Switch to Obsidian Sync

Learn how to transition from your current syncing solution to Obsidian Sync.

Avoid using multiple solutions to sync the same files

We do not recommend using Obsidian Sync alongside cloud storage services (e.g. iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive) as this can cause conflicts. However, cloud storage services may play a role in your backup strategy.

Move your vault out of your third-party syncing service or cloud storage

If your vault is stored in any of the following locations, it's likely being synced by a third-party service:

  • Windows: C:\Users\Username\Desktop or C:\Users\Username\Documents
  • macOS: /users/username/Desktop or /users/username/Documents
  • iOS: The iCloud folder within the Files app
  • Other: Any folder under a syncing service, such as Drive/my-vault, Dropbox/my-vault, pSync/my-vault, etc.

While Android and Linux tend to have fewer issues with this, it's still worth checking your vault location on these devices.

If your current local vault is connected to a remote vault, Obsidian will try to detect if the vault is in a syncing service. If it is, you will see a message at the top of Obsidian Sync's settings.

To avoid conflicts with syncing services, we recommend storing your Obsidian vaults in the following locations:

  • Windows: Recommended locations in order:
    1. D:\ or any other non-C, non-network drive on your device
    2. C:\Vaults (if you have permissions to use the C:\ drive)
    3. C:\Users\Username\Vaults (if you must keep your vault within C:\Users\Username, make sure OneDrive is set not to remove files. OneDrive is generally less aggressive outside of Desktop and Documents folders.)
  • macOS: /users/username/vaults
  • Linux: No specific recommendation due to the variety of filesystems. Just ensure that Obsidian has full read/write access and that no syncing service manages the folder.
  • iOS/iPadOS: Store the vault On My iPhone or On the Device.
  • Android: Use the Documents/ folder on your device.

Move your vault using Obsidian on desktop

Move vault to a different folder

  1. On your computer, open Obsidian.
  2. At the bottom left, select the Vault profile ( lucide-chevrons-up-down.svg > icon).
  3. A context menu will pop up. Select Manage Vaults....
  4. Close the current vault window, leaving the Manage Vaults window open.
  5. In the vault list, select More options ( lucide-more-horizontal.svg > icon ) next to the vault you want to move.
  6. Select Move vault, and then select the new location.

Some operating systems do not allow the vault to be moved with the Vault Switcher. In these cases, you will need to move your vault manually:

  1. Close Obsidian.
  2. Move your vault folder to a new location, avoiding folders synced by other services.
  3. Reopen Obsidian.
  4. Click the Vault profile icon at the bottom left ( lucide-chevrons-up-down.svg > icon).
  5. From the pop-up menu, select Manage Vaults....
  6. Next to Open folder as vault, click Open.
  7. Navigate to and select your new vault folder.
  8. Click Open.
  9. Verify that the vault contents are unchanged. If necessary, re-enable community plugins by navigating to Settings → Community Plugins → Turn restricted mode off.

Move your vault on mobile

On mobile devices, Obsidian operates in a sandboxed environment, meaning you cannot move vaults within the app like you can on desktop.

Android

Android filesystems vary greatly by device, but generally, follow the same steps as you would to move your vault manually, ensuring it is removed from any syncing service on your device.

iOS and iPadOS

To move an existing iCloud vault to your device, follow these steps:

If you already have the data on another device and have set up Obsidian Sync, it's recommended to set up a new local vault from Sync instead.
  • Back up your vault.
  • Create a new vault on your device, ensuring Save in iCloud Drive is disabled.
  • Force quit the Obsidian app on all devices to pause Sync.
  • Open the Files app on your iOS/iPadOS device.
  • Long-press the vault folder under iCloud Drive → Obsidian, then select Move.
  • Move the vault to On My iPhone/Device → Obsidian and confirm that it's now visible.
  • Tap Copy.
  • Return to iCloud Drive → Obsidian and delete the old vault folder.

Once you reopen Obsidian, the vault should show a vault icon instead of a cloud icon, confirming it is no longer in iCloud Drive. Obsidian Sync will also no longer display the warning message within its settings.

Next steps