obsidian-livesync/docs/p2p_sync_updates_2026.md

User Guide: Peer-to-Peer Synchronisation (2026 Edition)

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) synchronisation has evolved significantly. This guide covers the essential setup and the new features introduced in the 2026 updates.

1. Core Concept: Server-less Freedom

P2P synchronisation allows your devices to talk directly to each other using WebRTC. A central server is not required for data storage, ensuring maximum privacy and "freedom."

2. Setting Up via P2P Status Pane

You no longer need to navigate through complex menus. Simply open the P2P Server Status (via the ribbon icon or command palette) and click the ⚙ (Cog) icon.

This opens the P2P Setup dialogue where you can configure the essentials:

• Room ID: A unique identifier for your synchronisation group.
• Password: Your encryption key. Ensure all your devices use the exact same password.
• Device Name: A recognisable name for the current device (e.g., iphone-16).

Once you have saved the settings, return to the P2P Status Pane and click the Connect button to join the network.

Tip: You can also toggle Auto Connect in the setup dialogue to automatically join the network whenever Obsidian starts.

3. Real-time Control

The status pane in the right sidebar provides granular control over your synchronisation:

• Signalling Status: Shows if you are connected to the relay (🟢 Online).
• Live-push (Broadcast): Toggle "Broadcast changes" to notify other peers whenever you make an edit.
• Watch: Enable "Watch" on specific peers to automatically pull changes when they broadcast. This creates a "LiveSync-like" experience.

4. Enhanced Replication Dialogue (Bidirectional Sync)

If you want to synchronise manually, click the 🔄 (Replicate) button next to a peer in the device list. This opens the Replication Dialogue.

Inside the dialogue, you can still see the Server Status at the top, so you will know if you are still connected while performing manual synchronisations.

When you trigger a synchronisation this way, the system now performs a Bidirectional Synchronisation:

1. Pull: It first fetches changes from the peer.
2. Push: If the pull is successful, it immediately pushes your local changes to that peer.

This "one-click" approach ensures both devices are perfectly in synchronisation without manual back-and-forth.

5. Technical Improvements in 2026

• Decoupled Architecture: The UI is now strictly separated from the core logic, making the plugin more stable across different platforms (Mobile, Desktop, and Web).
• Svelte 5 UI: The interface has been rebuilt for better responsiveness and clearer status indicators.
• Security: All data remains end-to-end encrypted. Even the signalling relay never sees your actual notes.