The reMarkable Paper Pro can technically run Android, but it’s a hassle

A YouTuber demonstrated the process of converting a reMarkable Paper Pro into an Android device, even though it goes against the tablet's intended purpose. The e-reader market doesn't have many Android options, with Boox being a notable exception. However, reMarkable's tablets run on their own proprietary operating system to keep things clean and minimal.

The reMarkable Paper Pro can run Android 13 with some effort, but the main constraint is hardware. E-paper tablets don't have the same RAM and GPU capabilities as Android devices, as it's unnecessary for monochromatic images at moderate refresh rates. The reMarkable Paper Pro is equipped with an NXP iMX8 Mini and 2GB of RAM, which is sufficient to run Android 13.

Front light control, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth accessories work on the converted device, and navigation controls even function as on an Android phone. The pen can be used with near-stock latency using a dedicated pen mode, and users can switch back to the reMarkable OS quickly if needed. While the refresh rate is a significant issue, other optimizations improved usability.

Android 13 allows for installing apps that aren't supported on reMarkable's tablets, such as e-book libraries like Kindle. However, the process is complicated, and the results are not definitive enough to justify the trade-off for everyone. The reMarkable Paper Pro is designed for minimal distraction, which Android doesn't prioritize.

Currently, there is no official port for the conversion, but it remains a proof of concept for a dual-wielding reMarkable Paper Pro on Android.