tablet landscape – they have packaged up their backend cloud system (for synchromising/backing up files on your Supernote tablet) and made it available for users to install on their own hardware. This means that users can have the full functionality of the Supernote cloud without having to be reliant on third-parties – full data sovereignty. Users need never connect their Supernote tablet to the Internet if they don’t want to, and need never store their files on third-party hardware.

For me, this is a wonderful improvement to an already wonderful product, and will be exciting for users that need cloud services, but also want to keep their data 100% in-house for security and privacy reasons.

Having said that, users should be aware that setting up a Private Cloud is not a simple process and does require some technical knowledge. Supernote provide a script to get it to install, and decent documentation, but users are responsibility for choosing and buying the hardware (server), and configuring it (and the firewall). It is a task best suited for IT Departments or users with backend IT expertise. However, it does overcome one of the hurdles with using Supernote devices in a corporate/enterprise environment – often data privacy and security can be a major concern for the IT Dept, but with the option to keep it all in-house, there is much more likelihood of Supernote devices being allowed on these networks.

Supernote also added the ServerLink app (now called NetVirtualDisk). This allows you to set up a network drive on your Supernote that can connect to servers running the WebDAV protocol. I’ve set up and currently use this feature myself because I store my ebook library on a NextCloud server. The process was simple, and it now means that I can browse my library and download ebooks to my Supernote from the device itself.

Overall, a fantastic update for those concerned about data privacy on e-ink clouds!

Operating System

The operating system on Ratta Supernote e-ink tablets is, technically speaking, built on Android. On the newer devices it runs atop Android 11; on the older X-series hardware it is Android 8.1. However, in day-to-day use it neither resembles nor behaves like a conventional Android system. The underlying architecture is largely irrelevant to the user experience because Ratta has overhauled the interface so comprehensively that the result feels entirely bespoke.

This is not an Android tablet in the conventional sense. There is no access to the Google Play Store. Third-party applications cannot be installed by default. It is possible to sideload APK files, but the process is comparatively inelegant and presupposes a degree of technical fluency. I do not consider this a flaw so much as a deliberate philosophical choice. Supernote is conceived first and foremost as a reading and writing instrument. The hardware and software are not optimised for running arbitrary Android applications, and if one’s primary intention is to install and experiment with third-party apps, this is simply not the appropriate device.

Home Screen & File Structure

When I power on a Supernote, I am presented not with a grid of apps but with the root of the file system itself. This is a design decision I appreciate enormously. The system foregrounds documents rather than apps.

There are six principal directories:

• Document: PDFs, eBooks, Word docs etc.
• Note: all notebooks
• EXPORT: notebooks exported as PDF or text
• MyStyle: custom templates
• SCREENSHOT: captured images
• INBOX: mailbox data (if the Supernote email client is configured)

If I insert a microSD card, a Disk directory appears. If I configure a WebDAV connection, that too is surfaced directly within the root. Nothing feels buried.

Navigation is clean and unencumbered. Tapping a folder drills down into it; tapping a file opens it in the appropriate application. When I move beyond the root directory, additional controls appear in the upper right corner: create a notebook, generate a Word document, start a drawing (in Atelier, Supernote’s drawing app), create a new folder, toggle favourites. I can switch between grid and list views, sort by name, size, or modification date, and long-press to rename, copy, move, upload (to WebDAV), delete, or password-lock a file.

It is all eminently rational. I can construct my own hierarchy of folders and subfolders without constraint. The system remains legible even as it becomes complex.

Control Centre & System Toggles

A downward swipe from the top of the display reveals a compact ‘control centre’. Here I can toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (long-pressing opens their respective configuration menus), enable “Browse & Access” (to view the Supernote’s file system through a browser on the same local network and transfer files), or activate screen mirrorin, again via browser, for a live view of the device’s display.

There are additional controls for orientation lock, manual synchronisation, screenshots, full system settings, and global search.

The global search function is, frankly, exceptional. It searches not only file names but also handwritten content and inserted text across the entire file system. Crucially, this operates entirely locally. No internet connection is required. The indexing and retrieval are fast, accurate, and profoundly useful. In practical terms, it means I can treat my handwritten notebooks as a genuinely searchable knowledge base rather than a static archive.

Text Input & Handwriting Conversion

The on-screen keyboard appears whenever text entry is required. Here I must be candid: there is a slight but perceptible latency. If I type quickly, I need to moderate my cadence – perhaps by twenty percent – to ensure consistent registration. The lag is minor, but it exists.

In practice, however, I rarely use the virtual keyboard. Supernote allows the keyboard area to be replaced with a handwriting canvas. I can simply write, and the system converts my script into typed text with impressive accuracy. I use this feature constantly. It is faster, more natural, and paradoxically more reliable than tapping keys.

Quick Navigation Bar

A downward swipe along the capacitive strip on the right bezel summons the quick navigation bar. This is one of the most intelligently implemented navigation tools I have encountered on an e-ink device.

From here I can:

• Open any of the eight most recently accessed files
• Create a new notebook instantly
• Jump back to the last opened note or document
• Access up to eight custom quick links (which I can assign to notebooks, documents, or even specific notebook pages)
• Launch supplementary apps such as Digest, Mail, Calendar, and To-Do (which I will discuss further in a later section)

This dramatically reduces navigational friction. I seldom feel more than a gesture away from where I want to be.

Notebook Files

One aspect of the Supernote system I particularly admire is the treatment of notebooks as discrete, visible files within the file system. They are not concealed within an opaque database accessible only through the note-taking application. Each notebook is a single proprietary file that I can copy, move, back up, or organise like any other document.

Admittedly, these files cannot be opened outside the Supernote ecosystem because they use a proprietary format (you must use either a Supernote tablet or the Supernote Companion App). Nevertheless, the conceptual clarity is refreshing. My notebooks feel like tangible artefacts rather than abstract entries in a hidden container.

Performance & Responsiveness

Admittedly, in terms of raw responsiveness, the Supernote is not the fastest e-ink device I have used. There is occasionally a very slight delay between input and visual response. It is most evident when typing on the virtual keyboard or performing rapid interface interactions.

However, the delay is minute – noticeable primarily if one has recently used more cutting-edge hardware. It does not materially impede productivity. It is not a significant point of friction. After a short acclimatisation period, I cease to register it consciously.

Overall Impression

The Supernote operating system is austere, methodical, and purpose-driven. It avoids the sprawl and distraction of general-purpose Android while retaining just enough of its underlying flexibility. Navigation is coherent, file management is transparent, and the integration of handwriting search elevates it beyond many competitors.

The only other issue I have personally encountered with the Supernote operating system relates to Wi-Fi connectivity. For reasons I have never entirely resolved, it refuses to connect directly to my office network, although it works flawlessly on my home Wi-Fi – I get around this by creating a wifi hotspot on my phone for the Supernote to connect to. After some investigation, this appears to be related to enterprise-grade security certificates and Android rather than any idiosyncratic defect specific to Supernote. I have experienced precisely the same problem with other Android-based e-ink tablets, including devices from Onyx Boox and Bigme. In other words, this seems to be a broader Android e-ink compatibility issue with certain secured corporate networks, rather than a unique failing of the Supernote platform itself. It is worth noting, but I would not characterise it as a Supernote-specific shortcoming.

It is not designed to be everything. It is designed to be a disciplined digital notebook and document reader. Within that remit, I find it thoughtful, mature, and, despite minor latency, eminently usable.

Native Note-Taking Software

When I create a new notebook on a Supernote tablet, the system first asks me to name it and select a template. There are just over thirty built-in templates. That is fewer than some competing brands, but I do not find it restrictive because Supernote supports custom templates extremely well. I can download templates, design my own, and simply drop them into the MyStyle directory at the root of the file system.

More significantly, Supernote allows the importation of PDF templates directly into the notebook environment. This means I can use a multi-page PDF planner – with fully functional internal hyperlinks – inside the native note-taking app. The links remain operational. In practice, this dramatically expands what a “template” can be.

Notebook Types: Standard vs Real-Time Recognition

When creating a notebook, I must also choose between two types:

• Standard Notebook
• Real-Time Recognition Notebook

Real-time recognition notebooks convert handwriting to text continuously in the background. They support handwriting search and noticeably faster handwriting-to-text conversion. The trade-off is battery consumption: they are less power-efficient.

Standard notebooks are more frugal with power. However, they do not support handwriting search, and text conversion is marginally slower. They do, however, support layers – something real-time recognition notebooks lack.

Layers

Layers function exactly as one would expect: transparent sheets stacked atop one another, with the template forming the base layer. Standard notebooks support up to four additional custom layers. These can be reordered, hidden, shown, or deleted.

For technical diagrams, annotations, or structured problem solving, layers are extremely useful. I often separate rough working from final notation, or isolate different conceptual elements onto separate planes. The implementation is simple but effective.

Interface Layout

Within a notebook, the majority of the display is devoted to the writing canvas. A toolbar runs along one edge (movable to any side or floating freely), and a status bar can sit at the top or bottom. Double-tapping the status bar hides it entirely.

The status bar displays the notebook name and current page number relative to the total page count.

The toolbar is dense but logically arranged. It includes:

• Exit notebook
• Table of contents/Navigation
• Three pen tools (user customisable)
• Eraser, selection eraser, erase-all
• Text insertion
• Sticker insertion
• Lasso select tool
• Undo / redo
• Template changer
• Page overview
• Handwriting-to-text conversion
• Export
• Add shortcut to quick navigation bar (when swiping down on the touch sensitive bar on the bezel)
• Insert link
• Add keyword
• Page management (insert, copy, move, delete)
• Search
• Settings

Despite the number of functions, the interface rarely feels cluttered because I can reposition or minimise the toolbar at will.

Pen Tools

Compared to other e-ink brands, the pen selection appears sparse. There are only three tools:

1. Needle Point Pen: thin, no pressure sensitivity
2. Ink Pen: slightly thicker, pressure sensitive
3. Marker: thick, no pressure sensitivity

The needle point and ink pens allow thickness adjustments. The marker has a single thickness setting. Four colours are available across all tools: white, light grey, dark grey, and black. When the marker is set to grey tones, it effectively functions as a highlighter layered over existing strokes.

There is no tilt sensitivity and no specialised brush types such as pencil or calligraphy nibs. This is not a sketch-centric environment – although many users do create marvelous drawings within the note-taking app, it is fundamentally a writing system. If one wishes to draw seriously, Supernote provides a separate application (Atelier) which I will discuss later.

Writing Experience

The writing experience itself is excellent. There is no perceptible latency. Ink appears precisely where I expect it to, and it feels as though it sits directly on the screen surface rather than beneath it. Accuracy is consistently high.

Ghosting is rare. On the infrequent occasions it appears, a quick upward swipe on the right touch bar forces a full refresh and clears the display instantly. Even the device’s periodic full refreshes are subdued to the point of being almost imperceptible. In day-to-day use, I hardly notice them, and the overall feeling I get from the screen is that it is ‘static‘ – many eink devices I’ve used have regular perceivable refreshes.

Erasing & Shape Behaviour

There is a stroke eraser (three thickness options), a selection eraser, and an erase-all function. Undo and redo are easily accessible.

If I draw a straight line and briefly hold the stylus in place, the system straightens it automatically. However, unlike some competing platforms, it will not auto-perfect complex shapes such as circles, squares, or triangles. The correction is limited to straight lines.

Structuring: Headings, Keywords, and Stars

The table of contents (TOC) is one of the strongest aspects of Supernote’s note-taking architecture. It comprises three organisational systems:

• Headings
• Keywords
• Stars

Headings allow me to divide a notebook into structured sections, analogous to book chapters. I create them by lasso-selecting handwritten titles. Tapping a heading in the TOC takes me directly to its page. For large notebooks, this is transformative. I can navigate hundreds of pages with minimal friction. I remain perplexed as to why more manufacturers have not implemented something comparable.

Keywords function similarly to tags. I lasso handwritten text, designate it as a keyword, and the system converts it into searchable text to use for the keyword automatically. Keywords are integrated into global search.

Stars are quick importance markers. I draw a five-pointed star; the system recognises and perfects it. Starred pages can be searched or browsed within the TOC. This is useful creating reminders, and some people use it as a todo list.

Together, these tools allow for genuinely sophisticated structural organisation within long-form handwritten documents.

Text Tool & Bluetooth Keyboard Support

The text tool enables insertion of editable text boxes. I can type using the on-screen keyboard (with its slight but manageable lag) or write for automatic conversion. Formatting options include font selection, size adjustments, bold, italic, and left/centre/right justification.

Bluetooth keyboard support is available and works reliably. In previous iterations of the firmware, third-party keyboards were quite laggy to the point of being unusable. Recent improvements have made keyboard input quicker and more reliable, however, there is still a slight lag (not dissimilar to the lag on the virtual keyboard).

I can also paste text from other applications, such as the reading app, or insert excerpts saved via the Digest feature (which I will discuss in more detail in the the ‘Reading App’ section below). This creates meaningful interoperability within the ecosystem.

Stickers

Stickers are a uniquely Supernote feature. They function as reusable graphical elements. The system includes numerous pre-installed stickers (icons, mood faces, objects, activity symbols), but I can easily create my own stickers by lasso-selecting drawings and saving them into a sticker collection.

Collections can be organised, searched, imported, and exported (using Supernote’s proprietary SNSTK format).

As a practical example: while studying mathematics, I created coordinate axis stickers. Rather than redrawing axes repeatedly, I inserted them instantly. It sounds trivial, but in sustained academic work it meaningfully reduces repetition.

Lasso Select & Conversion

The lasso tool is extraordinarily versatile. After selecting content, I can:

• Move, resize, rotate
• Cut, copy, paste
• Convert to heading or keyword
• Create a sticker
• Insert a link
• Convert to text
• Convert to text and send to Digest
• Convert into a calendar event
• Convert into a task

This degree of functional density from a single tool is impressive.

Linking

Links can connect to other notebook pages, other local files (notebooks/documents), or websites. The built-in web browser is rudimentary (serviceable for simple sites but far from robust) however linking remains useful for internal navigation and lightweight external references.

Page Overview & Export

The page overview displays thumbnails of all notebook pages. I can tap to navigate or long-press to select multiple pages for movement, duplication, deletion, or insertion of new pages before or after.

The handwriting recognition panel shows each page rendered as text. While I cannot directly edit the recognised text within this panel (although I can ask the system to re-recognise it), I can export selected pages as TXT or DOCX files for editing elsewhere. I can also export as PNG or PDF. All exports are saved to the EXPORT directory in the root file system.

Overall Impression

The native Supernote note-taking application is not flamboyant. It does not attempt to be an artistic studio. Instead, it excels as a structured, academically serious writing environment. Its strengths lie not in decorative pen variety but in organisational depth, file transparency, and functional and intuitive integration.

For sustained, structured intellectual work – particularly long-form handwritten notes – it is one of the most thoughtfully constructed note-taking systems I have ever used.

Native Reading & Annotation Software

The native reading application on Ratta Supernote devices is primarily designed to handle EPUB and PDF files, although CBZ (comic books) and FB2 (a rarely-used ePub alternative) are also supported. TXT and DOCX files are opened in a separate application, which I will discuss later. The reading app is therefore focused on long-form structured documents rather than general text editing.

EPUB Experience

When I open an EPUB, the interface feels immediately familiar because it closely mirrors the note-taking app. The status bar displays the current page number (bottom left) and the book title (bottom right). As with notebooks, double-tapping the status bar hides it entirely.

The toolbar sits at the top. From left to right, I can:

• Exit the book
• Open the table of contents
• Access three custom pen tools
• Use text selection
• Erase handwritten marks
• Lasso-select annotations
• Perform search
• Adjust formatting

The table of contents panel includes not only the book’s native TOC, but also any keywords, bookmarks, or annotations I have created. Handwritten annotations are treated similarly to those in notebooks, and keywords can be assigned either to handwritten notes or to the page itself.

However, there is a significant caveat: EPUB files are reflowable. Once I add handwritten annotations directly onto the page, I lose the ability to adjust layout settings such as font type or font size. The text effectively becomes fixed in place. This is a structural limitation inherent to the way Supernote (and many other brands) handles annotation overlays on reflowable text.

Text selection is entirely stylus-centric. I must drag the stylus across text using the selection tool. Alternatively, I can draw square brackets at the beginning and end of a passage to extract it (square brackets are particularly useful for excerpts that span two pages). Either method allows me to:

• Copy the text
• Add it to the Digest

Unlike many dedicated e-readers, I cannot long-press with a finger to select text. There are no built-in dictionaries, so word definition lookups are not available. This positions the reading app as more utilitarian than feature-rich.

If I have not added handwritten annotations, I can adjust font, font size, line spacing, margins, and contrast. Full-text search within the EPUB is supported and works reliably.

PDF Experience

PDF handling is broadly similar but more naturally suited to annotation because PDFs are fixed-layout documents. I can annotate freely with pen tools, erase marks, and lasso-select my handwriting.

Text extraction in PDFs offers an additional option. When I select text with the highlighting tool, I can either:

• Add it to the Universal Digest
• Keep it as an in-document highlight

Highlights can be formatted as either highlighted text or underlined text. A list of highlights and underlines appears within the table of contents panel. However, somewhat strangely, I cannot export this list independently; I can only delete entries. That feels somewhat odd – presumably this type of highlight is designed to remain attached to the PDF/Supernote itself rather than processed on other devices. I can also attach text-based notes to highlights.

Layout controls differ from EPUBs. Obviously (because PDFs have a fixed layout)I cannot change fonts, line spacing etc. but I can adjust contrast and crop margins. On newer devices that support landscape orientation, I can view PDFs in half-page landscape mode. For dense academic PDFs with small text, this significantly improves readability.

Unlike EPUBs, annotated PDFs can be exported as a new PDF file with handwriting preserved.

Limitations as a Pure Reader

As a standalone e-reading experience, the Supernote reading app is not the most versatile I have used. There is:

• No dictionary functionality
• No finger-based long-press selection
• Limited layout customisation compared to some competitors

Text selection is heavily stylus-dependent, which feels slightly anachronistic in an era where touch gestures are ubiquitous, but perhaps fits in with Supernote’s ‘For those who write‘ philosophy.

For casual or pleasure reading, other platforms such as Boox and Kindle offer a more polished experience.

The Digest: Supernote’s Defining Feature

Where Supernote distinguishes itself decisively is through the Digest system.

Digest is a separate application that acts as a centralised repository for every excerpt I extract from EPUBs, PDFs, and even notebooks. Whenever I create a Digest entry within the reading app – either by text selection or by drawing square brackets – it is automatically stored in the Digest app.

This fundamentally alters the knowledge management paradigm.

On most e-ink devices, highlights remain imprisoned within the book file unless exported manually. Supernote instead aggregates knowledge across all sources into one searchable database.

Within Digest, entries are categorised first by type (document, notes, or manual entries), and second by source (the originating book or notebook). I can also create custom categories to build my own taxonomy. Full search across the entire corpus of extracted material is supported.

I can attach handwritten or typed notes to individual digest entries. Individual or multiple digests can be exported as:

• Text files (text only)
• PDFs (including annotations)

Moreover, Digest synchronises with the Supernote Partner app. I can view my extracted material on other devices, add manual entries, and there’s even a tool to scan a physical document using a camera and extract the text into the system.

Personal Assessment

Personally, I find Digest to be one of the most intellectually valuable features on the device. If I am researching a topic, I can aggregate quotations from multiple books and documents under a single category. The fragmentation that usually characterises digital reading workflows simply disappears.

As a pure e-reader, the Supernote is competent but not exceptional. Its layout controls are restrained, and it lacks certain conveniences found elsewhere.

As a research instrument, however, it is formidable.

For academics, students, or anyone engaged in sustained analytical reading who wishes to consolidate material from disparate publications into a unified, searchable knowledge base, the Supernote reading ecosystem is remarkably effective.

Ecosystem

The first thing I must emphasise about the Supernote ecosystem is something deceptively simple: notebooks behave like ordinary files.

They are not entombed within a hidden database. They are not sequestered behind an opaque application layer. A notebook is a discrete file sitting plainly inside the file system. I can cut, copy, move, rename, lock, or back it up exactly as I would any other document. In the context of e-ink tablets, this is genuinely unusual. With most competing brands, notebooks exist inside a closed internal structure, manipulable only through the vendor’s browsing interface. Supernote’s approach grants me file-level sovereignty.

From a backup perspective, this is refreshingly straightforward. Synchronisation is effectively a matter of maintaining copies of the root directories. Only modified files update during sync, making incremental backups efficient and predictable.

Cloud Synchronisation Options

Supernote provides several synchronisation pathways:

• Supernote’s proprietary cloud
• Google Drive
• Microsoft OneDrive
• Dropbox
• A self-hosted Supernote private cloud

If I choose a third-party cloud provider such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, the system effectively creates a mirrored backup. As with all e-ink brands, notebook files remain in a proprietary format, so they cannot be opened directly outside the Supernote environment unless manually exported as PDF, PNG, TXT, or DOCX.

However, when using Supernote’s own backend (either hosted by Supernote or self-hosted) ,the ecosystem expands considerably through the companion application.

Supernote Partner App

The Supernote Partner app is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It functions as a remote portal into my Supernote environment.

Through the app, I can:

• Browse all notebooks and documents
• Rename, move, copy, and delete files
• Open notebooks for viewing
• Export notebooks as PNG, PDF, or text
• Manage tasks in the To-Do list
• View, categorise, export, and create Digests

Digest management through the app is particularly well implemented. I can create manual digest entries by typing, or I can photograph a physical document using my device’s camera. The system performs text extraction and inserts it as a digest entry. This effectively bridges the analogue and digital domains.

In practice, this means my knowledge base is not confined to the tablet itself. If I need to reference something I wrote weeks ago, and don’t have my Supernote to hand, I can retrieve it from my phone. If I encounter useful information in print, I can scan it directly into my system without even touching the Supernote device.

It is important to note that the Partner app requires the Supernote backend (either official cloud or private server). It does not function purely with third-party drives.

Supernote Private Cloud

The Private Cloud option deserves particular attention. To my knowledge, Supernote is unique among major e-ink platforms in allowing a fully self-hosted note-taking ecosystem.

Most competitors mandate use of their proprietary cloud or integration with external third-party providers. Supernote permits complete infrastructural independence. I can host my own server (on a NAS device, for example) and keep my entire ecosystem off third-party infrastructure.

For individuals concerned with data sovereignty and privacy, this is enormously significant.

That said, configuring a Private Cloud is not trivial. It requires technical competence and dedicated hardware. This is not a plug-and-play feature for casual users.

Offline Philosophy

What reinforces this autonomy is Supernote’s broader design philosophy. The device is engineered to function entirely independently.

Handwriting recognition and handwriting search operate locally. Text conversion does not require an internet connection. No subscription is necessary to unlock core features. Many competing brands require cloud accounts, or even paid plans (e.g. reMarkable), for similar capabilities.

Supernote also allows firmware updates to be downloaded manually from their website and installed locally. I do not need to connect the device to the internet to update it. This further reinforces the theme of self-sufficiency.

WebDAV & Network Integration

Supernote includes a feature called NetVirtualDesk, which allows me to mount a WebDAV network drive directly on the device. I personally use this to connect to my self-hosted Nextcloud server, where I store my eBook library.

This integration allows the Supernote to operate as part of a broader personal infrastructure rather than as an isolated gadget.

File Transfer Methods

Beyond cloud and WebDAV, files can be transferred:

• Via USB cable
• Through a web browser over local Wi-Fi
• Via microSD card (on supported models)
• Over email (if the email client is configured)

The browser-based transfer system is particularly convenient for quick, local exchanges without cloud involvement.

Overall Assessment

The Supernote ecosystem is characterised by autonomy and structural transparency. It does not attempt to lock the user into a proprietary silo. Instead, it offers multiple levels of engagement:

• Simple cloud backup for casual users
• Cross-device integration via the Partner app
• Full self-hosted independence for technically inclined users

The unifying theme is control. My notebooks are tangible files. My data can live where I choose. Core functionality works offline.

In an industry increasingly defined by subscription models and enforced cloud dependence, this degree of architectural independence feels almost anachronistic (in the best possible sense).

Other Native Software

Along with the core note-taking and reading/digest functionality, Supernote devices offer a few other useful apps.

Word/Text App

Supernote provide an app for creating and editing Word documents and other text files.

Since the introduction of textboxes in the native note-taking app, this particular app has perhaps become less useful, nonetheless it remains as an option for text-based editing.

Text can be inputted via the virtual keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard. As previously mentioned there is a slight perceivable lag that may be off-putting for some users – it performs okay (its certainly not unusable) but the lag is noticeable. Also, as discussed earlier, you can use the writing canvas on the virtual keyboard to write words, which will then be converted to text and added to the document. An additional option is to switch to ‘Writing Mode‘ where you can write directly on the canvas, then tap a button on the toolbar to convert it to text.

There are no formatting buttons on the toolbar – it is very much a text editor rather than a Word Processor – but there are several stylus-based shortvuts you can use in ‘Writing Mode‘, such as drawing a vertical line between text to create a line break, or drawing a horizontal line through text to delete it.

Overall, its very bare-bones, although the ability to create and edit basic text documents through writing and pen-gestures may be a useful feature for some users.

Calendar

The Calendar app offers monthly, weekly, and daily views.

In the monthly and weekly layouts, I can write directly onto the calendar using the stylus. This allows me to annotate schedules organically, almost as if I were writing in a paper planner. However, the daily view supports only text-based events. These events include start and end times, and are visible in the monthly and weekly overviews. In the monthly and weekly views, there are also shortcuts to any new notebooks that you created on the particular day.

The Calendar can synchronise with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. It is important to stress that only text-based events are synchronised. Handwritten annotations remain local to the device and cannot be backed up independently. There is currently no mechanism to export or preserve those handwritten calendar notes, which feels like an oversight.

Despite this limitation, I use the Calendar frequently. At the beginning of each day, I plan tasks in the daily view. At the start of each month, I sketch a provisional schedule directly onto the monthly calendar. In the weekly view, I sometimes log what I have actually accomplished. The integration with the note-taking app is particularly useful: I can write down an event in a notebook, lasso-select it, and add it to the Calendar. The system automatically converts my handwriting into text and inserts it as a scheduled item.

To-Do List

The To-Do app is straightforward but effective. I can create task lists and categorise them for organisational clarity.

As with the Calendar, it integrates with the note-taking app. I can write a task in a notebook, lasso-select it, and convert it directly into a task. The handwriting is recognised and converted into text automatically. This reduces friction between planning and execution. I appreciate that I do not have to retype what I have already written.

Atelier

Atelier is Supernote’s dedicated drawing and sketching application. Structurally it resembles the note-taking app but is significantly more expansive in its artistic tooling.

It supports layers and a far broader range of brushes:

• Seven pencil types
• Five ink pen types
• Three marker types
• Two spray tools

There are also additional grayscale gradations for shading.

Sketches created in Atelier can be exported as PNG files, either with a white background or a transparent one.

I should be candid: I do not do much drawing. Consequently, I have not used Atelier extensively enough to offer a substantive critique. It is clearly designed with illustrators in mind, but my own usage remains limited.

Email Client

Supernote includes a built-in email client. It supports Gmail, Outlook, and other IMAP mailboxes. Functionally, it is very basic. It allows message reading and composition, but the experience is minimalist.

Given the slight latency of the on-screen keyboard and the monochrome e-ink display, I would not personally choose to compose long emails here. That said, for reading messages or sending brief replies, it is adequate.

Web Browser

There is also a rudimentary web browser. It is not launched via a standalone icon. Instead, it opens when I tap a web link I have created within a notebook.

The browser is capable of rendering simple websites, but it struggles with complex layouts. Performance is slow, and navigation can feel cumbersome. I would not recommend using it for regular browsing. It functions more as a utility for quick reference than as a primary internet tool.

Kindle App

Supernote allows installation of the Amazon Kindle app (via manual APK installation). This provides access to one’s Kindle library within the native Kindle environment.

However, obviously handwritten annotations are not supported inside the Kindle app itself. Additionally, older Supernote models running Android 8.1 or lower are no longer compatible with the Kindle app, as Amazon has discontinued support for those Android versions. This is worth noting for anyone considering a second-hand device.

Ink Flow

Ink Flow allows the Supernote to function as an input device when connected to a computer – essentially similar to a graphics tablet. Again, as someone who does not draw extensively, I have limited experience with this feature and cannot offer a detailed evaluation.

Third-Party Apps

Because Supernote runs atop Android, third-party applications can technically be installed via APK sideloading but there is no Google Play Store integration.

While this flexibility exists, I would hesitate to recommend it unless absolutely necessary. Supernote devices are not optimised for general Android app usage. Many third-party applications are poorly suited to e-ink displays, in general, and Supernote does not provide extensive performance optimisation layers for them that are available with e-ink tablets from other brands.

If one’s primary goal is to run a wide array of Android applications on e-ink hardware, other manufacturers that prioritise a more comprehensive Android experience would likely be more appropriate.

Overall Impression

The additional native apps reinforce Supernote’s central ethos: structured productivity over multimedia versatility. The Calendar and To-Do apps integrate intelligently with handwritten workflows. Atelier caters to artists. The email client and browser exist as lightweight utilities rather than full replacements for traditional devices.

None of these applications attempt to transform the Supernote into a general-purpose tablet. Instead, they extend its core identity: a focused, distraction-minimised instrument for writing, reading, and organising knowledge.

Final Verdict

My overall assessment of the Supernote firmware is clear: this is a device built with intellectual work in mind.

It is not the fastest e-ink platform I have used. It is not the most visually flamboyant. Its reading app is competent rather than luxurious. Its browser and email client are deliberately rudimentary. It does not attempt to be an Android playground. If your ambition is to install a wide range of third-party applications and treat an e-ink tablet like a muted LCD device, this is not the correct choice.

But that is precisely the point.

Supernote’s strength lies in structural coherence. The operating system is transparent. Notebooks exist as tangible files. Synchronisation can be as simple or as sovereign as you choose – ranging from mainstream cloud providers to a fully self-hosted personal server. Handwriting recognition and search work locally. There are no feature paywalls. There is no subscription dependency. The system is architected around longevity and user control.

The native note-taking app is exceptionally well conceived for long-form, structured work. Headings, keywords, stars, linking, and layers (in standard notebooks) make it possible to build genuinely complex handwritten knowledge systems without losing navigability, and global handwriting search makes locating previous notes a cinch. The Digest feature elevates the reading experience from passive consumption to active curation. It is one of the most academically useful implementations I have encountered on any e-ink device.

There are compromises. Dictionary support is absent. The virtual keyboard carries a slight latency. Handwritten calendar annotations cannot be backed up independently. None of these are fatal flaws, but they are real.

And yet, despite having tested many devices, I personally use the Supernote Manta as my daily driver.

I choose it because it respects my workflow. It does not attempt to distract me. It does not impose subscription tiers. It does not hide my notebooks inside an inaccessible vault. It is clean and intuitive, yet extremely powerful. It simply functions as a disciplined, reliable instrument for thinking, writing, and organising information.

For casual reading or multimedia versatility, there may be more feature-rich options. For structured intellectual work – particularly for students, researchers, academics, or anyone building a long-term handwritten knowledge base – the Supernote remains one of the most thoughtfully engineered platforms available.

It is not designed to be everything – it is designed to be serious.

Firmware Overview

Reviews of Older Versions of Supernote Firmware

My rating	Firmware version	Tablets using this firmware
	3.26 (current version) Dec 2025	Supernote A5 X2 Manta Supernote A6 X2 Nomad Supernote A5 X Supernote A6 X
	3.25 Nov 2025
	3.24 Sep 2025
	3.23 Apr 2025
	2.21 Apr 2025
	3.22 Feb 2025
	2.20 Feb 2025
	3.20 Aug 2024
	3.18.29 Aug 2024
	2.18 Aug 2024
	2.16.29 Aug 2024

Supernote E-Ink Tablets

My rating	Item	Description
	Supernote A5 X2 Manta*	10.7" monochrome
	Supernote A6 X2 Nomad*	7.8" monochrome
	Supernote A5 X*	10.3" monochrome
	Supernote A6 X*	7.8" monochrome