this post was submitted on 03 May 2024
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Hi guys

Is there any way to access Nextcloud files (self hosted) in a file manager just like a regular directory or remote location? So the way iCloud or Dropbox allow you to access files and use them for example to upload them in a browser. So far I only managed to access the files in the Nextcloud WebUI or via the command line (but then a resync is necessary).

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

I'll check it out thanks!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Have you tried the official Nextcloud desktop app?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I did but that's only syncing one folder if I'm not mistaken. I want to see everything though and if I make changes to files these changes should be synced back to the cloud.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

That's exactly what the nextcloud desktop app does.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Maybe I'm using the wrong one? Mine just sits in the task bar and displays the sync status and "helpful" app recommendations. I want to see the files though (in Dolphin for example)...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

I figured I might have a wrong version or something so I went ahead and grabbed the one off of flathub, but that's the same one. It syncs everything to one folder on the disk but only until the disk is full. I kinda wanted something like iCloud that would show everthing but only download on demand (so it doesn't take up all the space).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

That would not be equivalent to 'remote location', as the files would be stored locally on your computer and being synced with the cloud.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (2 children)

The nextcloud client has the option to setup the folder as a virtual folder. this wouldn't sync the files locally but would download them on first access, kind of like how OneDrive works. Would this not work for OP or did I miss read

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

TBH, the description in the original post is not very clear.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I think this is it but I can't find this option in the settings.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

OK so I managed to enable it! :) Thanks for everyone suggestions.

If you have the same issue and find this thread later: on a regular install, open /home/yourusername/.config/Nextcloud/nextcloud.cfg with a text editor. On flatpak, open /home/yourusername/.var/app/com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloud/config/Nextcloud/nextcloud.cfg. Add the line showExperimentalOptions=true under the general section. Restart Nextcloud desktop and delete the current synchronization destionation. Readd it and you'll see the option to use virtual files. Confirm that it's experimental and you're done.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Wait you mean without file synchronization?

WITH file synchronization you'd use nextcloud-client, obviously, otherwise I think GNOME file manager can connect to a nextcloud instance and browse files without downloading them

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

First things first, for what platform(s) y or OS(s)?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

On Linux KDE you just add your instance and login account to online accounts, and it gives you files, contacts and calendar. On Mac, sorry, no idea.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

WebDAV, as others have said

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago (3 children)

I haven't tried, but you might be able to set up a samba share that points to /var/www/nextcloud-data/USER/files, just make sure that it uses the www-data user.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

This is way too overkill, simply use WebDAV

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Nextcloud won't be able to recognise new files if you do it that way. A full scan will be needed before they'll show up in the web app.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago

Yeah, that will work. It sounds like answer to OPs question, but I have no clue why would someone need that unless there is no client app for that device.