Bug: Obsidian does not show "Open folder as vault" on iPadOS 26.2

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1

Steps to reproduce

  • Install Obsidian on iPadOS 26.2 from Apple App Store.
  • Launch the app.
  • Only “Create vault / Set up sync” appears". Use existing vault" loops back to same screen.
  • Files picker never appears.
  • Opening a file via Files > Share > Obsidian only shows “Import into vault”. There’s no way to open any folder as a vault.
  • Deleting, rebooting, reinstalling, and verifying permissions doesn’t fix it. Apple Support believes the app isn’t yet compatible with iPadOS 26.2, and I’m just running into this issue because a) 26.2 was released on Friday and I’m trying to use Obsidian for the first time yesterday (14 December). Of potential interest is that according to the app in the App Store, you last updated the iOS app 2 weeks ago, however, iPadOS was released just 3 days ago, and although I’m not a developer, I know how these things work, and perhaps the new OS broke this basic functionality of your wonderful app.

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

<
Did you try the above steps in the sandbox vault (or just any vault started in restricted mode, no snippets and default theme)?
It’s gonna break our hearts to discard this bug report if you didn’t do it! Please!
→
I am sorry, I didn’t try the sandbox vault, however I created several “TestVaults” that still would not allow me to open a folder as a vault.

Expected result

Expected to see the option to “Open Folder as Vault”, which has been the way I’ve been using the feature on my other devices (Galaxy S25 Ultra, MacBook Pro 16" (M4, running Tahoe 26.2), Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Windows 11 PC.

Actual result

Option is not presented. The only 2 options are connect to iCloud or create a new vault, however then i get into an endless loop that keeps taking me right back to the same page. You also see “Open an existing vault” but that also ends up just returning you back to the same page.

Environment

iPad Pro 11" M4 (2024)
iPadOS 26.2 (released 12 December, iPad upgraded that day, but didn’t begin the Obsidian install until yesterday (14 December).
Latest version of Obsidian app from Apple App Store (it says “last updated 2 weeks ago”)

Additional information

I’ve been trying everything possible. The weird thing is that I can see Obsidian as a save to location, as a share location, i can see the folder fine in iOS but your app is not seeing any folders. If i create a new vault, that doesn’t do the trick, because it then just keeps taking me right back to the page asking to connect to iCloud or Obsidian Sync, neither of which I want to do.
I’m happy to do a screenshare with you, or send screenshots, or whatever else might help. Thanks so much. I hope this can be fixed.

1 Like
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Also, I neglected to mention that “on my iPad” or just the “Obsidian” folder are at the iOS level all visible and functioning perfectly, i.e. if I go to Files on iPad, then long-press on a folder, tap Share, Obsidian IS one of the options, same with just opening the folder directly. It’s just the APP that refuses to see the folder on the iPad.:wink:

3

Can you explain or show (even better) exactly what happens when you click on Create new vault? The process should be: click on Create new vault > give a vault name > don’t store in iCloud > Create. This creates and opens a new vault for me.

I’m also curious where you are seeing “use existing vault”. Is that after you press Setup Obsidian Sync or somewhere else?

There is no “Open Folder as Vault” option or file picker popup on iOS or iPadOS when creating a vault. You can’t choose to open a vault in a random location. Vaults can only be in On My iPad/Obsidian/ (or iCloud Drive/Obsidian/).

This is up to you but something I would try: quit Obsidian > in the iPadOS Files app rename or move the On My iPad/Obsidian/ folder (with the icon) > start Obsidian and try to create a new local (non-iCloud vault).

For what it’s worth, Obsidian v1.10.6 (the current App Store version) and v1.11.1 (beta) are running fine (as far as creating and opening vaults, etc.) on iOS/iPadOS 26.2 on my end, both on my iPhone and iPad.

1 Like
4

Some more conversation here in Discord.

5

This is resolved with feedback on my community post.