[Bug] Can't write to SD card (external storage)

Ka_upkah · 2021-07-12T10:16:20.618Z

Platform

[x] Android

Obsidian Mobile version: v1.0.2
Android version: 6 (kernel version: 3.18.19)

The mobile app can’t create a vault on SD card (formatted as external storage). Screenshots: root dir, subdir. When I select the internal storage, it works fine.

I also tried to use my existing vault, synced via Dropbox to SD card: it loads fine, it can read the files but cannot write them or create new files, it shows FILE_NOTCREATED error.

Phoenix · 2021-07-12T15:36:27.516Z

Having the same problem with my USB stick and tablet. File_NotCreated error when I try to edit.

reolhalcyon · 2021-07-12T08:28:51.420Z

Please add [Bug] or [Feature] to your post title, then delete this line.

Platform

[ ] iOS
[x] Android

Obsidian Mobile version: v1.0.2

I’ve tried setting my vault to my usb, but it won’t let me. It keeps popping up with a message saying ‘Error: this path cannot be resolved.’ Just wondering if anyone has found a way around it and could let me know. Much appreciated.

WhiteNoise · 2021-07-12T15:48:29.732Z

Does obsidian have permission to accesse the external storage?

Ka_upkah · 2021-07-12T16:05:44.346Z

Storage permission is turned on: screenshot
There is no other option for external storage (at least on my Android 6 phone).

emaynard · 2021-07-16T00:55:02.729Z

Similar issue on A9. Obsidian 1.0.3.

App has SD permission. Even runs from SD card.

Screenshot_20210715-204528_Package installer1536×2048 143 KB

Screenshot_20210715-204609_Settings1536×2048 167 KB

Screenshot_20210715-205049_Obsidian1536×2048 143 KB

haribol · 2021-07-17T15:18:46.052Z

Same issue here. When I try to create a vault on external SD card/storage, I get “failed to create vault. Unable to create directory, unknown reason.” Similar message when trying to use an existing empty folder on external storage.

It does allow me to create my vault in the Documents folder on main (built-in) storage, though. (Which is the workaround I’m using for now, although not ideal.) But not in the root folder of main storage.

Using Android 8.0 on Samsung Galaxy S7, Obsidian Mobile v1.0.3. Screenshots attached showing Obsidian does have all storage permissions that I’m able to see to give it, and system info. Also reports that Obsidian has “access to 5 folders/files” next to the listing for “External Storage”, but no way that I know of to tell which folders those are.

Also of note, the file picker dialog shows “allow write permission” at the top of its popup left bar menu when picking a location to place the vault folder.

PS, very grateful to the developers for making this available on mobile now as well as desktop; it works amazingly well and better than expected, even on my older devices (except, notably, when using iCloud as sync provider on iOS, (on iPhone 6s/iOS 13), app becomes practically unusable due to slowness, lags, hanging. But I switched to using Obsidian Sync, and everything works quite smoothly. Somehow iCloud sync slows things way down. )

So far, so good on Android with Obsidian Sync on this somewhat older device.

(Sorry to digress off topic, but wanted to share that I’m case it’s useful to someone else while I’m here, in case I don’t get around to posting it separately.)

An error ocurred while loading Obsidian – Screenshot_20210717-083841_Obsidian
File picker showing “Allow Write Permission” Screenshot_20210717-084348_Files
“Failed to create vault” Error message toast popup Screenshot_20210717-084454_Obsidian|281x500
Obsidian storage settings Screenshot_20210717-084557_Settings|281x500
Obsidian app permissions Screenshot_20210717-084621_Package installer|281x500
Android software information Screenshot_20210717-084648_Settings|281x500
Android software information 2 Screenshot_20210717-084701_Settings|281x500

vinnie · 2021-07-27T10:32:07.326Z

I have the same issue with my Samsung Galaxy A8 (A530)
Internal storage works fine, but cannot write to SD-card even though as far as I can tell app-permissions are OK.

Obsidian 1.0.3
Android 9 (last update May 2021)
Kernel 4.4.111

furchtblase · 2021-07-27T11:52:07.082Z

I also have this issue. The app has the necessary permissions, but can only read from my vault on the sd-card, when I make an edit to a file i get the FILE_NOTCREATED error.

Obsidian Mobile version: v1.0.2
Android version: 9 (kernel version: 4.9.148), huawei device

natsuki221 · 2021-07-27T17:12:58.584Z

I also have this issue with my Asus Zenfone5z whether in internal storage or sd card.
When I try to create a new vault in my interal storage, I got “Failed to convert path.”

I’m using Android 10.0 and Obsidian version is 1.0.3.

Sonn_ae7 · 2021-07-29T07:58:17.320Z

Go to your file manager and create in Android/data path a folder called md.obsidian (works for internal storage and sd card). Choose that one as a vault in Obsidian app, it worked for me. I hope I can help you.

WhiteNoise · 2021-07-29T13:51:38.052Z

Hello, I am afraid here we are conflating several bugs. Have you attempted to create a new vault in a subdirectory of SD card. Like you create the directory obsidian Obsidian and then create a vault under it. Does it work if you do so?

WhiteNoise · 2021-07-29T16:42:15.402Z

If you are insider, you please check build 1.04, we added some fixes for these issue. I am not sure it will work for everyone because I am not sure everyone has the same problem.

vinnie · 2021-07-29T20:47:36.556Z

This also does not work. I tried SD-card root, subfolder and sub-subfolder.
I keep getting the following error: “Failed to create vault. Unable to create directory, unknown reason”.

Editing a file in an existing vault on my SD-card (copy-pasted the vault directory) gives me the FILE_NOTCREATED error.

I’m not an insider, so still on 1.0.3

Screenshot_20210729-224211_Obsidian1080×2220 178 KB

LouisKleiman · 2021-08-10T14:29:41.438Z

Same here. Galaxy S9+. All permissions granted, sub folder used, …

Screenshot_20210810-102755_Settings1080×2220 164 KB

WhiteNoise · 2021-08-10T14:44:06.787Z

what’s your Obsidian version? This should be fixed at least for some people in 1.0.4

davinellulinvega · 2021-08-12T14:13:17.541Z

My Samsung S8 is currently running:

Android 9
Kernel 4.4.111
Obsidian 1.0.4

And still, I cannot create a new vault or open an existing one on external storage.

reolhalcyon · 2021-08-15T07:29:52.010Z

Hi even after the update 1.0.4, I am still unable to set a folder in my external storage (USB). I have a screenshot of the error message it presents. My phone is a Samsung A21s running Android 11.

Screenshot_20210815-165204_Obsidian720×1600 118 KB

ichmoimeyo · 2021-08-15T11:09:52.943Z

@reolhalcyon

On my Android tablet I’ve been having the exact opposite problem:

Obsidian
SD card: no problems
Local Drive: NO opening or creating of vaults with error messages

A long time ago - before Obsidian - I, due to lack of space, changed my default download location from LOCAL drive to SD card.

So just a moment ago I switched back and made my Local Drive the “default
download” location again.

After a reboot Obsidian worked just fine on my Local Drive as well as still on my SD card.

I’ve switched back to my SD card being the “default download location” and Obsidian is still fine with both locations

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So if you are having a problem with Obsidian and the SD card on your Android phone, I would try the following:

After a reboot hopefully Obsidian will now work on your SD Card & still work on your Local drive.

Then later you can revert your “Download location” to your Local drive & Obsidian still should work on your SD Card.

PS:
I only had Obsidian on the Local drive on my Android phone - so when I popped in a USB stick earlier, Obsidian immediately asked for access permission for the SD card on my USB stick and thus both locations worked fine.

reolhalcyon · 2021-08-17T07:59:26.316Z

I can create a vault in my sd card, but I’m still unable to open my vault in my USB. I tried changing the download location and restarting my phone like you said, but it still didn’t work :’(((