Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Note Relay Pro for Obsidian

General

What is Note Relay?

Note Relay is an Obsidian plugin that lets you access your vault from any device. The free version provides local HTTP server access, while Pro adds secure remote access via WebRTC peer-to-peer connections.

What's the difference between the tiers?

Free (Local Only):

  • Local/LAN access only (same network)
  • HTTP server on configurable port (default: 5474)
  • No internet or subscription required
  • Perfect for single-device or local network use

Base ($1.99/month):

  • Everything in Free, plus:
  • Remote access from anywhere globally
  • WebRTC peer-to-peer encryption
  • Email + master password authentication
  • Dashboard management
  • Can join Pro vaults as a guest

Pro ($3.99/month):

  • Everything in Base, plus:
  • Host unlimited guests (read-only or read-write)
  • Unique passwords per guest
  • Local audit logs (who accessed what, when)
  • Instant guest revocation
Is my data secure?

Absolutely. Note Relay uses zero-knowledge architecture:

Free (Local Access):

  • HTTP server runs only on your computer
  • Password protection (SHA-256 hashed) prevents unauthorized access
  • No data leaves your device - completely offline
  • No account or internet connection required

Base & Pro (Remote Access):

  • Email + master password authentication verifies identity
  • WebRTC peer-to-peer encryption (end-to-end)
  • Your notes never touch our servers - direct device-to-device
  • We only store minimal metadata (email, subscription status, vault name)

In both cases, we cannot read your notes, even if we wanted to.

Do I need to keep Obsidian running?

Yes, Obsidian must be running with the Note Relay plugin enabled for remote access to work. This is because connections are peer-to-peer—your vault data never leaves your device.

Billing & Subscriptions

How much does Pro cost?

We offer two plans:

  • Monthly: $1.99/month
  • Annual: $19.99/year (save $4!)

Both plans include unlimited vaults and remote access.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime:

  1. Login to your dashboard
  2. Click Manage Billing
  3. Click Cancel Subscription

You'll retain access until the end of your billing period.

What's your refund policy?

We offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied within the first 14 days, email support@noterelay.io for a full refund.

Can I use this on multiple computers?

Yes! One subscription supports unlimited installations across all your devices.

To set up on a new device:

  1. Install the Note Relay plugin
  2. Go to Settings \u2192 Note Relay \u2192 Remote Access
  3. Enter the same email and master password you use on your other devices
  4. Click Activate Remote Access

Each vault will appear separately in your dashboard with its own status.

How do I update my payment method?

Login to your dashboard and click Manage Billing. You'll be taken to Stripe's secure portal where you can update your payment information.

Technical Questions

Why does my connection fail?

Common reasons for connection failures:

  • Vault offline: Ensure Obsidian is running with plugin enabled
  • Firewall: Some corporate networks block WebRTC
  • Wrong password: Verify you're using the correct remote password
  • License inactive: Check your subscription status in dashboard

See our Troubleshooting Guide for detailed steps.

My vault shows offline in the dashboard. Why?

Vaults update their status every 60 seconds. If it's been longer than 5 minutes:

  • Verify Obsidian is running
  • Check your internet connection
  • Try clicking "Activate Remote Access" again in plugin settings
  • Look for errors in Obsidian's developer console (Cmd+Option+I)
Can I use this on mobile?

Plugin: Desktop only (Windows, Mac, Linux). The plugin requires Node.js to run a local HTTP server, which Obsidian Mobile cannot support.

Web Interface: Pro users can access their desktop vault from a mobile browser by visiting the dashboard and clicking Connect. (Note: Mobile-responsive design is currently in development.)

What ports does Note Relay use?

Free (Local): Port 5474 (HTTP)

Pro (Remote): Outbound HTTPS (443) and WebRTC ports (dynamic)

WebRTC automatically negotiates ports, so no port forwarding is needed.

Does this sync my vault across devices?

No, Note Relay provides remote access, not synchronization. Changes are made directly to your vault through the live connection. For offline sync, consider using Obsidian Sync or Git alongside Note Relay.

Can I use this with Obsidian Sync?

Yes! Note Relay and Obsidian Sync serve different purposes and work together perfectly. Use Obsidian Sync for offline synchronization and Note Relay for live remote access.

Setup & Usage

How do I install the plugin?

See our detailed Installation Guide. Quick summary:

  1. Download from GitHub Releases
  2. Place files in .obsidian/plugins/noterelay/
  3. Enable in Obsidian Settings → Community Plugins
How do I activate remote access?

In Obsidian Settings → Note Relay → Remote Access tab:

  1. Set Master Password: Your owner password (never share this)
  2. Enter Your Email: The email from your subscription
  3. Click "Activate Remote Access": Validates subscription and registers vault
  4. Wait for "âś… Active & Online" confirmation

Then visit noterelay.io/dashboard and click Connect on your vault.

How do I invite a guest to my vault? (Pro only)

In Plugin Settings:

  1. Go to Settings → Note Relay → Remote Access → Guest Access Control
  2. Fill in: Email, Display Name, Password (unique per guest), Mode (Read-Only or Read-Write)
  3. Click Add Guest
  4. Manually share the password with your guest via Signal, Slack, or 1Password

Guest Requirements: They need an active Base or Pro subscription to connect.

What is the Master Password?

Your Master Password is the owner-level password for YOUR vault. It gives full read-write access.

Important Security Rules:

  • âś… Use a strong, unique password
  • âś… Store it in a password manager
  • ❌ NEVER share with guests—give them their own unique passwords instead
  • ❌ Don't reuse from other services

Guests get their own separate passwords with limited permissions.

How do I remove a vault from my account?

In your dashboard, click the trash icon next to the vault you want to remove. You can always re-register it later.

Can I use different passwords for local and remote?

Yes, and we recommend it! Use separate passwords in the Local Access and Remote Access tabs for better security.

How do I reset my password?

Account password: Click your username in the dashboard header, then select "Change Password" from the dropdown menu.

Vault passwords (local/remote): Simply enter a new password in the plugin settings—no reset needed.

Privacy & Security

What data do you collect?

We collect minimal data to operate the service:

  • Email address (for authentication)
  • Subscription status and plan type
  • Vault metadata: name, hostname, last-seen timestamp
  • Temporary signaling data (deleted after connection)

We DO NOT collect: Your notes, vault contents, or any personal data from your vault.

Can you read my notes?

No. Your notes are transmitted directly between your devices via encrypted peer-to-peer connection. They never pass through our servers.

Is the connection encrypted?

Yes. All connections use:

  • HTTPS for API communication
  • WebRTC with DTLS encryption for peer-to-peer data
  • SHA-256 hashed passwords
What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Your vaults will be removed from the dashboard and remote access will stop. However:

  • Your account and data remain intact for 90 days
  • You can resubscribe anytime to restore access
  • Local access (free version) continues to work

Still have questions? Contact Support or check our Documentation