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Obsidian Sync Free - Sync Obsidian Across Devices

TLDR

The best free option to sync Obsidian between devices is SyncThing - an open source, bidirectional, encrypted solution. To install it, follow the next steps:

  1. Have Obsidian installed on your devices. We'll assume you're syncing between a laptop and a smartphone, but the steps are the same for any device you add.
  2. Install SyncThing on your devices (smartphone, laptop, etc. )
  3. On your laptop, open SyncThing (will open a web server, accessible through http://127.0.0.1:8384/ by default - localhost with port 8384). On top right, click on Actions and Show ID. A QR code will pop up.
  4. On your smartphone, after you allow the requested permissions:
    1. Go to Devices (second tab)
    2. Click the + button on top right corner
    3. Near Device ID, click on the QR code button and scan the QR that's on your computer screen.
    4. Give it a name and click on top right corner button "done".
  5. On your computer, SyncThing should tell that a new device wants to connect. Click on "Add device". Your devices are now connected.
  6. Now let's sync Obsidian. On your computer:
    1. Click on "Add folder"
    2. Change "Folder Label" with any name you want.
    3. Change "Folder Path" with Obsidian's vault path.
    4. Switch to "Sharing" tab. Select the device you want your vault to be shared to.
  7. On your smartphone, you will see a notification that says other device wants to share a folder.
    1. Click Accept.
    2. Write a folder name.
    3. Choose the location on your phone you want your Vault to be stored.
    4. Click on the upper right corner.

That's it. Now you have Obsidian Sync for Free.

Obsidian is amazing!

I'm sure you know what Obsidian is by now - an amazing note-taking tool with an infinite number of possible configurations and features. Everyone loves it for different reasons; and of course we do! It gives us database capabilities, graphs, maps our knowledge in interconnected nodes, it has a canvas view .. and so much more.

But, the top 3 features for sure are:

  1. Your Data, Your Control: Obsidian saves all your data locally in Markdown (.md) format, ensuring that you retain full control and ownership of your information.
  2. Community Plugins: Unlock the full potential of Obsidian with its extensive collection of free plugins developed by the passionate community. These plugins cater to a wide range of use cases, and you can even create your own using JavaScript.
  3. Completely Free: Obsidian offers its powerful features and functionalities completely free of charge, making it accessible to everyone.

There's only one catch - if you want to be able to sync your data, you have to pay. It is a small fee ( around 8$ monthly, at the time of writing) - but to some people, it may be a bit too much at the moment.

So, if you're a student or you just want to keep everything free (though I'd strongly recommend buying it if possible), there's one amazing way of syncing between an unlimited number of devices. There are many ways, but I'll just show you the best one, completely free, encrypted, easiest to use and, frankly, the one you should be using as an enthusiast.

We'll be using an open source solution called Syncthing.

Steps to get free Obsidian Sync (using SyncThing)

To set up a free synchronization solution for Obsidian across multiple devices, using SyncThing, follow these detailed steps. The process involves installing Obsidian and SyncThing on your devices, pairing devices via SyncThing, and configuring Obsidian vaults for synchronization.

This guide assumes you are syncing between a laptop and a computer, but the procedure is identical for any additional devices. Here are the necessary links:

Step 1. Install Obsidian on Your Devices

    • Ensure that Obsidian is installed on all devices you intend to sync. This could include a combination of laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets. For this case, use a smartphone and a laptop (computer)

Step 2. Install SyncThing on Your Devices:

    • Download and install SyncThing, an open-source, bidirectional, encrypted file synchronization tool. It’s available for various operating systems and platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
    • Follow the installation instructions specific to your device's operating system.

Step 3: Configure SyncThing on Your Laptop:

    • Open SyncThing. It runs as a local web server and can be accessed via a web browser at http://127.0.0.1:8384/ by default. This address corresponds to localhost at port 8384.
    • In the SyncThing interface, navigate to the top right corner, click on 'Actions', and then select 'Show ID'. A unique ID for your laptop, represented as a QR code, will appear.

Step 4: Pair Your Smartphone with Your Laptop:

    • On your smartphone, open SyncThing and navigate to the 'Devices' tab, usually the second tab in the interface.
    • Tap the '+' button, located at the top right corner, to add a new device.
    • Near the 'Device ID' field, tap the QR code button and scan the QR code displayed on your laptop's screen. This action pairs your smartphone with your laptop.
    • Assign a name to this connection for easy identification and tap the 'done' button in the top right corner.
    • Back on your laptop, a notification from SyncThing will indicate that a new device (your smartphone) wants to connect. Click on 'Add device' to confirm the connection.

Step 5: Configure Obsidian Vault Synchronization on Your Laptop:

    • In SyncThing, select 'Add folder'.
    • Enter a preferred name for the 'Folder Label' to identify the Obsidian vault in SyncThing.
    • Provide the 'Folder Path', which indicates the location of your Obsidian vault on your laptop.
    • Switch to the 'Sharing' tab and select the device (your smartphone, in this case) with which you want to share your Obsidian vault.

Step 6: Accept the Shared Folder on Your Smartphone:

    • On your smartphone, SyncThing will display a notification indicating that another device (your laptop) wants to share a folder.
    • Tap 'Accept' on this notification.
    • Enter a name for the folder that will store your Obsidian vault on your smartphone.
    • Choose the location on your smartphone where you want this vault to be stored.
    • Finalize the setup by tapping the button in the upper right corner.

By following these steps, you can achieve free synchronization of your Obsidian notes across multiple devices using SyncThing. This secure and free alternative to Obsidian Sync ensures that you retain control and access to your valuable data without the need for a paid subscription. Enjoy the seamless experience of using Obsidian, unlocking the full potential of your note-taking endeavors.

Published by:

Constantin