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Installing Obsidian

Getting Started on Android

First, you need to install the Obsidian app. It's available for free on the Google Play Store. Search for "Obsidian" and look for the official app with the purple and black crystal logo.

Lesson image

Once the app is installed, open it. The first thing you'll be asked to do is create a "vault."

A vault is simply a folder on your device where all your notes, attachments, and settings for a particular collection of notes will be stored. Think of it as a dedicated digital notebook.

Tap on Create new vault. You'll need to give it a name. Something simple like "My Notes" or "Personal Vault" works well. After naming it, you'll choose where to store this folder on your device. For simplicity, you can let it save to the default location it suggests.

Your First Look

With your vault created, you'll land on a clean, empty screen. This is your digital canvas. Before you start writing, it's helpful to know about a couple of key settings.

Tap the gear icon in the bottom-left corner to open the settings. Let's look at two important options under the Editor section:

SettingWhat it Does
Default editing modeControls how you see your notes while writing. Live Preview shows you a formatted view as you type, while Source mode shows the raw Markdown text. Most people prefer Live Preview.
Readable line lengthToggles whether your text fills the whole screen width or stays in a more narrow, centered column for easier reading. Try it both ways to see what you prefer.

Another common initial change is the theme. In the settings menu, go to Appearance. Here, you can switch between a light and a dark theme. Pick the one that's easiest on your eyes. You can always change these settings later as you get more comfortable with the app.

Now that you're set up, you're ready to create your first note.

Quiz Questions 1/4

What is the very first step you need to take after installing and opening the Obsidian app for the first time?

Quiz Questions 2/4

What does the official Obsidian app logo look like on the Google Play Store?