Get started with Paper Portrait

Choose your setup path

How you set up depends on the device you're using. Pick your path below — the same free account works everywhere, so you can always switch later.

On an iPhone

Download the Paper Portrait Connect app. You'll create your account and register your device right in the app — no web setup needed.

On Android or a computer

Create a free web account, then register your device from your dashboard in the browser.

Create your web account

1. Register your device

Before you can send content to your eInk display, connect it to Wi-Fi and register it with your account. Follow the steps for your setup path.

On an iPhone

• Open the Paper Portrait Connect app and sign in (or create your account).
• Tap Add device.
• Enter your Wi-Fi network name and password, then hold your iPhone to the back of the Portrait. Your phone passes the Wi-Fi details to the display automatically. Note: only 2.4 GHz or dual-band networks are supported.
• Wait for the device to come online. A 6-digit verification code appears on the display.
• Enter the verification code to confirm ownership.
• Give the device a name (e.g. Kitchen or Office) and tap Register device.

On Android or a computer

• Sign in and open your dashboard.
• Tap Add device.
• On Chrome for Android: enter your Wi-Fi network name and password, then hold your phone to the back of the Portrait. Your phone passes the Wi-Fi details to the display automatically. Note: only 2.4 GHz or dual-band networks are supported.
• On a computer or any other browser: choose Enter code and type the registration code printed on your device. The device must already be connected to Wi-Fi (use the iPhone app or Chrome for Android for first-time Wi-Fi setup).
• Wait for the device to come online. A 6-digit verification code appears on the display.
• Enter the verification code to confirm ownership.
• Give the device a name (e.g. Kitchen or Office) and tap Register device.

2. Show an image

• Open the device from your dashboard.
• Choose Image.
• Pick a photo. Paper Portrait optimizes it for the eInk display.
• Choose Original, Fill width, or Fill height, then send.

Tip: high-contrast images with clear subjects look best on eInk.

3. Show text

• Open the device, choose Text.
• Type your message, then send.

4. Show a QR code

• Open the device, choose QR Code.
• Enter a URL — preview updates live.
• Send it to your Portrait.

5. Schedule live updates

These displays refresh on their own at the interval you pick:

Bible verses

• Choose Bible Verse, pick an interval (1 min to Daily).
• Send. A new verse will appear on schedule.

Clock

• Choose Clock, pick a timezone and a refresh interval.
• Send.

MTA subway & bus

• Choose MTA Updates.
• Search for your stop or line and select it.
• Pick a refresh interval (1 – 30 min).

Stock prices

• Choose Stock Prices.
• Search for a symbol (e.g. AAPL, TSLA) and select it.
• Pick a refresh interval.

Weather

• Choose Weather Updates.
• Search for your city and select it.
• Pick a refresh interval.

6. Manage your devices

• Rename: tap the device name.
• Change icon: tap the device icon.
• Pause / resume: toggle the power switch on the detail page.
• Update Wi-Fi: tap Wi-Fi under Device settings (NFC on Android Chrome).
• Remove: tap Remove device. You can re-register it again later.