If I’m not mistaken the Android api provides a generic framework for accessing files in various external providers such as the much requested Google Drive.
Personally, I have a remote folder mounted through another app into this framework that I have been using for markdown notes for years. I currently use a very simple (maybe too simple) text editor app to edit these files but I think Obsidian would provide a much better experience.
The current workflow is to use a timer based sync app like FolderSync and I understand that this can provide some benefits but I think there could also be options that provide some seamless access to external markdown files without having to write code for a bunch of independent providers.
Hi, I am totally new to Obsidian and was looking on sync features beside the obsidian sync. While I understand that Obsidian has to make money somehow, I would prefer to have my own sync mechanisms in place. So I was stumbling about this feature request. Since this is quite a while open, I would love to understand if there are any plans to implement Android SAF which gives me the opportunity to use Nextcloud, DAVx5, etc.
I think this would give folks more options for sync. For example, I use git-annex to manage my attachments in org-mode, ATM. That works on desktop, and on Android, via termux.
While I am considering switching to Obsidian, I would not leave all of my attachments behind, and would not relish the thought of migrating all of them to sync, only to then run in to Sync’s storage limitation!
I would want this for storing my obsidian vault in an encrypted folder managed by anemo, because I’m a bit uncomfortable with how many apps on android just request all files access and therefore have access to my private notes.
I use Nextcloud as my primary cloud storage and would love to use Obsidian as my main file browser/manager on Android. The problem: my phone doesn’t have enough storage to sync everything locally, and I don’t know in advance which folders I’ll need when I’m on the go.
What I need is on-demand access to my Nextcloud files through Obsidian – browse the folder structure, open files when needed, without downloading everything upfront.
Currently there’s no working solution:
Remotely Save downloads everything (no on-demand)
WebDAV Provider app exposes Nextcloud via SAF, but Obsidian doesn’t recognize SAF folders as valid vault locations
FolderSync creates duplicate local copies
SAF support would solve this. Apps like WebDAV Provider or DAVx5 already expose cloud storage through SAF – Obsidian just needs to accept it.
+1. Used GDrive in the past, soon I’ll be moving to Nextcloud.
My vault size exceeds the three digits, and even placing multimedia aside it’s still a pretty humongous vault. I get it that Obsidian mobile was probably originally meant as a quick-note-taking app, but as of now it is sitting pretty far from that idea.
Providing access to external storage is now a must.
The problem is unable to open vault from cloud storage like gdrive just like pc in Android device. I realised we need third party app to do this. Which I find risky and dependent on third party app.
Proposed solution
I suggest adding option to direct open vault from gdrive in Android version too so we can use vault from gdrive cloud storage directly like pc version. The Direct option like pc will remove reliance on third party app.
I removed your second post because it says the same as your first. From the block quote formatting I guess you asked an AI to write a clearer version of your message, but it made it much longer. Your original message was clear enough, and more effective. Thanks!
I’d like to store my Android Obsidian vault in device storage, but I don’t feel safe to grant “manage all files” permission to it, especially when it only needs to access a sepcific folder.
Proposed solution
Let the user select and open a folder on device storage using Android Storage Accessing Framework, without needing to grant permission of managing storage.
Current workaround (optional)
Using app storage instead of device storage can work without the permission grant, but I can’t use external app to sync my vault in that way.