VaultSync for Obsidian
Self-Hosted Syncthing Notes
Free · In-App Purchases · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.
Your Obsidian vault on your own server — private, offline-first, no third-party cloud. Now safer with multiple vaults and faster over local Wi-Fi.
Your Obsidian vault, on your own server, synced to iPhone and iPad — peer-to-peer with Syncthing, no managed note cloud in the middle.
VaultSync is the missing iOS bridge for people who already trust Syncthing with their notes. If your vault lives on your Mac, Linux box, NAS, or homeserver, VaultSync lets your iPhone and iPad join that setup — without moving anything into iCloud, Dropbox, or someone else's note-sync service. It syncs straight into Obsidian's iOS sandbox, so you open Obsidian and your vault is just there.
WHY VAULTSYNC
- Direct peer-to-peer sync between your devices and your own server.
- Your Markdown never passes through our servers. We can't read, index, store, or proxy your notes — because they never reach us.
- No account. No sign-up. No analytics SDK. No tracking.
SET UP IN MINUTES
- Pair with your desktop or server by scanning a Syncthing QR code (Device ID).
- Pick the vaults you want on this device.
- Open Obsidian — your notes are already in place.
BUILT FOR REAL VAULTS
- Markdown conflict resolver with side-by-side diffs, so you decide which version wins.
- Sync activity timeline that shows what moved and when.
- A "Sync Issues" panel with clear, actionable diagnostics instead of cryptic errors.
- Quiet conflict notifications that update in place instead of spamming a new banner on every sync.
HONEST ABOUT iOS SYNC
iOS does not let third-party apps run a sync daemon in the background, and we won't pretend otherwise:
- Server to iPhone/iPad: near-realtime incoming sync when the optional Cloud Relay delivers a silent push.
- iPhone/iPad to server: most reliable when you open VaultSync. Background refresh can help opportunistically, but iOS decides when it runs.
CLOUD RELAY (OPTIONAL)
A small subscription (monthly or yearly) that sends a silent wake-up push the moment your server has changes, so incoming sync feels instant without opening the app. The relay only ever sees a wake-up signal — your Device ID, an APNs token, and a transaction ID. It never sees your note content, Markdown, filenames, folder names, vault structure, or any metadata. It needs a free Docker sidecar ("vaultsync-notify") on your server. VaultSync works fully without Cloud Relay — the relay only makes incoming sync faster.
SUPPORT VAULTSYNC (OPTIONAL)
Two one-time contributions — Small and Big — for people who want to support the project. They are a tip jar. They unlock nothing, and the app stays completely functional without them.
REQUIREMENTS
- iPhone or iPad on iOS/iPadOS 18 or later.
- Syncthing already running on a Mac, Linux machine, NAS, or homeserver.
- Obsidian installed on your device (for the vault to open into).
PRIVACY & OPEN SOURCE
VaultSync is peer-to-peer by design. There is no managed note cloud, no telemetry, and nothing to sign into. The app is open source under the MPL-2.0 license — read the code, build it yourself, or contribute.
VaultSync is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Obsidian or Syncthing. "Obsidian" and "Syncthing" are trademarks of their respective owners.
more Your device connections are now protected after a crash — just update, nothing to set up.
• Fixed: after a hard crash or an interrupted start, VaultSync could quietly introduce itself as a brand-new device — your other devices then treated it as a stranger waiting for approval.
• Now VaultSync keeps its saved identity: on any unclear state it stops with a clear error instead of replacing it, and it recovers by itself on the next start after a temporary glitch.
• Your existing device pairings, notes, and settings stay exactly as they are.
• Also includes a small security update to one of the app's underlying components.
2.0.1 28 Jul
Prove your sync — VaultSync 2.0 can verify a real round trip with your own server.
• New optional check: send one tiny signed test file to your server helper and verify its signed reply coming back — upload, download, and the full round trip are shown separately and honestly.
• You stay in control: the check only exists after you pair with your server by QR code and approve a dedicated, visible check area next to your notes.
• No exaggerated results: a partial result stays partial, late or copied replies never count, and the check never claims your whole library is in sync.
• Works with server helper 2.0.2 or newer; older helpers simply show the check as not available.
2.0.0 22 Jul
You decide where every shared vault syncs — and every vault you have now shows up in the list.
• New "Choose Vault…" option: pick the folder and name yourself when accepting a shared vault.
• Nothing merges silently: a share never syncs into a folder that already contains files without your approval, and a removed vault stays removed until you accept it again.
• The vault list now shows every vault in your Obsidian folder — including ones not syncing yet, with a hint on how to start them.
• Your Obsidian folder is recognized reliably again, even with leftovers from an earlier setup inside it — and the status stays honest everywhere, including the home-screen widget.
1.8.1 8 Jul
A new vault can no longer end up inside an existing vault.
• Every vault now syncs into its own folder — a new vault is never placed inside another vault again.
• If this already happened on your device, VaultSync detects it, pauses the affected vaults, and guides you through separating them safely.
• When you select a single vault as your Obsidian folder, VaultSync now tells you right away how to prepare for more vaults.
1.7.2 7 Jul
Multiple vaults from one computer no longer get merged into one folder.
FIXED
• No more merged vaults — when one computer shared several vaults, the second could be pointed at the same local folder as the first, mixing their contents and pushing the mix back to every device. Each vault now always syncs into its own folder, and two vaults can never share one location.
• Already-mixed setups are caught — if an earlier version had already merged two vaults, VaultSync now detects it on launch, pauses the affected vaults to stop further mixing, and shows you how to separate them.
• Sync Filters: pasting a whole list works — the Add pattern field accepts multiple lines, so you can paste a list of filters and each line becomes its own entry. Blank lines and comments are skipped.
• Your filter list keeps its order — removing or changing a filter no longer reshuffles the rest.
IMPROVED
• Faster, more reliable syncing on the same Wi-Fi — VaultSync now finds your other devices on the local network directly, instead of detouring through the internet.
1.7.1 15 Jun
Settings conflicts now resolve themselves.
NEW
• Settings conflicts resolve themselves — conflicts in Obsidian's settings and plugin data (the .obsidian folder) are resolved automatically, the newest version wins. Your notes are never touched: a real note conflict still waits for your decision. Opt out anytime in Settings → Conflicts.
IMPROVED
• Much faster reconnect after opening the app — VaultSync remembers where each device was last reached and dials that address right away, and gives up on dead addresses sooner so the fallback kicks in faster. A one-time Local Network prompt lets devices on the same Wi-Fi connect directly.
• A calm launch instead of false alarms — reconnecting after a launch is normal warm-up, and the app now treats it that way: a small spinner and "Connecting…" instead of warnings. Devices that stay away read as a neutral "Offline"; paused devices are labeled "Paused".
• Conflict counts now mean files, not copies — one busy file with many conflict copies no longer reads as "10 conflicts" when there is a single decision to make.
• Cloud Relay setup is now one step — the setup screen leads with the single line you run on your server; everything manual is tucked into "Manual & advanced setup".
• Smoother startup — the sync engine's launch work no longer blocks the interface.
1.7.0 12 Jun
Sync that catches up on its own.
NEW
• Missed wake-ups now fix themselves — if your iPhone was offline too long, your server re-sends a wake-up until every device is back in sync. (Update the vaultsync-notify helper on your server to enable this.)
• Overnight catch-up — while your iPhone charges, iOS grants VaultSync extra background time to finish large syncs. You wake up to an up-to-date vault.
• See what Cloud Relay delivers — Relay Diagnostics counts the wake-ups received in the last 7 days (stored on your device only), warns when Low Power Mode defers them, and explains why force-quitting the app stops them.
• Instant uploads — a new guide shows the one-time Shortcuts automation that syncs your edits to your server seconds after you leave Obsidian.
IMPROVED
• A calmer home screen: consistent cards, full status for every vault, and every error now carries a real fix button.
• Friendlier first run — guided empty states, and a setup checklist you can tap to jump straight to each step.
• The Cloud Relay offer no longer switches tabs on its own; it waits as a dismissable card.
• Accessibility: larger touch targets, VoiceOver labels on the widget, correct colors in increased-contrast mode.
1.6.0 11 Jun
CLOUD RELAY ACTIVATES ITSELF
After you subscribe, the server helper now proves it's working on its own: the moment it starts it sends one wake-up, and VaultSync flips to "Cloud Relay active" by itself — no waiting for the next change, nothing to confirm. Subscribed but your server never reached this device? A reactivation card points you to the one step left. And the Cloud Relay screen now tells the truth at a glance: not active yet, active, or went quiet.
NO API KEY TO COPY
Setting up the server helper no longer asks you to open the Syncthing web UI and paste an API key — it reads the key straight from Syncthing's config. The in-app command and Docker Compose are key-free; the only thing you choose is the relay URL.
VAULTS THAT FIND THEIR WAY BACK
iOS can move where an app stores its data — after an update, a restore from backup, or switching to a new iPhone or iPad. That could strand a vault on "VaultSync cannot access this folder," with no way to fix it. VaultSync now re-checks each vault's location every time it opens and quietly puts it right. After a restore or a move to a new device, reconnecting your Obsidian folder once gets every vault syncing again — onto your existing notes, with nothing to re-download.
A CLEAR WAY OUT
If a vault really can't be reached, VaultSync now says so plainly and offers one tap to reconnect it to your Obsidian folder or remove it from this device — instead of an error with no escape. Every vault also gained a Remove action in its details.
SAFER SYNC FILTERS
A brief read hiccup can no longer overwrite your custom Sync Filters with the defaults.
As always, your notes stay on your own devices and your own server — peer-to-peer, with no note cloud in between.
1.5.1 5 Jun
A FRESH, FOCUSED DESIGN
VaultSync now opens into a tabbed home — Sync, Devices, and Cloud Relay — led by a status header that tells you one thing at a glance: all synced, syncing, or needs attention. A consistent look carries through light and dark mode, and every status pairs a clear icon and label with its color, so it reads the same for VoiceOver and color-blind users.
SETUP THAT ACTUALLY RUNS
Onboarding no longer just describes the steps — each one launches the real task: pick your Obsidian folder, pair a device, scan a QR code. Steps light up as you finish them.
CLOUD RELAY, IN ONE PLACE
Cloud Relay moved into its own tab with an honest, plain-language status: it shows "active" only when wake-ups are really being delivered, and otherwise walks you through the one-time server helper. Subscribe, set up, and verify now live together — no more digging through Settings.
- A yearly plan alongside monthly, with the saving shown up front; prices always come straight from the App Store for your region.
- The relay verifies your subscription with Apple and enforces expiry.
- An iPhone and iPad sharing one server now both receive wake-ups.
CLEARER, SAFER CONFLICTS
Keep This / Keep Both / Keep Other are now full-width buttons that always confirm before changing any files.
FIXES & POLISH
- The Home Screen widget can no longer show a false "all good" on an unknown status, and it now supports VoiceOver.
- The vault list shows your actual Obsidian vaults instead of the raw sync folder.
- More reliable background sync, quieter conflict notifications, and the server-side helper no longer restarts in a loop when a subscription is inactive.
- Fuller German, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese translations throughout.
1.5.0 3 Jun
Version 1.4.0 is all about a calmer, more reliable sync.
QUIETER CONFLICT NOTIFICATIONS
No more banner spam. The conflict notification now updates a single alert in place instead of re-lighting your screen on every background sync. It only alerts when the conflict count actually grows, refreshes quietly when it shrinks, and clears itself the moment the last conflict is resolved.
MUTE THE CONFLICT BANNER ON ITS OWN
A new Settings → Notifications toggle silences the conflict banner without disabling iOS notifications for the whole app. Muting it no longer makes Cloud Relay look broken.
CLOUD RELAY HEALTH, REPORTED HONESTLY
Turning off notifications no longer falsely flags Cloud Relay as broken. Silent push wake-ups don't need alert permission, so relay health is now judged by what actually matters — your subscription, APNs token, provisioning, and a recent wake-up — with alert permission shown as a separate, informational row.
MORE RELIABLE BACKGROUND SYNC
- A single-flight guard stops two overlapping wake-ups from tearing down each other's sync.
- The push time budget is now measured from the start of the run, so a slow setup can't overrun iOS's window.
- A folder stuck in an error state no longer burns the whole background deadline or raises a misleading timeout.
CORRECT PRICING EVERYWHERE
Cloud Relay's price now comes straight from the App Store for your region — no more mixed currencies on the subscribe screen.
SUPPORT VAULTSYNC
A new optional "Support VaultSync" section adds two one-time contributions. They unlock nothing; the app stays fully functional without them.
FULL SPANISH LOCALIZATION
VaultSync is now fully localized in Spanish, alongside English, German, and Simplified Chinese — and the conflict-notification text is localized too.
1.4.0 31 May
- Improved logic when skipping files from sync.
- Smoother display when reconnecting after the app has been idle.
1.3.2 24 May
• Fixed: tapping "Resolve Conflicts" on the home screen no longer also opens the browser.
• Cleaner home screen — the page title is gone and devices show just their name. Tap a device to see its full Syncthing ID.
• Cleaner Cloud Relay settings — devices that are already provisioned are no longer listed.
• Sync Issue titles are now properly translated in German and Simplified Chinese.
1.3.1 18 May
VaultSync 1.3.0 makes syncing from your iPhone to your desktop feel instant.
- Pull-to-refresh on the vault list — swipe down to force an immediate sync, just like Mail or Files
- VaultSync now scans your vaults automatically when you reopen the app, so edits made in Obsidian show up on your desktop without the close-and-reopen workaround
- Faster fallback when iOS misses a file-change event: the safety-net rescan now runs every minute instead of every hour
1.3.0 11 May
Sync Filters — A new per-vault screen to choose which files sync to this iPhone, with one-tap presets in plain language.
• Toggle Git repositories, Workspace state, Trash, macOS metadata, Copilot index, and Obsidian app cache without learning pattern syntax.
• See actual MB savings — VaultSync scans your vault and shows the real size of heavy folders so you know what's worth skipping.
• "Always skip on this iPhone" right inside conflict resolution — one tap permanently excludes a clashing file from this device.
• First-run intro on each new vault, custom patterns editor for power users.
1.2.0 10 May
In this update, we’ve made getting started with VaultSync even easier and tidied up the settings. Here is what's new for you:
A Quicker Start: Getting started is now a breeze with a short, two-screen introduction. The actual setup has been moved right to your home screen—exactly where you already manage your devices, vaults, and syncing.
Clearer Status Overview: The old setup guide in your Settings is now a handy live status view. You can instantly see what's working perfectly, what still needs your attention, and exactly how to fix it.
Actionable Shared Vaults: If someone shares a vault with you, it's now much clearer when you still need to accept it. Syncing will only show as "ready" once you have at least one fully active vault.
Tidier Settings: We’ve removed some of the technical clutter to keep your settings menu clean and simple. Device discovery now just works smoothly in the background by default.
New Languages: The updated setup and status screens are now fully translated and available in English, German, and Simplified Chinese.
iOS 18 Support: VaultSync is now fully optimized for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 (and newer).
1.1.0 24 Apr
What's New
▸ Faster and more reliable background sync when changes happen on your server
▸ Improved recovery if iOS wakes VaultSync in the background
▸ Cleaner diagnostics screen
▸ Simple device log in Settings
Important: Changes from your server should arrive on iPhone more reliably in the background. Changes made directly on iPhone are still most reliable when you open VaultSync.
1.0.2 14 Apr
What's New in 1.0.1
Smarter Sync — Obsidian workspace files and the Trash folder are now automatically excluded from sync, preventing the most common conflicts
Reliable Push Notifications — Cloud Relay token management improved — push sync now self-heals when device tokens rotate
Cleaner Home Screen — Activity section streamlined to a single timeline link
Permissions Fix — Accepted folder shares now correctly ignore file permissions, fixing sync failures in Docker environments
1.0.1 12 Apr
Your device connections are now protected after a crash — just update, nothing to set up.
• Fixed: after a hard crash or an interrupted start, VaultSync could quietly introduce itself as a brand-new device — your other devices then treated it as a stranger waiting for approval.
• Now VaultSync keeps its saved identity: on any unclear state it stops with a clear error instead of replacing it, and it recovers by itself on the next start after a temporary glitch.
• Your existing device pairings, notes, and settings stay exactly as they are.
• Also includes a small security update to one of the app's underlying components.
more Version 2.0.1 28 Jul
Data Not Linked to You The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity: