The goal of this post is to setup a data sync workflow of Obsidian notes between Android and Linux.

  • Obsidian Sync Workflow

1. Install DropSync App on Android

This app syncs a folder on mobile device with a folder in DropBox

  • Here is my setup of DropSync

    • Source <-> DropSync <-> Destination

    • Folder on Mobile Disk <-> DropSync <-> Folder in Dropbox

    • /storage/emulated/0/DropsyncFiles(This is the absolute path of the folder in my mobile device) <-> DropSync <-> /DropsyncFiles(This is the absolute path of the Dropbox folder in my mobile device)

  • DropSync

2. Install Obsidian on Android

  • Launch Obsidian

    • -> Create new vault -> Enter vault name as srk-obsidian-vault -> Vault location

    • Select vault location as /storage/emulated/0/DropsyncFiles
    • Now, the absolute path of obsidian vault in android device is
      • /storage/emulated/0/DropsyncFiles/srk-obsidian-vault
  • Select Vault folder and open in Obsidian. Sample screenshot below having a file in my obsidian vault.
  • Obsidian

3. Install Obsidian on Linux

  • Prerequisite: DropBox already installed in Linux Mint
  • Download *.deb version of Obsidian in my Linux Mint and install
    • Obsidian Deb installer
  • Install Obsidian
    • Obsidian Installer
  • Finally, click on the vault folder on the left pane and start writing your notes. :)
  • Publishing notes from Linux
    • When contributing from Laptop your vault folder is in Dropbox and for every keystroke in *.md file of Obsidian application the file is synced to Dropbox
  • Publishing notes from Android
    • But, while contributing from Android device, the data is stored in your device file structure i.e.,
      • /storage/emulated/0/DropsyncFiles/srk-obsidian-vault
      • And DropSync will sync this folder with your folder in Dropbox i.e., /storage/emulated/0/DropsyncFiles based on the sync settings.
      • The default auto sync schedule for every 2 hours.
      • If you want to sync immediately Goto DropSync App and at the top right click on Sync ICON that will start syncing immediately.
      • Workflow from Android Device
        • Do manual sync from DropSync app - Downloads if there are changes in Dropbox folder
        • Do your edits in Obsidian
        • Again do manual Sync in DropSync app - Uploads if there are changes in your device folder

        • It’s just like git pull, git commit, and git push

References

  1. Obsidian
  2. DropSync Android App
  3. Obsidian in Android to DropBox
  4. What is /storage/emulated/0/?