Steps to reproduce
- Open a note located inside a subfolder.
- Tap the Expand button (top-left navigation sidebar) shortly after opening—it correctly opens the File Explorer scrolled to the note’s parent folder.
- Keep the same note open, but switch away or leave the app idle for a few hours.
- Reopen Obsidian and tap the Expand button again.
Did you follow the troubleshooting guide? [Y/N]
Yes
Expected result
The File Explorer opens focused on the current note’s parent folder, preserving navigation context.
Actual result
The File Explorer resets to the root directory (full vault), requiring manual navigation back to the parent folder.
Environment
SYSTEM INFO:
Obsidian version: 1.12.7 (303)
API version: 1.12.7
Operating system: iOS 27.0 (Apple iPhone18,1)
Login status: logged in
Language: en
Catalyst license: none
Live preview: on
Base theme: adapt to system
Community theme: none
Snippets enabled: 0
Restricted mode: off
Plugins installed: 11
Plugins enabled: 11
1: Importer v1.8.2
2: File Explorer++ v1.3.1
3: Clear Unused Images v1.1.1
4: Iconize v2.14.7
5: Editing Toolbar v3.2.0
6: File Explorer Note Count v1.2.4
7: Templater v2.16.4
8: Update modified date v1.5.2
9: Advanced Tables v0.22.1
10: Advanced URI v1.46.1
11: Gemini Scribe v4.7.0
Summary
On Obsidian for iOS, tapping the top-left Expand button while viewing a note inside a subfolder correctly opens the File Explorer to that parent folder. However, if the note remains open for a few hours before tapping Expand, the File Explorer resets to the root vault directory instead of staying in the note’s parent folder, forcing manual navigation back to the location.