Android, Mobile: Popout window “readable line length” interfering with text selection/copying

Bug graveyard
, , ,
1

Steps to reproduce

  • Open/make any note.
  • Write any text (if the note is empty).
  • Turn on “reading view”.
  • Select/highlight text by clicking/holding.
  • Try to copy/translate/start voice reading etc selected text.

Did you follow the troubleshooting guide? [Y/N]

Y

Expected result

Highlight/select text without a pop-up window appearing. Copy/translate, etc., the entire selected text, not just the first word.

Actual result

After selecting text, regardless of its length or location, a pop-up window “readable line length” displays at the bottom of the screen. (window completely unnecessary in mobile view, especially considering that it is also in the settings). This window prevents copying, etc., of the selected text. After next attempt to copy, etc., the action does not cover the entire selected text, only its first word.

Environment

SYSTEM INFO:
Operating system: android 13 (motorola moto g72)
Webview version: 139.0.7258.94
Obsidian version: 1.9.10 (234)
API version: v1.9.10
Login status: not logged in
Language: pl
Live preview: on
Base theme: light
Community theme: Minimal v8.0.4
Snippets enabled: 7
Restricted mode: off
Plugins installed: 15
Plugins enabled: 14
1: Auto Link Title v1.5.5
2: Calendar v1.5.10
3: Checklist v2.2.14
4: Custom Frames v2.5.0
5: Dataview v0.5.68
6: Excalidraw v2.15.0
7: Homepage v4.2.2
8: Link Embed v2.9.2
9: Links v1.17.47
10: Minimal Theme Settings v8.1.1
11: Recent Files v1.7.4
12: Reading Time v1.1.2
13: Remotely Save v0.5.25
14: Templater v2.14.1

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Custom theme and snippets: for cosmetic issues, please first try updating your theme and disabling your snippets. If still not fixed, please try to make the issue happen in the Sandbox Vault or disable community theme and snippets.
Community plugins: for bugs, please first try updating all your plugins to latest. If still not fixed, please try to make the issue happen in the Sandbox Vault or disable community plugins.

Also tested in the all-new Vault / restricted mode

SYSTEM INFO:
Operating system: android 13 (motorola moto g72)
Webview version: 139.0.7258.94
Obsidian version: 1.9.10 (234)
API version: v1.9.10
Login status: not logged in
Language: pl
Live preview: on
Base theme: light
Community theme: none
Snippets enabled: 0
Restricted mode: on

RECOMMENDATIONS:
none

Additional information

The problem occurs in Reading View.

Screenshot_20250825-124200
Screenshot_20250825-1242001080×2289 320 KB

Screenshot_20250825-124217
Screenshot_20250825-1242171080×2122 176 KB

Similar topic: forum.obsidian.md/t/readable-line-length-menu-blocking-copy-on-android/90069

2 Likes
2

I can’t reproduce.

Please, create a new vault and post a screen recording of this happening there. thanks

3

The problem is indeed strange, as it doesn’t always occur immediately in a new note, but later becomes constant and regular. The link (in parts) to the recording below:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tnfzod78pt3fq42nudu0q/screen-20250826-101430-2.mp4?rlkey=2qqwpxj2tvhxue0d1nbgpz3sz&st=6sjmfp6w&dl=0

4

Same issue, in restricted mode
ezgif-1bfd72b2031328

It reminds me of this bug last year: Readable Line Length Menu Blocking Copy on Android

BTW I have struggled uploading the recording because of the 4MB + accepted format limitations

5

Yeah, sorry about that. It’s a forum limitation.

You can also post the recording somewhere and add the share link (or embed link to it if that works) here.

6

that doesn’t look like a vanilla vault.

Create a new vault, post a screen recording of it happening there, thanks!

7

I cannot reproduce in sandbox vault, however the issue persists with Restricted mode (no community plug-in) with default theme and no custom CSS. So it is close to vanilla, appart from the vault content.

Debug info 
SYSTEM INFO:
	Operating system: android 14 (samsung SM-A528B)
	Webview version: 139.0.7258.143
	Obsidian version: 1.9.10 (234)
	API version: v1.9.10
	Login status: logged in
	Language: en
	Catalyst license: supporter
	Live preview: on
	Base theme: dark
	Community theme: none
	Snippets enabled: 0
	Restricted mode: on

RECOMMENDATIONS:
	none
8

Okay then please post a screen recording of that happening under those circumstances and attach here (or dm me) a link to a note where this happens. Thanks

9

I managed to record and reproduce with a new empty vault.
It seems that files get infected at some point (restarting the app infect the file). It doesn’t happen on new files as illustrated.

ezgif-3a629ad1a6a919

1 Like
10

I also checked previous versions, both the new clean vault and the one with plugins/themes (and with restricted mode). The problem occurs in all available 1.9+ versions.

The problem does not occur in version 1.8.10 in any note, even when it previously occurred in 1.9.10

SYSTEM INFO:
Operating system: android 13 (motorola moto g72)
Obsidian version: 1.8.10 (197)
API version: v1.8.10
Login status: not logged in
Language: pl
Live preview: on
Base theme: light
Community theme: Minimal v7.7.19
Snippets enabled: 8
Restricted mode: off
Plugins installed: 14
Plugins enabled: 13
1: Link Embed v2.9.2
2: Minimal Theme Settings v8.1.1
3: Waypoint v2.1.0
4: Auto Link Title v1.5.5
5: Recent Files v1.7.4
6: Links v1.17.47
7: Importer v1.6.22
8: Dataview v0.5.68
9: Templater v2.14.1
10: Unicode Search v0.7.1
11: Homepage v4.2.2
12: Style Settings v1.0.9
13: HTML Reader v1.0.12

Video for 1.9.10: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/tnfzod78pt3fq42nudu0q/screen-20250826-101430-2.mp4?rlkey=2qqwpxj2tvhxue0d1nbgpz3sz&st=6sjmfp6w&

11
  • what phone do you have exactly make/model?
  • which android version are you running?
  • does it happen in the sandbox vault?
12

All the requested details about the device are in this comment: Android, Mobile: Popout window “readable line length” interfering with text selection/copying - #7 by nicolas.lienart
For reproducing in a new bare-metal vault, see: Android, Mobile: Popout window “readable line length” interfering with text selection/copying - #9 by nicolas.lienart

13

Hi Nicolas, this question for other people encountering this problem.

We haven’t been able to reproduce in our devices and we are trying to find out if there is common thread in these reports.

14

I have the same issue.

When selecting one word nothing happens. When trying to expand the selection, the “readable line length” popup appears. Tap anywhere and it disappears. When trying to expand the selection even further is appears again.

Happens in multiple vaults, both with and without community plugins and/or themes.

Obsidian v1.9.12 (237)
Android 16, security patch sept 5, 2025

15

Hi! I am having the same problem on my Z Fold 7. Is there any way to get rid of this pop up that covers the copy option. It’s absolutely frustrating. Would really appreciate any help in this regard.

16

Same problem with Samsung S24 Ultra running obsidian 1.9.14 (Android).

17

Doesn’t happen if opening Obsidian to a note in editing mode (and then switching to reading mode), but does if opening to a note in reading mode. Also, if you click on a link (even if it’s a link to the current note you’re on) while it’s not happening, it’ll start happening. Same for if you browse to a new page using the quick switcher.

SYSTEM INFO:
Operating system: android 15 (OnePlus CPH2551)
Webview version: 140.0.7339.207
Obsidian version: 1.9.14 (242)
API version: v1.9.14
Login status: logged in
Language: en
Catalyst license: insider
Live preview: on
Base theme: adapt to system
Community theme: none
Snippets enabled: 0
Restricted mode: on

RECOMMENDATIONS:
none

1 Like
18

Here you can see it immediately start happening as soon as I tap the link to “Scratchpad” while in Scratchpad.md itself.

19

We can repro now. Will be fixed 1.10.1

4 Likes
20

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