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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How to read and listen with Walmart eBooks depends on the Kobo account and device behind the original purchase: use the Kobo Books app for eBooks and audiobooks, Kobo Desktop for eBooks, or a supported Kobo eReader. For old Walmart purchases, sign in to the associated Kobo account and sync; missing libraries require Kobo support because no universal migration rule is verified.
Walmart eBooks began as a Walmart–Rakuten Kobo partnership announced in 2018. The Walmart-branded instructions found in older tutorials may no longer match the current Kobo-based workflow, so device support and account status matter.
Key takeaways
- Walmart eBooks began as a Walmart–Rakuten Kobo partnership announced in 2018, with books and audiobooks available through Kobo apps and eReaders.
- Current Kobo eBooks can be read in the Kobo Books app, Kobo Desktop, or a supported Kobo eReader.
- Current Kobo audiobooks can be played in the Kobo Books app and on select Kobo eReaders with Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker.
- Kobo Desktop supports eBook reading but does not play audiobooks.
- Kobo’s iOS app does not support in-app purchases, so iPhone and iPad users must purchase through Kobo’s supported web or account flow.
- The exact end date of the Walmart-branded service and a universal migration process for every legacy Walmart eBooks account have not been established by a primary official source.
What is Walmart eBooks now?
Walmart eBooks was Walmart’s digital-book partnership with Rakuten Kobo, not a separate long-term reading platform with its own current ecosystem. Walmart announced the service in 2018, offering eBooks and audiobooks through a Walmart/Kobo co-branded experience, Kobo applications, and Kobo eReaders. The current reading and listening instructions come from Rakuten Kobo.
Walmart’s launch announcement described a catalog of “more than six million titles.” That was a launch-era figure from 2018, not a verified current catalog count; readers should not use it to estimate the size of Kobo’s present-day catalog. The original partnership and launch features are documented in Walmart’s 2018 announcement of Walmart eBooks by Rakuten Kobo.
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- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you – 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
How do I access my old Walmart eBooks?
To access old Walmart eBooks, try signing in to the current Kobo service with the Kobo account associated with the original purchase, then sync the Kobo Books app or eReader. If the library is missing, contact Kobo support rather than assuming that every Walmart login, old app, or historical purchase transferred unchanged.
- Open the current Kobo Books app or visit Kobo’s supported account and purchase service.
- Sign in with the Kobo account connected to the Walmart-era purchase.
- On a Kobo eReader or in the app, run a sync.
- Check the library for the purchased title.
- If the title is absent, verify that you used the correct email address and contact Kobo support with the original purchase information.
The available evidence does not establish one exact date when the Walmart–Kobo co-branded service ended, and it does not establish a universal migration sequence for every legacy account. A missing library may therefore require account-specific support. Do not delete an old account or assume that creating a new Kobo account will recover earlier purchases.
What app do I use for Walmart eBooks now?
Use the Kobo Books app for reading eBooks and listening to audiobooks on a supported iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or tablet. Kobo also supports eBook reading through Kobo Desktop on a PC or Mac and through supported Kobo eReaders. Kobo’s current help documentation confirms that “You can read eBooks on your Kobo eReader, Kobo Books app, and Kobo Desktop app.”
For current installation and playback guidance, see Kobo’s instructions for reading an eBook or listening to an audiobook.
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| Reading or listening route | eBooks | Audiobooks | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobo Books app on iOS or Android | Yes | Yes | iOS does not support in-app Kobo purchases. |
| Kobo Desktop on PC or Mac | Yes | No | Kobo Desktop is for reading eBooks, not audiobook playback. |
| Supported Kobo eReader | Yes | Select models only | Audiobooks require Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker. |
How do I buy Walmart eBooks and audiobooks?
For current purchases, use Kobo’s supported web or account purchase flow, then sync the Kobo Books app or a compatible eReader. Kobo documents the purchase-and-sync process in its current guide to buying eBooks and audiobooks on Kobo.com.
Rank #2
- Light and compact - With adjustable brightness, high contrast ratio, and fast page turns.
- Effortless reading in any light - Read comfortably with a 6“ glare-free display, adjustable front light—now 25% brighter at max setting—and dark mode.
- Escape into your books - Tune out messages, emails, and social media with a distraction-free reading experience.
- Read for a while - Get up to 6 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
- Take your library with you - 16 GB storage holds thousands of books.
iPhone and iPad users cannot buy Kobo books through the Kobo Books iOS app because Kobo says the app does not support in-app purchases under its agreement with Apple. Purchase through Kobo’s supported website or account flow instead, then return to the iOS app and sync the library.
Android users can use the Kobo Books app for reading and listening, but purchase availability and the exact checkout path can change by region and platform. If the app does not show a purchase option, use Kobo’s supported web account flow rather than an old Walmart eBooks page.
Can I listen to Walmart audiobooks?
You can listen to current Kobo audiobooks in the Kobo Books app on iOS or Android. You can also listen on select Kobo eReaders, provided the eReader supports audiobooks and is connected to Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker. Kobo’s official guidance states, “You can listen to audiobooks using the Kobo Books app or on select Kobo eReaders.”
Windows and Mac users should not install Kobo Desktop expecting audiobook playback: Kobo Desktop supports eBook reading but does not play audiobooks. Use the Kobo Books app on a compatible mobile device or a supported Bluetooth-capable Kobo eReader instead.
Which devices work with Walmart eBooks?
The best device depends on whether the library contains only eBooks or also audiobooks. A phone or tablet is the most flexible option for both formats. Kobo Desktop is useful when the goal is reading on a computer. A Kobo eReader is the more specialized choice for distraction-free reading, but audiobook support is limited to selected models.
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- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
| If you want to… | Use this route | Why | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read eBooks on a phone or tablet | Kobo Books app | Supports Kobo eBooks and, on supported devices, audiobooks. | iOS users must purchase outside the app. |
| Read eBooks on a computer | Kobo Desktop | Designed for eBook reading on PC and Mac. | Does not play audiobooks. |
| Read eBooks on a dedicated reader | Supported Kobo eReader | Provides Kobo eBook access without relying on a phone or computer. | Model support must be checked for audiobooks. |
| Read and listen on one dedicated Kobo device | Select Bluetooth-capable Kobo eReader | Supports eBooks and audiobook playback through Bluetooth audio. | Requires compatible headphones or a speaker, and not every Kobo eReader supports audiobooks. |
A Kobo Clara BW eReader is one current Kobo eReader option to compare if you want a dedicated reading device and your model and region support Kobo audiobook playback over Bluetooth. Treat the Clara BW as a current Kobo device, not as a guarantee that every historical Walmart purchase will appear on it. Check the exact model’s current specifications and your Kobo account before buying.
Why can’t I find the Walmart eBooks app?
You may not find the Walmart eBooks app because the current documented reading and listening workflow is Kobo-based rather than centered on an old Walmart-branded app. Search for the Kobo Books app, sign in with the relevant Kobo account, and sync. Do not rely on unofficial downloads of an obsolete app.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11If the Kobo Books app does not show a legacy book, check the account email, confirm that the title was purchased rather than borrowed or downloaded temporarily, and contact Kobo support. Kobo’s documentation also identifies products that are no longer manufactured or supported, so older hardware may need to be checked separately against Kobo’s supported-product information.
What should I do if my old library is missing?
A missing Walmart-era library is an account-support problem, not proof that a new purchase will restore the old books. Work through these checks in order:
- Sign out of the Kobo Books app and sign back in with the email used for the original Walmart/Kobo purchase.
- Sync the app or eReader after signing in.
- Check whether the title is listed in the Kobo account’s library or purchase history.
- Look for regional or account differences if the purchase was made outside the United States.
- Keep receipts, order emails, title information, and old account addresses available for Kobo support.
- Do not promise yourself that every Walmart-branded purchase migrated unchanged; the evidence does not support that universal claim.
Current Walmart pages still offer physical books, audiobooks, and Kobo hardware, but those retail pages do not establish a single migration rule for all older digital purchases. For account-specific help, start with the relevant Walmart Help Center information and Kobo support, depending on where the account or purchase record is located.
Rank #4
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
Is a Kobo eReader worth using for Walmart eBooks?
A Kobo eReader is a sensible choice if the priority is reading Kobo eBooks on a dedicated screen. A Kobo eReader is less straightforward if audiobook playback is essential, because only selected models support audiobooks and those models require Bluetooth audio equipment. A phone or tablet is the safer all-format choice when device compatibility is uncertain.
Before buying hardware, sign in to the current Kobo account and confirm that the older library is present. A new eReader can access supported Kobo purchases after synchronization, but a new device cannot guarantee recovery of a missing or incompatible legacy account.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened to the Walmart-Kobo partnership?
Walmart and Rakuten Kobo publicly announced the Walmart eBooks launch in 2018, including eBooks, audiobooks, Kobo apps, and eReader access. The research available for this article does not provide a primary official announcement with one definitive end date for the Walmart-branded service. Secondary reporting may discuss the partnership’s status, but secondary reporting is not sufficient to state a universal shutdown or migration date as fact.
The practical conclusion is narrower and safer: treat Walmart eBooks by Rakuten Kobo as a historical Walmart-branded experience, use current Kobo tools for reading and listening, and resolve missing legacy purchases through account support rather than through an unverified migration recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my old Walmart eBooks?
To access old Walmart eBooks, sign in to the current Kobo Books app or Kobo account with the email associated with the original purchase, then sync. If the library is missing, verify the account and contact Kobo support; a universal migration process has not been officially established.
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- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Adapts to your surroundings – The auto-adjusting front light lets you read in the brightest sunlight or late into the night.
What app do I use for Walmart eBooks now?
Use the Kobo Books app for eBooks and audiobooks on iOS or Android. Use Kobo Desktop for eBook reading on PC or Mac, or use a supported Kobo eReader. The current workflow is Kobo-based rather than dependent on an old Walmart-branded app.
Can I still listen to Walmart audiobooks?
Yes, current Kobo audiobooks can be played in the Kobo Books app on iOS and Android. Audiobook playback is also available on select Kobo eReaders through Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker.
Why can’t I buy a Kobo book in the iPhone or iPad app?
Kobo’s iOS app does not support in-app purchases. iPhone and iPad users must purchase through Kobo’s supported website or account flow, then return to the Kobo Books app and sync.
The Bottom Line
For current access, use the Kobo Books app, Kobo Desktop for eBooks, or a supported Kobo eReader. Use the Kobo Books app for audiobooks, or a select Bluetooth-capable Kobo eReader with Bluetooth headphones or a speaker. For old Walmart purchases, sign in with the associated Kobo account and sync; if the library is missing, contact Kobo support because no universal migration rule has been verified.
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