Obsidian stores notes locally on your device so you always have access to them, even offline. To access your notes on multiple devices you need to set up a sync method. This guide covers common sync methods, including tips to avoid data loss and ensure a smooth experience. We also recommend reading our [[Back up your Obsidian files|backup guide]] to protect your data. ## Syncing methods With Obsidian your data is simply stored as files in a folder called a [[Local and remote vaults|vault]]. This means there are many ways to sync your data. These are a few commonly used sync methods reported by members of the [Obsidian Community](https://obsidian.md/community): 1. **First-party sync**: [[#Obsidian Sync]] 2. **Third-party cloud sync**: [[#iCloud]], [[#OneDrive]], and [[#Google Drive]] 3. **Local sync**: [[#Syncthing]] 4. **Version control**: [[#Git]] and [[#Working Copy]] ## Obsidian Sync **Recommended systems**: `Windows`, `macOS`, `Linux`, `iOS`, `Android` The most straightforward and officially supported sync method is our first party solution: [[Introduction to Obsidian Sync|Obsidian Sync]]. Obsidian Sync is end-to-end encrypted for maximum privacy, and provides seamless integration with the Obsidian app. Follow the [[Set up Obsidian Sync|setup guide]] to configure Obsidian Sync. > [!Important] Avoid using Obsidian Sync alongside other cloud services like Dropbox or OneDrive **for the same vault**, as this can cause data conflicts and file corruption. ## iCloud **Recommended systems**: `macOS`, `iOS`, `iPadOS` iCloud can be used to sync vaults between iOS and macOS. However, **iCloud Drive on Windows** may lead to file duplication or corruption. **How to create and store your vault in iCloud Drive**: - **Enable iCloud Drive**: - On macOS: Go to **System Preferences → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Drive**. - On iOS: Go to **Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Drive**. - **Create a new vault in iCloud**: - On macOS: 1. Open **Obsidian** and select **Create new vault**. 2. In the file picker, navigate to **iCloud Drive → Obsidian**. 3. Create a folder for your vault and name it. 4. Select **Create** to finish. - On iOS: 1. Open **Obsidian** and tap **Create new vault**. 2. Enter a name for your vault. 3. Toggle on **Store in iCloud**. 4. Tap **Create**. - **Open the vault on another Apple device**: - On another macOS or iOS device, open **Obsidian**, go to the [[Manage vaults|Vault switcher]], and select **Open folder as vault**. Navigate to **iCloud Drive → Obsidian**. > [!Tip] Best Practices > - For **macOS 14 (Sonoma) and earlier**: Disable **Optimize Mac Storage** in iCloud settings to prevent files from being offloaded. This setting affects all iCloud storage on the device, not just Obsidian. > - For **macOS 15 (Sequoia)**: Right-click the **Obsidian** folder in iCloud Drive and select **Keep Downloaded**. ## OneDrive **Recommended systems**: `Windows`, `macOS` (limited functionality on Android) [OneDrive](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/Sync-with-OneDrive-bb89981b-e382-4969-b8fd-d413a90b6db3#ID0EAABAAA=Set_up) is a popular cloud storage option for Windows and macOS users. However, it has limitations on Android and isn't officially supported for syncing Obsidian vaults on iOS. > [!Important] Before using OneDrive for syncing, ensure that your vault folder is marked as **Always keep on this device**. This prevents OneDrive from offloading files and causing Obsidian to think they are missing. **How to create and store your vault in OneDrive**: 1. **Set up OneDrive**: - On Windows: Sign in through the OneDrive app or your Microsoft account. - On macOS: Download the OneDrive app and sign in. 2. **Create a new vault in OneDrive**: - On Windows/macOS: 1. Open **File Explorer** (Windows) or **Finder** (macOS) and navigate to **OneDrive → Documents**. 2. Create a new folder (e.g., "Obsidian Vault"). 3. Open **Obsidian**, click **Create new vault**, and select the OneDrive folder. 3. **Open the vault on another device**: - On another device, open **Obsidian**, go to the [[Manage vaults|Vault switcher]], and select **Open folder as vault**. Navigate to **OneDrive → Documents**. > [!Note] OneDrive may not function well for Android syncing. Consider using apps like [Dropsync](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ttxapps.dropsync) or [FolderSync](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dk.tacit.android.foldersync.lite). > [!Tip] Best Practices: > - Always keep your vault files **Available Offline** by right-clicking the folder and selecting **Always keep on this device**. > - Avoid using OneDrive's **Files On-Demand** feature for vaults to prevent syncing issues. ## Google Drive **Recommended systems**: `Windows`, `macOS`, `Android` (limited functionality on iOS) [Google Drive](https://support.google.com/drive/answer/10838124?hl=en) is another popular cloud storage solution. Although it's not officially supported for syncing Obsidian vaults, you can use third-party apps and plugins to sync across devices. > [!Important] Google Drive is not officially supported for syncing Obsidian vaults on iOS. Consider using a third-party solution or plugin to sync on iOS. **How to create and store your vault in Google Drive**: 1. **Set up Google Drive**: - On Windows or macOS: Download the Google Drive app and sign in. - On Android: Ensure Google Drive is enabled and signed in. 2. **Create a new vault in Google Drive**: - On Windows/macOS: 1. Open **File Explorer** (Windows) or **Finder** (macOS) and navigate to **Google Drive**. 2. Create a new folder (e.g., "Obsidian Vault"). 3. Open **Obsidian**, click **Create new vault**, and select the Google Drive folder. 3. **Open the vault on another device**: - On another device, open **Obsidian**, go to the [[Manage vaults|Vault switcher]], and select **Open folder as vault**. Navigate to your Google Drive folder. > [!Tip] Best Practices: > - Set vault files to **Available Offline** in Google Drive to avoid syncing issues due to offloading. > - For iOS, consider alternative methods like [[Introduction to Obsidian Sync|Obsidian Sync]], [[#iCloud]], or use the **Remotely Save** plugin. ## Syncthing **Recommended systems**: `Windows`, `macOS`, `Linux`, `Android` Syncthing is a decentralized file synchronization tool that doesn't rely on cloud storage. It syncs your vault directly between devices over the network or internet. **How to create and store your vault using Syncthing**: 1. **Set up Syncthing**: - Install Syncthing on each device. Refer to the [Syncthing website](https://syncthing.net/) for installation guides. 2. **Create and configure a shared folder**: - On all devices: 1. Open Syncthing and create a shared folder. Set the folder path to your Obsidian vault. 2. Ensure the same folder is selected on all devices. 3. Configure folder syncing preferences (e.g., **Send & Receive** for bidirectional syncing). 3. **Open the vault in Obsidian**: - Once the folder is synced across devices, open **Obsidian**, go to the [[Manage vaults|Vault switcher]], and select **Open folder as vault**. > [!Note] Syncthing works best when at least one device is always on to ensure continuous syncing. > [!Tip] Best Practices: > - For local syncing, ensure all devices are connected to the same network. > - Exclude `.obsidian` from syncing if you want separate settings on each device. > - Use ignore patterns to avoid syncing temporary or backup files. ## Git **Recommended systems**: `Windows`, `macOS`, `Linux` **Git** is a version control system that allows you to track changes, collaborate with others, and sync your vaults through repositories like GitHub, GitLab, or a self-hosted server. **How to sync your vault using Git**: 1. **Set up a remote repository**: - Create a repository on a Git hosting platform (e.g., GitHub, GitLab, or a self-hosted server). 2. **Sync your vault**: 1. Open a terminal or Git GUI (e.g., GitKraken, Sourcetree). 2. Initialize a Git repository in your vault folder using `git init`. 3. Add the remote repository: `git remote add origin [URL]`. 4. Commit your changes: `git add .` and `git commit -m "Your message"`. 5. Push the changes: `git push origin main`. 3. **Pull changes on other devices**: - Clone the repository on another device and pull changes using `git pull origin main`. > [!Note] Git provides strong version control, but syncing isn't automatic. You must manually push and pull changes. ## iPhone and iPad syncing **Recommended options**: - [[Introduction to Obsidian Sync|Obsidian Sync]] - [[#iCloud]] > [!Important] Avoid syncing the same vault across multiple services (e.g., using both Obsidian Sync and iCloud simultaneously) to prevent data conflicts or corruption. **Unsupported options**: The following services aren't officially supported on iOS, but users have found workarounds using third-party tools or plugins: - Dropbox - Google Drive - OneDrive - Syncthing Some users have successfully used plugins like **Remotely Save** or **LiveSync** to sync vaults on iOS. However, these methods aren't officially supported, and results may vary. ### Working Copy **Recommended systems**: `iOS` **Requires**: [[#Git]] **Working Copy** is a Git client for iOS that allows you to clone, commit, and push changes to a Git repository. It works well for syncing Obsidian vaults via Git, though some features require a paid in-app purchase. **How to sync your vault using Working Copy**: 1. **Install Working Copy**: - Download the **[Working Copy](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/working-copy-git-client/id896694807)** app on your iPhone or iPad. 2. **Clone your Git repository**: - Open Working Copy, tap **Add Repository**, and enter your repository URL (e.g., GitHub, GitLab). 3. **Link repository to Obsidian**: - Link the cloned repository folder to an empty vault in **Obsidian**. 4. **Commit and push changes**: - After editing notes in Obsidian, use Working Copy to **Commit** and **Push** changes to the remote repository. - On other devices, pull changes using Git to sync the vault. > [!Note] While Working Copy isn't officially supported, many users have successfully used it to sync vaults with Git. ## Comparison Each sync method has tradeoffs including cost, privacy and features. | | End-to-end<br>encryption | Version<br>history | | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------ | ------------------ | | [[Introduction to Obsidian Sync\|Obsidian Sync]] | ✅ | ✅ | | iCloud | Optional | ❌ | | OneDrive | ❌ | ❌ | | Google Drive | ❌ | ❌ | | Syncthing | Optional | ✅ | | Git | ❌ | ✅ | ## Frequently asked questions **Why is my preferred syncing service not officially supported?** Unlike some note-taking apps that access one file at a time, Obsidian requires access to the entire vault for its features (e.g., updating links when renaming a file). This makes it difficult for some services to function reliably with Obsidian. **Why do I need to keep files "Available Offline"?** If services like OneDrive or iCloud offload files (e.g., using **Files On-Demand** or **Optimize Mac Storage**), Obsidian can't access them, causing sync issues. Mark your vault folder as **Always keep on this device** (OneDrive) or ensure **Keep Downloaded** is enabled (iCloud). **How do I manage different configurations for my vaults?** Obsidian allows you to customize the configuration folder per device using the [[Configuration folder|Config folders]] feature.