Sync your notes across devices

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description: How to sync your Obsidian notes across devices and platforms.
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Obsidian stores notes locally on your device so you always have access to them, even offline. To access your notes on multiple devices you need to set up a sync method.

This guide covers common sync methods, including tips to avoid data loss and ensure a smooth experience.

We also recommend reading our backup guide to protect your data.

Syncing methods

With Obsidian your data is simply stored as files in a folder called a vault. This means there are many ways to sync your data.

These are a few commonly used sync methods reported by members of the Obsidian community:

1. First-party sync: Obsidian Sync
2. Third-party cloud sync: iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive
3. Local sync: Syncthing
4. Version control: Git and Working Copy

Dozens of alternative syncing options can be found in the Community plugins directory.

Obsidian Sync

Recommended systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

The most straightforward and officially supported sync method is our first-party solution: Obsidian Sync.

Obsidian Sync keeps your vaults synced across all devices by using an off-site remote vault to make copies of your data. A local copy remains on your devices at all times.

Follow the setup guide to configure Obsidian Sync.

iCloud

Recommended systems: macOS, iOS, iPadOS

iCloud can be used to sync vaults between iOS and macOS. However, iCloud Drive on Windows may lead to file duplication or corruption.

How to create and store your vault in iCloud Drive:

• Enable iCloud Drive:

• On macOS: Go to System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Drive.

  • On iOS: Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Drive.

• Create a new vault in iCloud:

• On macOS:

1. Open Obsidian and select Create new vault.
   2. In the file picker, navigate to iCloud Drive → Obsidian.
   3. Create a folder for your vault and name it.
   4. Select Create to finish.

• On iOS:

1. Open Obsidian and tap Create new vault.
   2. Enter a name for your vault.
   3. Toggle on Store in iCloud.
   4. Tap Create.

• Keep the vault folder downloaded (optional, but strongly recommended to keep load times fast):

• On macOS 15 (Sequoia) and later: Right-click the Obsidian folder in iCloud Drive and select Keep Downloaded.

  • On macOS 14 (Sonoma) and earlier: Disable Optimize Mac Storage in iCloud settings. This setting affects all iCloud storage on the device, not just Obsidian.

• Open the vault on another Apple device:

• On another macOS or iOS device, open Obsidian, go to the Vault switcher, and select Open folder as vault. Navigate to iCloud Drive → Obsidian.

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OneDrive

Recommended systems: Windows, macOS (limited functionality on Android)

OneDrive is a popular cloud storage option for Windows and macOS users. However, it has limitations on Android and isn't officially supported for syncing Obsidian vaults on iOS.

Keep files available offline

Before using OneDrive for syncing, ensure that your vault folder is marked as Always keep on this device. This prevents OneDrive from offloading files and causing Obsidian to think they are missing.

How to create and store your vault in OneDrive:

1. Set up OneDrive:

• On Windows: Sign in through the OneDrive app or your Microsoft account.
  • On macOS: Download the OneDrive app and sign in.

2. Create a new vault in OneDrive:

• On Windows/macOS:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and navigate to OneDrive → Documents.
   2. Create a new folder (e.g., "Obsidian Vault").
   3. Open Obsidian, select Create new vault, and select the OneDrive folder.
2. Open the vault on another device:

• On another device, open Obsidian, go to the Vault switcher, and select Open folder as vault. Navigate to OneDrive → Documents.

Google Drive

Recommended systems: Windows, macOS, Android (limited functionality on iOS)

Google Drive is another popular cloud storage solution. Although it's not officially supported for syncing Obsidian vaults, you can use third-party apps and plugins to sync across devices.

How to create and store your vault in Google Drive:

1. Set up Google Drive:

• On Windows or macOS: Download the Google Drive app and sign in.
  • On Android: Ensure Google Drive is enabled and signed in.

2. Create a new vault in Google Drive:

• On Windows/macOS:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) and navigate to Google Drive.
   2. Create a new folder (e.g., "Obsidian Vault").
   3. Open Obsidian, select Create new vault, and select the Google Drive folder.
2. Open the vault on another device:

• On another device, open Obsidian, go to the Vault switcher, and select Open folder as vault. Navigate to your Google Drive folder.

Syncthing

Recommended systems: Windows, macOS, Linux

Syncthing is a decentralized file synchronization tool that doesn't rely on cloud storage. It syncs your vault directly between devices over the network or internet.

How to create and store your vault using Syncthing:

1. Set up Syncthing:

• Install Syncthing on each device. Refer to the Syncthing website for installation guides.

2. Create and configure a shared folder:

• On all devices:

1. Open Syncthing and create a shared folder. Set the folder path to your Obsidian vault.
   2. Ensure the same folder is selected on all devices.
   3. Configure folder syncing preferences (e.g., Send & Receive for bidirectional syncing).
2. Open the vault in Obsidian:

• Once the folder is synced across devices, open Obsidian, go to the Vault switcher, and select Open folder as vault.

Git

Recommended systems: Windows, macOS, Linux

Git is a version control system that allows you to track changes, collaborate with others, and sync your vaults through repositories like GitHub, GitLab, or a self-hosted server.

How to sync your vault using Git:

1. Set up a remote repository:

• Create a repository on a Git hosting platform (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, or a self-hosted server).

2. Sync your vault:
   1. Open a terminal or Git GUI (e.g., GitKraken, Sourcetree).
   2. Initialize a Git repository in your vault folder using git init.
   3. Add the remote repository: git remote add origin [URL].
   4. Commit your changes: git add . and git commit -m \"Your message\".
   5. Push the changes: git push origin main.
3. Pull changes on other devices:
   • Clone the repository on another device and pull changes using git pull origin main.

iPhone and iPad syncing

Recommended options:

• Obsidian Sync
• iCloud

Avoid mixing sync services

Avoid syncing the same vault across multiple services (e.g., using both Obsidian Sync and iCloud simultaneously) to prevent data conflicts or corruption.

Working Copy

Recommended systems: iOS

Requires: Git

Working Copy is a Git client for iOS that allows you to clone, commit, and push changes to a Git repository. It works well for syncing Obsidian vaults via Git, though some features require a paid in-app purchase.

How to sync your vault using Working Copy:

1. Install Working Copy:
   • Download the Working Copy app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Clone your Git repository:
   • Open Working Copy, tap Add Repository, and enter your repository URL (e.g., GitHub, GitLab).
3. Link repository to Obsidian:
   • Link the cloned repository folder to an empty vault in Obsidian.
4. Commit and push changes:
   • After editing notes in Obsidian, use Working Copy to Commit and Push changes to the remote repository.
   • On other devices, pull changes using Git to sync the vault.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my preferred syncing service not officially supported?

Unlike some note-taking apps that access one file at a time, Obsidian requires access to the entire vault for its features (e.g., updating links when renaming a file). This makes it difficult for some services to function reliably with Obsidian.

Why do I need to keep files "Available Offline"?

If services like OneDrive or iCloud offload files (e.g., using Files On-Demand or Optimize Mac Storage), Obsidian can't access them, causing sync issues. Mark your vault folder as Always keep on this device (OneDrive) or ensure Keep Downloaded is enabled (iCloud).

How do I manage different configurations for my vaults?

Obsidian allows you to customize the configuration folder per device using the Config folders feature.