Obsidian cannot read Documents folder in iCloud

Bug reports
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1

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Steps to reproduce

  1. on macOS. create a vault in an obsidian folder in icloud simulating the destination used in the phone
  2. try to read the vault in ios. it won’t work
  3. remove the vault in macos.
  4. remove the directory you created in ios
  5. try to create a new vault that syncs with icloud
    You won’t be able to create because of permissions.

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

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Expected result

Obsidian should fix icloud permissions even if the process was started in the wrong way. Otherwise users find no-way out.

Actual result

Once you started “the wrong way” there’s no way to fix the obsidian/icloud config

Environment

MacOS and iOS latest versions in 2026

Additional information

2

After removing or renaming the manually created iCloud Drive/Obsidian/ folder, following the steps here:

have worked for some in creating the “official” Obsidian folder with the icon.

This report could maybe be merged into that one, but I’ll let WhiteNoise decide.