Bug - Mac Obsidian App not displaying files, but files still exist in finder / folder / explorer

[aurorasea]

First, search the help docs and this forum. Maybe your question has been answered! The debugging steps can help, too. Still stuck? Delete this line and proceed.

What I’m trying to do

Today when I opened Obsidian, I suddenly realise almost all the notes I’ve created are gone. I searched for the obsidian folder, the files are actually still there.
These files are actually sync to iCloud.

Things I have tried

1. Restarted app
2. Check app is latest version
3. Check community plug ins are latest version. Those no longer updated are turned off.
4. Refresh community plug in
5. The only community plug in I’m running now is Zotero integration for referencing. This is the latest up dated version.
6. Check iCloud sync is on and include Obsidian folder

Thank you and really appreciate your help.

[ariehen]

If you are using pre-Sequoia macOS, make sure Optimize Mac Storage is OFF in iCloud Drive’s settings. If you using macOS Sequoia, you can right-click on your vault folder in the Finder and select Keep downloaded.

More info here:

Intermittent data loss for current document

Yup, this sounds likely. iCloud Drive has a habit of resetting things during an OS update, so it could be the reason it was fine until you recently did a major OS update. edit: just for anyone else who comes along with the same issue → Set the vault folder to always be downloaded (if you are using macOS Sequoia or above) or turn off Optimize Mac Storage for the entire iCloud Drive. It should be fine after that, but keep an eye on those settings with any major macOS updates.

iCloud Sync Disappearing Files

For starters, make sure Optimize Mac Storage is disabled in the iCloud Drive settings. [Screenshot 2024-07-13 at 20.31.24] Obsidian doesn’t like files being removed randomly by iCloud Drive. It may be something else, but that’s something to check first.