Is there still no sync solution that works in the background on iOS at the file-level (aside from iCloud)? Ala Working Copy but sync-centric, not via git.
iCloud ADP moves the needle a bit, but until file metadata is E2EE it is likely a no-go for those who want File-level access for security/privacy reasons.
Obsidian Sync
*Outside of Obsidian and preferably with control of where data is stored (regardless of encryption).
This would be useful particularly when adding notes via iOS shortcuts (instead of adding via uri and potentially having to wait for the whole vault to reload due to ios killing the process). Then the shortcut-created notes can be synced directly on ios. This works fine using Working Copy, but of course is a manual process.
At work I’m forced to Microsoft-Ecosystem and have to use OneDrive instead of iCloud. And there’s no possivility to install iCloud or anything on the office-devices. So I have to use my OneDrive on the Windows PC to store my Obsidian-files but can’t open my work-OneDrive on Obsidian mobile to use my vault in there.
There should be a native implementation of using different cloud services in which you can store your Obsidian-files.
sadly none but note taking on paper and transkribing it afterwards
The fact that Obsidian cannot sync with iCloud Drive is an iOS specification.
Complain to Apple; complaining to Obsidian is misguided.
It is similar to the way the iOS web browser is tied to WebKit.
There are several ways to sync your iPhone or iPad with Windows.
etc…
Which method you choose depends on your own money, time, research and technical skills.
If you don’t have the time, research or technical skills, then you should shut up and pay for it.
I can synchronize my devices, including iPad, Windows, Android, and Linux, seamlessly without any issues.
Would like to see an option to use GoogleDrive with the iOS app instead of only iCloud
I don’t want to use iCloud for syncing my vault. I have a NAS that I could use to store my vault. (accessible via SMB / Apple files app integration) This would allow me to access the vault from all of my devices. Even remote access would be possible. (Using VPN)
I’m doing this with Strongbox too. (My password manager of choice)
It’s working flawlessly in that case. However, though Strongbox has some sort of local cache. I’m not so sure, if that would be a Problem with the current Obsidian implementation.
Allow opening a vault from the Apple files app. (There’s some Dialog that Apple provides. Maybe UIDocumentBrowserViewController or something along those lines…) You can then add the SMB share as remote in the Apple files app and access it within Obsidian.
I’m not aware of a workaround. I feel like I’m forced to use iCloud at this point.
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1). Install obsidian on iOS.
2). Install Mobius Syncthing and pay the $4.99 to unlock all features.
3). Add your vaults to iOS using syncthing.
4). Copy and paste your vaults into the obsidian folder.
5). Open Obsidian and verify that you can select between your vaults and that all your plugins moved over.
6). Delete the old shares in syncthing and update to synchronize the new locations of your vaults.
Addendum: if you use Möbius Sync then please know that you can share the obsidian vault to the iPhone from another source and select the obsidian folder as the save location as long as the obsidian app is already installed. Just learned this and it’s an easier way. Both work. Hope this info helps someone out there.
It has been shown that other applications can do it.
In iOS version of iA Writer I can add an arbitrary folder from iCloud Drive (outside of app’s sandbox) to library list. Not just to open individual files – it indexes those folders and shows list of files in the library, including previews. Admittedly it doesn’t allow adding folders from other cloud services like that (Dropbox, One Drive).
As a matter fact, iA Writer can add folder from Obsidian sandbox. Another example app which can do this is FS Notes.
I’m sure there are limitations imposed by iOS API for accessing folders outside of sandbox. But clearly it’s enough to list folder content and edit files.
I did some research into this out of curiosity and to learn more about iOS development. One thing I found was that there is a File Provider API that allows applications to register extensions that provide access to items via the Files viewer and APIs, and synchronize those items with a remote server.
I believe that what’s possible here is for a ReplicatedFileProvider to manage synchronization with a remote server/filesystem (left as an exercise to the reader, there are many options) and notify the Obsidian app when there are remote changes made. This would allow the Obsidian app to update its index, and the app can in turn notify the extension when the user makes a change locally, so that the change is propagated to the remote server. The API seems to provide for a pretty reasonable, if simple, conflict detection model based on a serial version identifier; I assume that in the context of Obsidian Sync this part already exists.
I apologize if this is already well-trod territory; I read through this thread but not all the associated ones, and I didn’t see anyone discussing this approach to exposing the Obsidian vault to other Files-using iOS apps, or allowing it to synchronize with user-defined remote storage.
Obviously, writing a description like this is much easier than actually coding it up, and I don’t have the iOS knowledge or time to contribute that work at the moment. I hope this is useful to someone, nonetheless!
Hello! Are there still no workarounds so far? Even in IOS18?
I was impressed of Obsidian customization features, but working multiple devices appeared to be not possible:( Wanted to make secure synch on private server for work matters. Im ok to pay obsidian 1-time like for Thing3, but subscription and synching through their server is a heartbreaker. Synch like in iA Writer, Scrivener, Things3 is pretty much enough…
I am a new user who started to use Obsidian recently. I love it. But not being able to open files in Folder (outside iCloud) is killing me. I really want to sync those files with Dropbox. Everything is good on my Mac but when I switch to my iPad this is so much pain.
It’s possible to sync with Dropbox by using the Remotely Save plugin (but some features are paid — I don’t remember if Dropbox support is).