I just bought a Kobo Clara Color after purchasing various Kindles for years.

It requires an online setup (account).

A quick search did not find what your saying. Can you please post a how-to or link one (that I couldn't find)?

https://qtekfun.com/random-stuff/bypass-kobo/

This guide is for a kobo that is already set up, but the procedure is mostly the same from step 5 onwards for a new device.

The only step that I think is missing from this guide is that you have to select a language before connecting the Kobo via USB, in my experience. Mass storage mode should work once you have picked a language.

I also did the same on a factory reset, used Libra Color, and that worked well. On that device I had to do some trickery to get the notes feature to work, which I think involved loading up some dictionary files. I can't readily find the guide I followed for that.

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Edit: I'll also note here that this setup works flawlessly with Calibre! It is detected and syncs easily!