When you [[Plans and storage limits#Create a new remote vault|create a remote vault]] and [[Set up Obsidian Sync#Connect to a remote vault|connect to it]], the Sync Core plugin becomes the place for managing your remote vault.
## Sync settings
**Remote vault**
This section shows your currently connected remote vault. It includes a **Disconnect** button to disconnect from the remote vault and a **Manage** button to view all remote vaults your account has access to (including shared vaults via [[Collaborate on a shared vault|collaboration]]).
> [!todo] If your remote vault is located in a third-party sync service, you will see a red error message. Follow the steps in [[Migrate to Obsidian Sync]] to resolve this.
**Sync status**
Displays the current sync status of the remote vault. This section includes either a **Pause** or **Resume** button, depending on the status.
**Device name**
Assign a unique name to the device currently syncing. This helps track activity in the [[Status icon and messages#Sync log|sync log]].
**Deleted files**
Contains a button to **View** or **Restore** deleted files. For more details, see [[Version history]].
**Storage usage**
Displays a progress bar showing how much of your sync storage is used.
> [!tip] It may take up to 30 minutes for the current usage to update due to server-side processing.
**Contact support**
Provides instructions on how to [[Help and support#Contact Obsidian support|contact Obsidian support]], including options to **Copy debug info** and **Email support**.
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You can also choose what to sync in the Sync Core plugin's settings. This section covers **selective sync** and **vault configuration sync**, along with their associated caveats.
## Selective syncing
Files synced to your [[Local and remote vaults|remote vault]] contribute to your [[Sync limitations#How large can each remote vault be|storage limit]]. By default, Obsidian Sync activates **selective sync** for the following file types:
- Images
- Audio
- Videos
- PDFs
To sync additional file types, toggle the `Sync all other types` option.
The default **vault configuration sync** settings include:
- Other file types
- Main settings
- Appearance
- Themes and snippets
- Hotkeys
- Active core plugin list
- Core plugin settings
To sync community plugins, manually enable **Active community plugin list** and **Installed community plugin list**.
### Change the file types you want to sync
1. Open **Settings → Sync**.
2. Under **Selective sync**, enable the file types you want to sync.
3. Restart the application to apply the new settings. On mobile or tablet, this may require a force-quit.
Note that your [[Plans and storage limits|Sync plan]] defines the maximum file size you can sync. The Standard plan allows syncing files up to 5MB, while the Plus plan supports files up to 200MB.
> [!info] Adding a file to the **Excluded files** list does not remove it from the remote vault if it has already been synced. Configure your Sync settings *before* syncing to avoid using unnecessary storage.
### Exclude a folder from syncing
By default, Obsidian syncs all files and folders in your vault. To exclude a specific folder from syncing:
1. Open **Settings → Sync**.
2. Next to **Excluded folders**, select **Manage**.
3. Check the box next to the folder you want to exclude.
4. Select **Done**.
#### Always excluded from sync
##### Hidden folders (folders starting with a dot) are not synced
Folders that begin with a `.` (e.g., `.hidden`) are treated as hidden folders and are not synced. The only exception is the [[Configuration folder]], typically named `.obsidian`.
Common examples of hidden folders that are not synced include `.vscode`, `.git`, and `.idea`.
##### Sync settings are not synced
Sync settings do not sync across devices. You need to configure them separately on each device as needed.
## Updating your synced vault settings
To modify sync settings across multiple devices, follow these steps:
> [!tip] The terms "primary" and "secondary" devices are for clarity only; Sync does not differentiate between them.
### Primary device
The primary device acts as the source of truth. Changes made here are synced across all other devices.
1. Go to **Settings → Sync**.
2. Activate the desired settings under **Vault configuration sync**.
3. Reload or restart Obsidian. On mobile or tablet, a force-quit may be required.
4. Allow time for the settings to sync with your remote vault.
### Secondary device(s)
Secondary devices (such as your phone) receive updates from the primary device.
1. Go to **Settings → Sync**.
2. Enable the necessary settings under **Vault configuration sync**.
3. Wait for changes to download from the remote vault.
4. Reload or restart the app to apply the synced settings. On mobile or tablet, a force-quit may be required.
### Reloading of settings
Certain settings can be hot reloaded, while others require a restart:
- **Hot-reloadable**: Most Obsidian configurations, including hotkeys and properties, appearance settings, and configurations for already-enabled core plugins.
- **Requires reload**: CSS changes (e.g., [[CSS snippets]], [[Themes]]), graph view configurations, and core plugin states (e.g., enabling/disabling Daily Notes).
Community plugins typically do not support hot reloading and require a restart when new settings are applied.
> [!todo] Plugin developers: Learn how to [integrate hot-reload functionality with Obsidian Sync](https://docs.obsidian.md/Reference/TypeScript+API/Plugin/onExternalSettingsChange).
## Settings profiles
Obsidian Sync can sync multiple [[Configuration folder|configuration folders]] to the same remote vault, allowing you to create separate profiles (e.g., one for mobile, another for your laptop).
### Create a settings profile
To create a new settings profile:
1. Open **Settings → Files and links**.
2. Under **Override config folder**, enter a name for your profile, starting with a period (`.`), e.g., `.obsidian-mobile`.
3. Relaunch Obsidian to apply the changes.
> [!note]
> Changing the settings profile will require reconfiguring your sync settings. To avoid redownloading plugins and themes, copy your existing `.obsidian` folder and rename it to match your new profile (e.g., `.obsidian-mobile`) before making changes.