reMarkable Paper Pro Runs Android 13 in Impressive Experiment, Unlocking Apps, Browser Support, and Bluetooth Keyboards
The reMarkable Paper Pro is known for one very specific promise: a calm, paper-like writing experience without the distractions of a typical tablet. Released in 2024, the color ePaper device ships with a custom Linux-based operating system designed around note-taking, sketching, reading documents, and staying focused.
But one creator has shown that the hardware is capable of much more.
YouTuber Chalid Raqami has successfully ported Android 13 to the reMarkable Paper Pro, transforming the minimalist digital notebook into a far more flexible ePaper tablet. The project opens the door to third-party Android apps, web browsing, Bluetooth accessories, and expanded stylus support, all while keeping the original reMarkable operating system intact.
At first, the Android experience on the reMarkable Paper Pro was reportedly slow. That was not surprising, given the device’s modest internals, including 2GB of RAM and a processor built around four Cortex-A53 cores. The Paper Pro was never designed to behave like a traditional Android tablet, so getting Android to run smoothly required extra work.
After several optimizations, however, the experience improved significantly. Raqami managed to get key features working, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Battery behavior was also improved, with the tablet reportedly reaching up to 300 hours of standby time on a single charge.
The biggest benefit of Android on the reMarkable Paper Pro is app support. With Android 13 running on the device, users can install popular apps such as Kindle and Microsoft OneNote, making the tablet more useful for reading, writing, organizing notes, and syncing content across platforms.
A web browser also becomes possible, which is a major upgrade for anyone who wants occasional internet access on an ePaper display. While the reMarkable Paper Pro is built around distraction-free productivity, having the option to browse the web can make it far more practical for research, document access, and cloud-based tools.
Bluetooth accessory support is another major improvement. Raqami was able to connect Bluetooth devices such as keyboards, giving the Paper Pro a more laptop-like workflow for writing and editing. This is especially interesting because the official keyboard folio for the device is a costly accessory, so broader Bluetooth keyboard compatibility could be a meaningful advantage for users who already own a keyboard.
Stylus support was also improved through a custom low-latency pen mode. This allows the reMarkable stylus to work more naturally inside Android apps that support pen input. Low latency is essential on an ePaper writing device because any noticeable delay can make handwriting feel awkward. Raqami said his solution was inspired by stylus systems used on Android-powered eReaders and ePaper tablets.
The low-latency pen mode can be enabled from a button in the navigation bar, making it easy to switch on when needed. That means Android apps can become more useful for handwriting, drawing, annotations, and note-taking, rather than being limited to touch input alone.
One of the most impressive parts of the project is that installing Android did not require deleting the original reMarkable operating system. Raqami says he can switch between Android and the default system in under a minute. This makes the experiment especially appealing because it keeps the original distraction-free reMarkable experience available while adding Android as an optional environment.
That dual-system approach could be the best of both worlds. Users could rely on the standard reMarkable software for focused writing and sketching, then switch to Android when they need Kindle, OneNote, a browser, or Bluetooth keyboard support.
Still, this is not ready for the average user yet. Raqami has not released the installation process publicly because there are still issues to solve. One current problem is that the Android setup can be removed when an update is installed for the original operating system. Until those kinds of issues are fixed, the process remains experimental.
It is unlikely that reMarkable will officially release an Android-powered Paper Pro, since the company’s identity is built around simplicity and focus. There are already many Android ePaper tablets available for users who want a full app ecosystem. However, this project proves that the reMarkable Paper Pro has untapped potential beyond its default software.
For owners who love the Paper Pro hardware but wish it could do more, Android 13 could eventually become a powerful way to expand the device’s usefulness. With access to third-party apps, web browsing, keyboard support, and improved stylus input, the reMarkable Paper Pro becomes much closer to a versatile ePaper productivity tablet while still preserving its original note-taking strengths.
