If you own an Xteink X4 and want it to behave more like a Kindle, there is a firmware update you can install yourself. The update is called CrossPoint Reader, and it turns the X4’s cluttered screen into something cleaner and easier to read. It is a small trick, but it works.
The Xteink X4 reads EPUB and PDF files, and it ships with a user interface that some owners find awkward. The company behind it has not made a big deal about this, and neither have reviewers. But the device has a hidden feature: it accepts custom firmware. That means anyone with a computer and a USB-C cable can swap out the operating system for something better.
A writer named Joel Cunningham reviewed the X4 for Lifehacker, which shares ownership with Mashable under the parent company Ziff Davis. He pointed readers toward CrossPoint Reader’s firmware as a way to improve the experience. The writer who wrote about this update tried it herself and came back smiling.
What the Xteink X4 Actually Is
The Xteink X4 is a small e-reader. It is designed to hold EPUB and PDF files, which means it is aimed at people who collect free books rather than those who buy them from a store. The screen is small enough to fit in a pocket.
Most e-readers, like the Kobo and the Kindle, are locked down. That is not the case with Xteink. The company ships its devices with a design that allows firmware changes, and that openness has made the X4 popular with programmers who want to customize their devices.
The update does not add new features to the X4. It does not make the screen brighter. What it does is clean up the interface. The writer said she loved her X4 a little bit more after the update. That is a modest claim, but it is also an honest one. The X4 is still the same device, but it feels better to use.
Why the Stock Firmware Fails
The stock firmware on the X4 is not terrible, but it is not great either. The writer who tested it found that the interface was the kind of thing that drove her to look for a solution.
The problem is not the hardware. The problem is the software that runs on top of it. A better interface could fix the X4’s reputation overnight.
The CrossPoint Reader Update
CrossPoint Reader is a third-party firmware project that targets Xteink devices. It is not made by Xteink, but it is compatible with the X4. The update replaces the stock operating system with a cleaner interface that is easier to navigate. The writer who tested it described the result as being “reminiscent of the Kindle experience.”
The installation process is simple. You download the firmware from CrossPoint Reader’s website, connect your X4 to a computer via USB-C, and flash the update onto the device. There is no special equipment required, and no technical knowledge beyond following a few steps.
How to Install the Firmware
The writer broke the installation down into four steps. Each step takes only a minute or two, and the whole process should take five minutes from start to finish.
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Navigate to the ‘Flash Firmware’ option | Quick |
| Select your Xteink e-reader model | Quick |
| Choose the CrossPoint 1.6.0 firmware option | Quick |
| Connect via USB-C and flash the firmware | Quick |
The first step is to visit CrossPoint Reader’s website. You will see a ‘Get CrossPoint’ option with a dropdown menu. Inside that menu, you select ‘Flash Firmware.’ That opens the page where you pick your device.
The second step is to select your Xteink e-reader model from the list of options. The X4 is listed alongside other Xteink models, and you simply choose the one you own.
The third step is to choose the firmware option you want to flash. The writer recommends the CrossPoint 1.6.0 version, and that is the version she tested. You click on it and proceed to the final step.
The fourth step is to connect your X4 to your computer via USB-C. Then you choose the ‘Flash CrossPoint’ option in your browser. A menu pops up, and you select your connected device. The firmware flashes onto the device, and the update is complete.
What the Update Actually Changes
The update does not add new features to the X4. It does not make the screen brighter. What it does is clean up the interface. The writer said she loved her X4 a little bit more after the update. That is a modest claim, but it is also an honest one. The X4 is still the same device, but it feels better to use.
Who Should Try This
The update is aimed at people who already own an Xteink X4 and who read EPUB and PDF files regularly. If you buy books from a store and want them managed by the X4’s default system, this firmware is not for you. If you collect free books and want a cleaner way to read them, this firmware is exactly what you need.
The installation is simple enough that anyone with a basic understanding of computers can manage it.
Final Word
The Xteink X4 is a small e-reader with a big problem: its interface. The problem is software, not hardware, and the software can be fixed. CrossPoint Reader’s firmware is the fix, and it is available to anyone who wants it.
The installation is simple, and the result is a cleaner reading experience. If you own an X4 and you want it to feel more like a Kindle, this is the path to take.
Source material: “Want your Xteink X4 to feel more like a Kindle? Download this firmware.,” Mashable.
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