FeatureRequest: Google Drive support

[seaspeak]

Recently Kobo new firmware officially supports Google Drive (software version 4.37 or higher). Hope to add the feature as for Dropbox.

https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/articles/15335985512983-Add-books-to-your-eReader-using-Google-Drive

[aceflor]

Same here

[Dirk71]

Yes, I also would appreciate Google Drive support, same as it is now for Dropbox.

[heylookltsme]

+1

Thanks for nickelmenu! It rules!

[xdepoorter]

Yes, I also would appreciate Google Drive support, same as it is now for Dropbox.

[Becks-S]

+1 Hugely appreciate NickelMenu and Google Drive support would be the cherry on top! Thank you! :)

[avichou]

i'd love that

[pgaskin]

I really gotta get the release pipeline migrated to GH Actions so I can get this stuff implemented and do another release...

[kingo132]

How to launch Google Drive using nickle menu, it's already there in the system

[imax9000]

There's a symbol _ZN14MoreController11googleDriveEv which may have the same functionality as _ZN14MoreController7dropboxEv, but for Google Drive.

[imax9000]

Can confirm that Google Drive integration works perfectly well on Libra 2, but I had to patch hardcoded device model checks in libnickel.so for the menu item to show up.

[kingo132]

There's a symbol _ZN14MoreController11googleDriveEv which may have the same functionality as _ZN14MoreController7dropboxEv, but for Google Drive.

I added this symbol to the code, and the Google setup page appeared. However, we need the URL of googledrive_link_account_start to link the Google Drive account. Since Dropbox used the URL like https://authorize.kobo.com/{region}/{language}/LinkDropbox. So I tried a lot of combos like LinkGoogleDrive, LinkGoogle, LinkDrive, etc. None of them works. We need help with what this link URL is.

[kingo132]

One example of the Dropbox URL is https://authorize.kobo.com/us/en/LinkDropbox. When you try this on the computer, it will show an error, but the URL remains the same and won't be redirected.

However, if you enter a URL like this: https://authorize.kobo.com/us/en/LinkGoogleDrive. It will not just show this error but redirect it to an error URL: https://authorize.kobo.com/Error/. This could indicate the wrong URL component: "LinkGoogleDrive", which means the guess of this URL path is wrong.
According to Kobo's help page, some devices originally supported Google Drive.

Therefore, if someone who owns these devices can share the URL of googledrive_link_account_start inside the "Kobo eReader.conf" file, that would be great.

[ryanplusplus]

Therefore, if someone who owns these devices can share the URL of googledrive_link_account_start inside the "Kobo eReader.conf" file, that would be great.

googledrive_link_account_start=https://authorize.kobo.com/{region}/{language}/linkcloudstorage/provider/google_drive

[kingo132]

Therefore, if someone who owns these devices can share the URL of googledrive_link_account_start inside the "Kobo eReader.conf" file, that would be great.

googledrive_link_account_start=https://authorize.kobo.com/{region}/{language}/linkcloudstorage/provider/google_drive

Thank you so much! I succeeded in adding the Google Drive functionality to my Kobo Clara Colour!

Here is my modified version of NickelMenu; you can use it before the author releases the newest version.
KoboRoot.zip
Unzip it and put it into .kobo folder, and as you know, modify the .kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf

googledrive_link_account_start=https://authorize.kobo.com/{region}/{language}/linkcloudstorage/provider/google_drive
kobo_googledrive_link_account_enabled=True

Then add this to your NickelMenu

menu_item :main    :godrive            :nickel_open        :library   :godrive

All the code I modified is in the action_cc.cc file

Thank you so much for providing this information!

[imax9000]

Also see this pgaskin/kobopatch-patches#139 if you're using kobopatch

[ryanplusplus]

Thank you so much for providing this information!

No problem, I'm glad I could help! Thanks for making that build!

[heylookltsme]

This is awesome, thanks for sharing!

@kingo132 Could you open a pull request for your updates? 🙏🏻

[Krabbis07]

Therefore, if someone who owns these devices can share the URL of googledrive_link_account_start inside the "Kobo eReader.conf" file, that would be great.

googledrive_link_account_start=https://authorize.kobo.com/{region}/{language}/linkcloudstorage/provider/google_drive

Thank you so much! I succeeded in adding the Google Drive functionality to my Kobo Clara Colour! Here is my modified version of NickelMenu; you can use it before the author releases the newest version. KoboRoot.zip Unzip it and put it into .kobo folder, and as you know, modify the .kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf

googledrive_link_account_start=https://authorize.kobo.com/{region}/{language}/linkcloudstorage/provider/google_drive
kobo_googledrive_link_account_enabled=True

Then add this to your NickelMenu

menu_item :main    :godrive            :nickel_open        :library   :godrive

All the code I modified is in the action_cc.cc file

Thank you so much for providing this information!

Hi, new to github and dealing with code, so was wondering if you could provide some clarification about how you enabled google drive?

I managed successfully with Dropbox and did the same steps with the information you provided for Google Drive i.e. edited the Kobo eReader.conf and added menu item to the nickelmenu. However, when I try to open it on my Kobo I get the following popup "unknown view 'godrive' (in 'library:godrive') (check failed: sym_f)

The only missing piece I can think of is what was mentioned earlier as "a symbol" _ZN14MoreController11googleDriveEv
which I think is related to your modified code in the action_cc.cc file screenshot. Is this something I need to edit too/something that was included in your modified KoboRoot file and not in the original?

Will I need to uninstall my nickelmenu and install your modified version instead, or can I edit it on my end? (I however can't find a file in my kobo's folders called action_cc.cc to edit!)

Any guidance is appreciated! 🙏🏼

[brianpipa]

@Krabbis07 sounds like you didn't install the modified Nickelmenu - look at the last comment by kingo132 - he has a link to a KoboRoot.zip - install that Nickelmenu update then it will work. I did it the other day on my Kobo mini running Kobo Glo firmware (4.38) and it worked beautifully

[Dirk71]

The above mentioned KoboRoot.zip for the updated NickleMenu doesn't work. I have installed it and still the "godrive" isn't known by NickleMenu - I get a failure message.....unknown view 'godrive' (in libary:godrive')

My firmware: 4.38.23038 on Kobo Libra 2

[niceguysean]

I have tried and failed miserably to install this on my partners Kobo Clara Color. Followed the instructions above, Unzip and installed KoboRoot.zip and put it into .kobo folder, and modified the .kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf, but Nickelmenu does not show up when I reboot the device.
Kobo Clara Color 4.40.23081
Any help gratefully recieved.

[Fatima-Fatehullah]

Im so lost I tried everything but its showing up as godrive is unavailable. Also I'm new to this so can anyone tell me how to update nicklemenu. I have a clara 2e and I just want to add google drive to it. any help is appreciated.

[arcanemuse]

Thank you for that modified nickel menu. I have Google Drive now on my old Aura H2O. Works great!

[a62632]

@niceguysean Did you put the unzipped KoboRoot folder in .kobo or the KoboRoot.tgz file? If you happened to put the folder, try putting just the KoboRoot.tgz file into the .kobo folder instead.

[JMLucas96]

Hi, any updates on this? How can I put NM in my kobo libra 2 and google drive patch? I'm new on that thread...
Thank you very much!! 🙏

[TomasHurtz]

Hi there - here is some help for those who need it (added Dec 27th 2024). If you are a beginner, this might seem a bit daunting but actually it is very easy - stick with it and you'll have Google Drive enabled in no time!

I have Kobo Clara Color and wanted to get Google Drive functional:

On your PC (or mac) follow the steps below. Note: I recommend you use Notepad++ a free utility to edit the files

1. Download the KoboRoot.zip to your computer (Note: this file is linked from the one above from kingo132 - I am not sure if there is a new Master from @pgaskin - if there is, perhaps it could be added below, thanks ). Now go find the downloaded KoboRoot.zip folder, unzip that downloaded folder and inside you should be able to see a file called KoboRoot.tgz

2. Connect your Kobo via USB to the computer and go find it on your computer folder list of drives. Now move the .tgz folder from step 1, to your E:**.kobo** folder (your drive letter might be different). Note the ".kobo" folder is in the root directory, next to another folder called .kobo-images. Now disconnect the Kobo from the computer (Windows eject function is recommended) and then unplug the USB cable from the Kobo device - the Kobo device should automatically reboot itself and load the new tgz config. Wait ~1 minute and once it has rebooted, you should see the NickelMenu next to your other menu items at the bottom right. If not, you've done something wrong and will have to try again!

3. Now we will configure the Google Drive menu item. Connect your Kobo device via USB to the computer again and go find it on your computer folder list of drives. Then open the file (using notepad++) located at: E:.kobo\Kobo\Kobo eReader.conf

We need to modify some lines as follows:

• Find:
  googledrive_link_account_start=

• and replace with :
  googledrive_link_account_start=https://authorize.kobo.com/{region}/{language}/linkcloudstorage/provider/google_drive

• Scroll down a few lines and find
  kobo_googledrive_link_account_enabled=False

• and change to
  kobo_googledrive_link_account_enabled=True

Save that file

4. Now navigate back up to the Kobo eReader root directory folder again - there should be a new folder called ".adds" - click into that and then into "nm" and you'll see a file called "doc" - this is a help file, read it if you're curious and want to see all the possible commands to use.

5. In this nm folder, we need to make a new TXT file to hold the menu items for our new NickelMenu. You can call it what you like, for example "command.TXT" - the extension doesn't matter. I made my new file as a TXT document, using Notepad ++ and in this new file, add these lines:

# Add a comment in the file, like this using the hash at the front
# Menu items for the NickelMenu
# Created on [add your date]
# help article here: https://github.com/pgaskin/NickelMenu/issues/143#issuecomment-2563299861

menu_item :main    :Google Drive  :nickel_open   :library   :godrive

# A few extra quick access commands - you can take these or leave these as you wish
menu_item :main     :Sleep              :power :sleep
menu_item :main     :Shutdown           :power :shutdown
menu_item :main     :Reboot             :power :reboot

These will all appear in the NickelMenu (You can see more example commands in the "doc" help file.)

6. Save the new "command.txt" file in the nm folder and then disconnect the Kobo device from your computer and disconnect the USB cable, and you should now see the new menu items under the NickelMenu. If you like you can reboot the device using your new NickelMenu option :-)

7. Open up the Google Drive item and wait a moment for it to connect (you need to be connected to wifi). You should then be presented with a screen from Google Drive with "get started" - simply follow the instructions to complete the login connection (you will also need to use your computer or phone to complete the pairing using the presented code to confirm authorisation).

Once you complete this part, Google Drive folder should now appear on your Kobo device as a folder. You can then add eBooks epubs and pdfs - what you like - to you Google Drive folder (e.g. using your phone or computer) and then easily access them, read and save them on your Kobo device!

Troubleshooting:

1. If you don't see the NickelMenu after step 1, you'll need to go through that step again.
2. If after adding the new menus and items, and then opening up the Google Drive connection - if you don't see the Google Drive logo and Get Started screen, check you have followed all the steps (especially step3) and that you are connected to a decent wifi network.

This has been tested on several separate devices - and it works fine ! This feature should really be available on the native device, I guess Kobo wanted us to buy the more expensive Libre!

Credits: thanks to all of the above authors who provided the good intel, i just composed it into a easy to follow instruction. Please comment if this helped you, or if you ran into troubles?

[davidoclubb]

Can confirm this works perfectly for the Kobo Libra H20. Thankyou everybody who contributed 🙏

[Smog418]

@TomasHurtz :

Hi!

Is it supposed to work with the old Kobo Touch? I tried and everything worked, until I tried to connect to the google drive, it no longer detects wifi. I see wifi networks, but I get an error message when I try to connect to them.