Mobile Explorer

approvedunreviewed

by Marc Panu

Replace the file explorer with an Apple Notes-style drill-down navigator.

★ 4 stars↓ 2,939 downloadsUpdated 2mo agoMIT

Mobile Explorer

Replace the default Obsidian file explorer with an Apple Notes-style drill-down navigator. Tap a folder to push into it, swipe or tap back to return. Works on both mobile and desktop.

Screenshots

Mobile

Mobile

Desktop

Desktop

Features

  • Drill-down navigation — tap a folder to push into it, back button or swipe to return
  • Grouped sections — folders and notes displayed in separate card groups
  • File metadata — notes show relative modification dates (Today, Yesterday, Jan 4, etc.)
  • Item counts — folder and note counts in the header, child counts on each folder
  • Native context menu — right-click (desktop) or long press (mobile) for the full Obsidian file menu
  • Print notes — "Print note" in the context menu (and command palette). On desktop it opens the system print dialog; on mobile it renders the note to a formatted PDF and opens the native share sheet, where you can print (AirPrint or a printer app), save to Files, or share it
  • Swipe-back gesture — swipe right to navigate to the parent folder on mobile
  • Slide animations — iOS-style push/pop transitions between folders
  • Responsive sizing — compact layout on desktop, touch-optimized on mobile

Installation

From Obsidian community plugins

Search for "Mobile Explorer" in Settings > Community plugins > Browse.

With BRAT (beta testing)

  1. Install BRAT from community plugins
  2. In BRAT settings, add beta plugin: marcpanu/obsidian-mobile-explorer

Manual

Copy main.js, manifest.json, and styles.css into your vault at .obsidian/plugins/mobile-explorer/.

Printing

Obsidian mobile has no built-in print or PDF export, and the system share sheet only receives the raw markdown file (no print option). This plugin adds one:

  • Mobile — long-press a note > Print note. The note is rendered and converted to a paginated PDF (headings, lists, checkboxes, code blocks, quotes, callouts, tables, links, and vault images), then handed to the native share sheet. From there use Print, AirPrint, a printer app, or Save to Files. If the webview can't share files, the PDF is saved next to the note instead.
  • Desktop — right-click a note > Print note opens the system print dialog with the rendered note.
  • Also available as the Print current note command, and in Obsidian's own file menus.

The mobile PDF uses the standard PDF fonts, which cover Latin scripts plus common typographic symbols; emoji and CJK characters are omitted. Diagrams (Mermaid) and math blocks are not included.

License

MIT

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