Obsidian overwrites iPad OS default PDF viewer

Bug reports
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1

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”.

1 Like
2

This seems unlikely since obsidian doesn’t even register for handling markdown files.

Are you sure you didn’t manually change something?

3

Yes, I’m certain. Tested on multiple iPads, both iPad OS 17 and 18, and even tested with a clean iPad OS install.

4

does this happen all PDFs? or only the PDFs located within your vault?

5

I have the same problem on iPhone. It happens only for files that are inside the vault, outside the vault everything works normal. The problem is not just for PDFs, but images too.

I can resolve the issue manually by tapping on the file and selecting “Quick Look” or “Share” it and send a copy to iBooks.

6

I can confirm the same problem on my iPad.

I have a recording of everything on my iPad in the bots-land-mute-me channel on the discord server.

You can see there are zero settings for this in the settings app on iPad. I wouldn’t have changed that. Every time I press on any PDF on my iPad, it opens Obsidian and it doesn’t even open that PDF. Albeit, they are located in a different vault from the one I have open but even when I have the same vault open, it just opens Obsidian. It doesn’t open that PDF inside Obsidian.

7

I believe this is how iOS works. It opens all files inside an app directory with that app.

8

Ah, this is the solution. You are correct. PDFs outside the “Obsidian” folder open in the default viewer.

Is there a way to get obsidian to open the PDF when it is clicked in the files app though? Assuming that vault is open?

Cause, I open the vault where the PDF is located and then in the files app select the PDF and it just opens Obsidian and nothing else happens.