I don’t think so, I had to go in and do the song and dance with changing a config file. Reposting this comment here for posterity.

1. Delete .kobo/KoboReader.sqlite (if you are already signed in).
2. Restart Kobo
3. DO NOT tap “Set up over wi-fi”. Press the other one and connect it to a computer.
4. Go to .kobo/Kobo/Koboreader.config (or something like that)
5. Open the config file and under [ApplicationPreferences], write on a new line: SideloadedMode=true.
6. If you did not do steps 1 and 2, delete .kobo/KoboReader.sqlite.
7. Eject and restart ereader.
8. Yay! You just bypassed registration!

Not without significant hurdles due to Amazon’s (very intentionally crafted) walled garden. You’re locked in by the file format as well as Amazon’s DRM. If you do anything to bypass this, it’s technically illegal as a violation of the DMCA.

My last eReader purchase was the Kobo Clara 2E and it’s fantastic. I got one for my dad as well. I love the fact that you can use it completely offline and without any account.

Then they announced a partnership with IFixIt, and that cemented for me (barring any changes), that my next eReader will also be another Kobo… though with this partnership I expect that to be a long time down the road.

Only options available to me on the work computer are Chrome and Edge. FWIW, I use Edge, but still I understand the choice between the two.

Good point, I forgot about that news

I mean they’re just resellers of the big guys’ network. I think Mint is a reseller of T-Mobile. Verizon has its own branded reseller labels. It all goes through the big guys’ network anyways so could they even claim that?

I appreciate this rule 🙌

Interestingly, this coating can cause issues for some products like the Apple AirTags. I know this because I used one of these batteries with a bitterest in the AirTag on my keys and the AirTag didn’t work.