Xteink X4 — Getting Started
A practical guide for your first days with the X4. Follow the checklist first — you'll be reading comfortably in under 30 minutes.
2026 Edition · Community guide
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1. What the X4 is (and is not)
The Xteink X4 is a tiny, distraction-free e-reader designed to be a secondary, always-with-you reading device: light, simple, and focused on text.
What it is
- A 4.3" e-ink reader with physical buttons
- A side-loading device for your own EPUBs/TXT files
- A minimalist reading tool that stays out of your way
What it is not
- Not a Kindle or Kobo — no built-in store
- Not a tablet — no touchscreen, no apps
- No front-light — you need external light
2. 15-minute checklist — do this first
Follow this sequence the first time you use your X4. It avoids most of the issues new owners report.
Charge the X4 for at least 30 minutes via USB-C.
Power it on with the power button.
Connect to Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) in Sync → Network Connection.
Run System Update from the Sync menu and wait until it finishes.
Open any book, press OK → Index to rebuild the book index.
Load a known-good EPUB and check that page turns and layout look normal.
3. Charging and powering on
Charging with USB-C
Use any decent USB-C charger or a USB-C port on your computer. The device charges quickly. For the first setup, give it 30 minutes. If anything looks weird (frozen screen, random behavior), plug it in for 10–15 minutes before troubleshooting.
Power and sleep basics
- Long-press the power button to power on or off.
- Short-press to wake from sleep.
- The device uses very little power in sleep — most people leave it on.
4. Connect to Wi-Fi and update the firmware
Keeping the firmware up to date fixes bugs, improves layout, and can add features. Worth doing on day one.
Connect to Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz only)
- Go to Sync → Network Connection.
- Choose your Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz; 5 GHz may not show up).
- Enter your password and wait for the confirmation.
Run System Update
- Go to Sync → System Update.
- Tap Check for updates.
- Start the update and leave the device alone until it reaches 100%.
- The device will reboot as needed. Do not unplug during the update.
Rebuild the index after updating
Open any book, press OK, select Index. This forces a reindex of your library and fixes oddities like strange page breaks or missing entries.
5. Adding your first books
Two methods: microSD (most reliable) and Wi-Fi hotspot (convenient on the go).
Recommended formats
- EPUB — best choice for ebooks
- TXT in UTF-8 encoding
- JPG/BMP images, ideally 480×800 for wallpapers
Method 1 — microSD card (recommended)
- Power off the X4 or put it to sleep.
- Eject the microSD card and insert it into your computer.
- Format as exFAT or FAT32 if new.
- Create simple folders (e.g.
/Books/Fiction). - Copy your EPUB/TXT files, safely eject, re-insert into the X4.
macOS tip: hidden ._ files are harmless; clean with dot_clean if they bother you.
Method 2 — Wi-Fi hotspot
- Go to Sync → Wi-Fi Hotspot and turn it on.
- Connect your phone or laptop to the displayed network.
- Open a browser and go to the IP shown on the X4 (often
192.168.3.3). - Upload EPUB/TXT files via the web page.
6. Reading basics and button map
No touchscreen — everything is controlled with physical buttons. Once you learn the pattern, it's very efficient.
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Left / Right | Previous / next page |
| Up / Down | Navigate menus |
| OK | Confirm / open menu inside a book |
| Back / Home | Go back, exit to main screen |
| Power | Sleep / wake / power off |
Recommended first-time settings (inside a book)
- Font — choose a clean serif or sans-serif
- Font size — start slightly larger than you think; you can reduce later
- Margins — medium margins give the best balance
- Line spacing — try normal or slightly tight
7. Optimising your EPUBs (optional but powerful)
The X4 handles clean EPUBs very well. Problems usually come from messy files. A quick Calibre routine helps:
- Import the book into Calibre.
- Right-click → Edit book.
- Run: Repair book, Beautify all files, Remove unused CSS.
- Save and export the cleaned EPUB.
Especially helpful for older or heavily converted ebooks.
8. Stock firmware vs CrossPoint
Stock firmware
- Works out of the box
- Simple interface, minimal settings
- Officially supported
CrossPoint (community)
- Open-source, created for X3 and X4
- Better EPUB handling, navigation, more options
- Requires flashing — read the docs first
If you're a new owner: use stock for at least a few days first, then decide if you're missing something. Never flash firmware from a random link. → Firmware 101
9. Common issues and quick fixes
Garbled text or strange characters
Make sure TXT files are UTF-8. Try converting to EPUB with Calibre. Rebuild the index.
microSD card not recognised
Check it's formatted as exFAT or FAT32. Try a different card or reader. Avoid extremely large cards with thousands of files.
Device frozen or unresponsive
Plug into power for 10–15 minutes. Long-press power for a hard reset. Remove the microSD card and try again.
Wi-Fi issues
Make sure you're on 2.4 GHz. Move closer to the router. Restart both router and device.
10. How people actually use the X4
Commute companion — Clipped to a phone or carried in a pocket, reading in short bursts.
Secondary reader at home — Used for one specific genre (e.g. non-fiction, articles) while another device handles everything else.
Travel reader — microSD loaded with a reading queue for an entire trip.
If you treat the X4 as a tiny, purpose-built reading tool rather than a general gadget, it feels much more satisfying.
11. Quick FAQ
Can I buy books directly on the X4?
No. You download or create EPUB/TXT files on another device and transfer them.
Does it have a light?
No. You need ambient or lamp light.
Can it sync my position across devices?
Not automatically. You can approximate this manually.
Is the screen good enough for serious reading?
Yes, as long as you're comfortable with a small 4.3" panel designed for portability first.