---
title: "Mobile sync (Syncthing)"
description: "How your desktop vault and Galaxy S26+ stay in sync."
source: "Obsidian Academy"
source_url: https://obsidian-academy.pages.dev/setup/03-mobile-sync/
saved: 2026-05-16
tags: [obsidian-academy, saved-from-web, setup]
---

This page is the deployment record of what's running on your machine. For the bigger picture, see [Basics → Sync via Syncthing](/basics/06-sync-via-syncthing/).

## What's installed

### On ZenBook A16

| Component | Where | Auto-start |
|---|---|---|
| `syncthing.exe` (native ARM64) | `C:\Users\justi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WinGet\Packages\Syncthing.Syncthing_Microsoft.Winget.Source_8wekyb3d8bbwe\syncthing-windows-arm64-v2.1.0\` | ✅ Shortcut in Startup folder |
| Syncthing Tray (native ARM64) | `C:\Users\justi\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WinGet\Packages\Martchus.syncthingtray_Microsoft.Winget.Source_8wekyb3d8bbwe\` | ✅ Shortcut in Startup folder |
| Web UI | `http://127.0.0.1:8384` | Available when daemon is running |
| Config | `C:\Users\justi\AppData\Local\Syncthing\config.xml` | Contains API key (keep private) |
| Auto-start shortcuts | `%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\` | `syncthing.lnk` + `SyncthingTray.lnk` |

### On Galaxy S26+

| Component | Source | Critical setting |
|---|---|---|
| Syncthing-Fork | F-Droid (`com.github.catfriend1.syncthingandroid`) | "Force start, ignore run conditions" enabled |
| Battery | Settings → Apps → Syncthing-Fork → Battery | **"Unrestricted"** |
| Sleeping apps list | Settings → Battery → Background usage limits | Syncthing-Fork in "Never sleeping apps" |
| Vault location | `/storage/emulated/0/Documents/Obsidian/WhittechAI` | Must be shared storage, not app-private |
| Obsidian app | Play Store | Opens the synced folder as a vault |

## The folder being synced

- **PC side:** `C:\Vault\WhittechAI`
- **Phone side:** `/storage/emulated/0/Documents/Obsidian/WhittechAI`
- **Folder ID** (must match on both ends): `whittechai-vault`
- **Folder label:** `WhittechAI`
- **Type:** Send & Receive (bidirectional)
- **Versioning:** Trashcan (30 day retention of deleted files)
- **File watcher:** Enabled (instant detection of changes)
- **Ignore permissions:** Yes (recommended for cross-platform)

## Verifying it works

Edit `00-Inbox/inbox.md` from your desktop, save, wait ~30 sec, check phone. Then reverse. If both directions sync, you're good.

If sync stalls, in order:

1. Check phone Syncthing-Fork status icon — green good, yellow = idle, red = stopped, gray = manually stopped
2. Check PC web UI at `http://127.0.0.1:8384` → "Other Devices" → phone should be **Connected**
3. Look for `~conflict~` files in the vault — these block sync until resolved
4. As a last resort: restart Syncthing on either side

## API access (for skills + automation)

The Obsidian Local REST API plugin exposes `https://127.0.0.1:27124` with your personal API key (stored in Obsidian's settings — never check it into source control).

This API is what powers the Claude Code Obsidian MCP. It's also the endpoint you'd hit from a phone shortcut (see Tailscale page for cross-network access).

## What we changed during setup

- Picked Syncthing Tray over SyncTrayzor (native ARM)
- Forced ARM64 architecture during `winget install` to ensure no x64 emulation
- Set up Startup folder shortcuts (rather than Task Scheduler — simpler, doesn't need admin)
- Discovered Samsung battery optimization was suspending Syncthing-Fork; fixed via "Force start, ignore run conditions" + unrestricted battery