> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/obsidianmd/obsidian-help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Download and install Obsidian

> Install Obsidian on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android. Get up and running in minutes on any platform.

Obsidian is available for all major desktop and mobile platforms. Choose your platform below to get started.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download the installer">
        Open your browser and go to [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download). Under **Windows**, click **Universal** to download the installation file.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Run the installer">
        Open the downloaded `.exe` file and follow the on-screen instructions.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Obsidian">
        Launch Obsidian the same way you open any other application.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download the disk image">
        Open your browser and go to [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download). Under **macOS**, click **Universal** to download the `.dmg` file.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install the app">
        Open the downloaded `.dmg` file. In the window that appears, drag **Obsidian** into the **Applications** folder.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Obsidian">
        Launch Obsidian from Applications the same way you open any other app.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    Obsidian offers three packaging formats on Linux. Use whichever fits your system.

    **Snap**

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download the Snap package">
        Go to [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download) and under **Linux**, click **Snap**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install the package">
        Open a terminal, navigate to the download folder, and run:

        ```bash theme={null}
        snap install obsidian_<version>_<arch>.snap --dangerous --classic
        ```

        The `--dangerous` flag is required because Canonical has not reviewed the package. The `--classic` flag allows Obsidian to access files outside the sandbox, where your notes are stored.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Obsidian">
        Launch Obsidian the same way you open any other application.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    **AppImage**

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download the AppImage">
        Go to [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download) and under **Linux**, click **AppImage**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Make it executable and run it">
        Open a terminal, navigate to the download folder, and run:

        ```bash theme={null}
        chmod u+x Obsidian-<version>.AppImage
        ./Obsidian-<version>.AppImage --no-sandbox
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Note>
      On Chromebooks, the `libnss3-dev` package must be installed, otherwise you may receive the error `error while loading shared libraries: libnss3.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory`.
    </Note>

    **Flatpak**

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install via Flatpak">
        Run the following command in your terminal:

        ```bash theme={null}
        flatpak install flathub md.obsidian.Obsidian
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Launch Obsidian">
        ```bash theme={null}
        flatpak run md.obsidian.Obsidian
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Android">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Find Obsidian on the Play Store">
        Open the [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=md.obsidian) and search for **Obsidian**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install the app">
        Tap **Install** to download and install Obsidian.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Obsidian">
        Launch Obsidian the same way you open any other app.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Tip>
      You can also download the APK directly from [obsidian.md/download](https://obsidian.md/download) if you prefer to install it manually.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="iPhone & iPad">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Find Obsidian on the App Store">
        Open the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/obsidian-connected-notes/id1557175442) and search for **Obsidian**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Download the app">
        Tap **Get** to download and install Obsidian.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Obsidian">
        Launch Obsidian the same way you open any other app.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Try the sandbox vault

The first time you open Obsidian, you'll be prompted to create or open a vault. If you want to explore the app before setting up your own vault, open the **Sandbox vault** — a pre-built vault that showcases Obsidian's core features and formatting options.

<Note>
  The sandbox vault is a great way to explore Obsidian without touching your own files. Any changes you make to it won't affect your personal notes.
</Note>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create a vault" icon="folder" href="/getting-started/create-vault">
    Set up your first vault to start storing your notes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create your first note" icon="file-pen" href="/getting-started/first-note">
    Learn how to write and format notes in Obsidian.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>