Electron update reminder

Feature requests
1

Use case or problem

Occasionally, Obsidian updates underlying Electron versions, but the built-in update mechanism can’t update the Electron version, and you have to download the installer and reinstall Obsidian.

However, this is not forced and can potentially lead to outdated Electron version.

Proposed solution

It would be nice to get regularly a Notice suggesting to update the installer.

You’re currently running Obsidian v1.2.3 on an outdated Electron runtime. The latest Obsidian (v2.3.4) uses a much newer Electron version.

It’s recommended to update because newer Electron versions:

  • Include the latest security fixes.
  • Are the only ones actively supported by the Electron project (older majors stop receiving updates).
  • Provide better stability and compatibility with modern operating systems and web features.

Obsidian’s built-in auto-update can only update the app code, not the underlying Electron runtime. To move to a current Electron version, you need to download and reinstall using the latest installer from the official site:
Download - Obsidian

Maybe also add a toggle to setting to disable those notices. Useful for people that cannot run installers for whatever reason.

Current workaround (optional)

N/A

2 Likes
2

Obsidian already pops up a notice when the team considers it necessary (which isn’t very often — I think it has only happened once or twice since they added the ability). Are you requesting a different standard for what’s considered necessary? And/or reminders for when the user doesn’t immediately update the installer after being notified? (I’m not sure what the existing behavior is in that case.)

3

My proposal is to remind regularly, for example on each app load. I don’t think it would hurt, but maybe it will decrease the fragmentation of versions to support.

1 Like