Steps to reproduce
- install Obsidian on iPad
- try to open any PDF from the Files app
Did you follow the troubleshooting guide? [Y/N]
Yes.
Expected result
PDF opens in the default iPad OS PDF viewer.
Actual result
Obsidian app opens to a previously viewed note (but not even the PDF).
Environment
SYSTEM INFO:
Operating system: ios 18.2 (Apple iPad13,8)
Obsidian version: 1.7.7 (172)
API version: v1.7.7
Login status: not logged in
Language: en
Live preview: on
Base theme: adapt to system
Community theme: none
Snippets enabled: 4
Restricted mode: off
Plugins installed: 0
Plugins enabled: 0
Additional information
iPad OS (currently) does not offer the functionality to select default apps for file extensions. Thereby, as soon as Obsidian tells the OS that it should be used to open PDFs the user can’t change this option.
This is especially troublesome considering that Obsidian doesn’t actually open the PDF file…
The only workaround currently is either uninstalling Obsidian or opening PDFs by long pressing and selecting “Open in New Window”.