# Sync your notes across devices

```yaml
aliases:
  - Sync your notes across devices
  - getting-started/sync-your-notes-across-devices
cssclasses:
  - soft-embed
description: How to sync your Obsidian notes across devices and platforms.
mobile: true
permalink: sync-notes
publish: true
```

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](/content/help/backup/index.html) to protect your data.

## Syncing methods

With Obsidian your data is simply stored as files in a folder called a [vault](/content/help/sync/vault-types/index.html). 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](/content/help/sync-notes#Obsidian%20Sync/index.html)
2. **Third-party cloud sync**: [iCloud](/content/help/sync-notes#iCloud/index.html), [OneDrive](/content/help/sync-notes#OneDrive/index.html), and [Google Drive](/content/help/sync-notes#Google%20Drive/index.html)
3. **Local sync**: [Syncthing](/content/help/sync-notes#Syncthing/index.html)
4. **Version control**: [Git](/content/help/sync-notes#Git/index.html) and [Working Copy](/content/help/sync-notes#Working%20Copy/index.html)

Dozens of alternative syncing options can be found in the [Community plugins directory](https://community.obsidian.md/search?type=plugin&categories=syncing).

## Obsidian Sync

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

The most straightforward and officially supported sync method is our first-party solution: [Obsidian Sync](/content/help/sync/index.html).

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](/content/help/sync/setup/index.html) 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](/content/help/manage-vaults/index.html), and select **Open folder as vault**. Navigate to **iCloud Drive → Obsidian**.

*Image reference: *

## OneDrive

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

[OneDrive](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/Sync-with-OneDrive-bb89981b-e382-4969-b8fd-d413a90b6db3#ID0EAABAAA=Set_up) 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.
3. **Open the vault on another device**:

- On another device, open **Obsidian**, go to the [Vault switcher](/content/help/manage-vaults/index.html), and select **Open folder as vault**. Navigate to **OneDrive → Documents**.

## Google Drive

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

[Google Drive](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/10838124?hl=en) 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.
3. **Open the vault on another device**:

- On another device, open **Obsidian**, go to the [Vault switcher](/content/help/manage-vaults/index.html), 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](https://syncthing.net/) 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).
3. **Open the vault in Obsidian**:

- Once the folder is synced across devices, open **Obsidian**, go to the [Vault switcher](/content/help/manage-vaults/index.html), 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](/content/help/sync/index.html)
- [iCloud](/content/help/sync-notes#iCloud/index.html)

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](/content/help/sync-notes#Git/index.html)

**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](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/working-copy-git-client/id896694807)** 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](/content/help/configuration-folder/index.html) feature.