Selfhosted @lemmy.world archer @lemmy.ml 2 mo. ago

[solved] Using Nextcloud as a directory/folder/remote location

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!

24 comments

KDE and GNOME have that built in. You can add it via webdav to nautilus or gnome-files
- In GNOME you just need to log in with your Nextcloud account in the system settings and it will add it in the file manager
- Thanks I'll try that!
Have a look at Nextcloud WebDav:

https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/20/user_manual/en/files/access_webdav.html#accessing-files-using-linux
- I'll check it out thanks!
Have you tried the official Nextcloud desktop app?
- 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.
  
  That's exactly what the nextcloud desktop app does.
- That would not be equivalent to 'remote location', as the files would be stored locally on your computer and being synced with the cloud.
  
  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
First things first, for what platform(s) y or OS(s)?
- Linux with KDE and MacOS
  
  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.
WebDAV, as others have said
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
Webdav is the preferred method, but if you really want to use samba/NFS/rsyncd, you can set up a share that points to /var/www/nextcloud-data/USER/files, just make sure that newly created files are owned by the www-data user and group (e.g. by setting setuid/setgid on the files directory)
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.
- This is way too overkill, simply use WebDAV
- 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.
- 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.

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