Obsidian Android Deleting Synced Attachments
Workaround available Android Updated October 21, 2026
Quick answer
On Android, Google Photos or the system media scanner can manage and remove images that Obsidian Sync downloaded. Obsidian's official fix is adding a .nomedia file to the vault folder on the phone.
Most likely fix: Add a .nomedia file.
Symptoms
Images and attachments synced to an Android phone vanish, then get re-uploaded or deleted on other devices; notes show 'not created yet' for images.
Why it happens
- Android/Google Photos treating vault images as gallery media
- Photo cleanup or backup tools deleting 'duplicates'
How to fix it
Try these in order — the most common fix is first.
1. Add a .nomedia file
- Install the 'Android Nomedia' community plugin, or create an empty file named .nomedia in the vault root with a file manager
- Note: .nomedia files are not synced by Obsidian Sync, so add it on each Android device
2. Restore lost attachments
- Restore removed attachments from Obsidian Sync version history on another device
This guide also covers
- obsidian android deleting images
- obsidian sync attachments disappear android
- obsidian nomedia
Still not working?
If Obsidian keeps failing, you're not alone. See every Obsidian problem users report or the alternatives people switch to.
Other Obsidian errors
- Obsidian Sync Not Working or Stuck Syncing
- Obsidian Sync Restoring Deleted Files and Conflict Copies
- Obsidian iCloud Sync Not Working or Creating Duplicates
- Obsidian Stuck on Loading Cache or Slow to Start
- Obsidian Mobile Slow to Open on iPhone and Android
- Obsidian Community Plugins Not Loading or Stuck in Restricted Mode
- Obsidian Black or White Screen on Startup
- Obsidian Images Not Showing in Notes
- Obsidian Search Not Finding Notes (Stuck Index)