nextcloud-android/user_manual/android_app.rst

Using the ownCloud Android App

Accessing your files on your ownCloud server via the Web interface is easy and convenient, as you can use any Web browser on any operating system without installing special client software. However, the ownCloud Android app offers some advantages over the Web interface:

• A simplified interface that fits nicely on a tablet or smartphone
• Automatic synchronization of your files
• Share files with other ownCloud users and groups, and create public share links
• Instant uploads of photos or videos recorded on your Android device
• Easily add files from your device to ownCloud
• Two-factor authentication

New In Version 1.9.1

This release contains a number of improvements, including:

• Set and edit permissions on internal shared data.
• Instant uploads: avoid file duplications, set policy in app settings.
• Control duplication of files uploaded via Upload button.
• Select view mode: either list or grid per folder.
• More buttons and checkboxes for faster operations.
• Fixed battery drain in automatic synchronization.
• Security fixes related to passcode.
• Wording fixes.

Upgrading

When you download your ownCloud Android App from the Google Play store, it will be upgraded just like any other Play Store app, according to your settings on your Android device. It will either upgrade automatically, or give you a notification than an upgrade is available.

If you are using an ownCloud Android app from a custom repository, e.g. your employer, then you will upgrade according their policies.

Getting the ownCloud Android App

One way to get your ownCloud Android app is to log into your ownCloud server from your Android device using a Web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Dolphin. The first time you log in to a new ownCloud account you'll see a screen with a download link to the ownCloud app in the Google Play store.

You will also find these links on your Personal page in the ownCloud Web interface.

Find source code and more information from the ownCloud download page.

Users of customized ownCloud Android apps, for example from their employer, should follow their employer's instructions.

Connecting to Your ownCloud Server

The first time you run your ownCloud Android app it opens to a configuration screen. Enter your server URL, login name, password, and click the Connect button. (Click the eyeball to the right of your password to expose your password.)

For best security your ownCloud server should be SSL-enabled, so that you can connect via https. The ownCloud app will test your connection as soon as you enter it and tell you if you entered it correctly. If your server has a self-signed SSL certificate you'll get a warning that it is not to be trusted. Click the OK button to accept the certificate and complete your account setup.

Managing Files

Now you should see the Files page of your ownCloud account.

The ownCloud menu at the top left shows the name of the logged-in user, has a shortcut to your files, and contains the Settings button.

Click the overflow button at the top right (that's the one with three vertical dots) to open a user menu. Grid view toggles between grid and list view. Refresh account syncs with the server, and Sort gives you the option to sort your files by date, or alphabetically.

The little file folder icon to the left of the overflow button opens a dialog to create a new folder. The arrow button opens a file upload dialog, and you can either upload content from other Android apps such as Google Drive, the Gallery, your music player, or from your Android filesystem.

All files (that you have permission to access) on your ownCloud server are displayed in your Android app, but are not downloaded until you click on them. Downloaded files are marked with a green arrow.

Download and view a file with a short press on the filename. Then a short press on the overflow button opens a menu with options for managing your file.

When you are on your main Files page, a long press on any file or folder displays a list of options: Share, Open With, Synchronize, Rename, Move, Copy, Remove, Send, Favorite, and Details.

Click Share to share files. You can share with other ownCloud users, and create public share links. If your ownCloud server administrator has enabled username auto-completion, when you start typing user or group names they will auto-complete. After you have shared files, click the Share button to see who you have shared with, and to remove shares.

Settings

Use the Settings screen to control your ownCloud app functions.

In the Accounts section you can set up and manage multiple accounts.

The Security section sets up strong two-factor authentication by allowing you to add a PIN (personal identification number) to access your account.

The Instant Uploads section creates a directory, /InstantUpload, and any photos or videos created with your Android device's camera are instantly uploaded to this directory. You also have the option to choose any other existing directory, or to create a new one. Another nice option is Upload Pictures/Video via WiFi Only, to conserve your mobile data usage.

The bottom section of the Settings screen has links to Help, Recommend to a friend, Feedback, and the version number.

Removing/Logging Out

On your Settings page, a long press on an account name opens a dialog to Change password or Remove account. Change password is, of course, changing your password.

Remove account logs you out of the server, removes your account settings, and removes your files from your Android device. It does not change anything on the server. There is no logout function that simply logs out of your account and leaves all your files on your Android device. If you want extra security, you can set a login PIN on your Android device, and also on your ownCloud account. If you are using a shared Android device, other users can access your files in the file manager if you are sharing a single user account, so you could set up multiple user accounts to protect your files.