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Flash guide · Method 3 of 5

Unlock a Locked Xteink X4 or X3 (OTA Unlocker)

~10 min Easy Locked X3 & X4

The OTA Unlocker installs CrossPoint or CrossInk on a locked Xteink X4 or X3 over WiFi. No USB, and it's the recommended first step for locked X4 owners: your computer serves the update, and the device installs it like any normal system update.

YouTube tutorial: Cómo instalar CrossPoint en Xteink X4/X3 — 6,700+ views
Community tutorial (6,700+ views): watch on YouTube

What the OTA Unlocker does

The OTA Unlocker turns your computer into a local WiFi hotspot. When the Xteink checks for updates over WiFi, it connects to your hotspot instead of Xteink's servers and receives CrossPoint or CrossInk. The device installs it as a normal OTA update.

Only CrossPoint and CrossInk install this way

Papyrix and other firmware cannot be installed on locked units via the OTA Unlocker.

Already unlocked? You don't need the Unlocker. Settings → System → Check for updates pulls the latest GitHub release automatically.

Unlock your Xteink in 3 steps

Three steps, about ten minutes. Your computer does most of the work.

  1. Download the CrossPoint OTA Unlocker

    Get it for macOS, Windows, Linux, or Raspberry Pi from crosspointreader.com/unlocker.

  2. Run the Unlocker on your computer

    It creates a local WiFi hotspot.

  3. Connect the Xteink and trigger an update

    On the device, join that hotspot via Settings → WiFi, then trigger a system update.

USB flashing stays locked. The Unlocker does NOT re-enable USB flashing. You'll flash future firmware via the in-app SD update path, or by re-running the Unlocker.

CrossPoint installed? Load your books next

The unlock was the hard part. Now send your library over with Calibre or OPDS, then add custom fonts, themes and sleep screens.

Load your books Make it yours: fonts & themes

OTA Unlocker troubleshooting

The common OTA Unlocker failures, and what fixes each one:

Device can't see or connect to the hotspot
Disable your computer's firewall temporarily, or add an exception for the Unlocker app. Make sure the device's WiFi is enabled.
Update check fails / stays on stock
The Unlocker must be running, with its hotspot active, before you trigger the update check. Try again from Settings → System → Check for updates.
Only CrossPoint and CrossInk are available, not Papyrix
By design. Locked units can only receive CrossPoint and CrossInk via this method. Once CrossPoint is installed, use its in-app SD update to install other firmware.
Hotspot appears but device can't download
Move the Xteink closer to your computer, and check that no VPN is running on the computer during the process.

Still stuck, or hit a different error? Browse every fix in the Xteink firmware help & FAQ, searchable by problem.