Mobile Sync Issue - Obsidian Crashes After Git Clone

[Dan0Silva]

Hey everyone!

I started using Obsidian this year and I’m really enjoying it. Recently I began using daily notes with todo lists to better organize my tasks, which has been incredibly helpful.

Now I’m trying to sync my vault to my phone so I can: Check off todo items while on the go, and quickly reference my notes when away from my computer

I tried using the Git plugin (since I already use GitHub for backups), but after successfully cloning my private repo (using an access token), the mobile app crashes immediately - it shows the splash screen then closes. The app won’t reopen unless I reinstall it.

Key details:

Using plugins: Excalidraw, Dataview, LaTeX Suite, Iconizer

Private GitHub repository

Has anyone experienced this? Could it be:

A plugin conflict?

An issue with mobile Git implementation?

Just a bug in the current version?

I’m open to alternative sync solutions too if that would work better. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[WhiteNoise]

moved to help section

[static7777]

I’m also having this exact issue. Using obsidian on a pixel running Graphene.

Tried cloning via an external git app and the clone is successful but obsidian refuses to load any of the files.

When I create a new note it appears right next to the files obtained from Git.

[PaulDickson]

Check out Syncthing for Obsidian

You can use a free app called “Synctrain” or $5 paid app “Mobius Sync Pro”

If you also wanted to keep a copy on your Github, sync to your Github Folder via Github Desktop or Automate it

If you’re interested check out this thread

Sync Mac/PC and iOS using Syncthing + Möbius Sync

After trying most of the sync methods available for syncing Obsidian between Mac/PC and iOS, Syncthing + Möbius Sync is the best solution I’ve found so far. Once set up, it is (mostly) frictionless, to the point that sync is an afterthought and stays out-of-sight. This should work for Android as well, but you would use the official Syncthing client instead of Mobius Sync (which is just an iOS version of Syncthing, since there is no official iOS client). To summarize the advantages of this meth…

If using Git on the computer, add “.git” to the file exclusions in Syncthing, so git history isn’t synced to iOS.

[static7777]

I previously used syncthing for obsidian on my phone but found it used too much battery. After removing it my battery life has doubled.

I would much prefer to use git due to it not running in the background and superior version control.

Both git and syncthing clone your vault to your phone and then obsidian should just be able to open it. Yet obsidian refuses to look at the files. This seems like a bug to me.

Along with that, the app crashing while cloning the repo using the git extension is definitely a bug.

[PaulDickson]

That’s a vaid concern with this setup.

Personally for me I don’t need Syncthing/Tailscale running on my iPad/iPhone whilst I’m using my mobile devices.

The syncing is down manually at the start and end of my note session.
It’s an added step which isn’t for everyone.

The problem I found with Git Syncing is now Microsoft has all your Data

[Yurcee]

@PaulDickson

Microsoft has all your Data

Looking at Gates and Ballmer, they need all the adult savvy they can get.

[static7777]

I selfhost gitlab, so Microsoft does not get all my data

[PaulDickson]

I selfhost gitlab, so Microsoft does not get all my data

Awesome, it’s definitely the way forward