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Internal 2-way sync does not pick up files / folders created/modified/deleted outside nextcloud app #13752
Description
⚠️ Before posting ⚠️
- This is a bug, not a question or an enhancement.
- I've searched for similar issues and didn't find a duplicate.
- I've written a clear and descriptive title for this issue, not just "Bug" or "Crash".
- I agree to follow Nextcloud's Code of Conduct.
Steps to reproduce
- Enable 2-way synchronization for a folder
- Create a file/folder using the Android file browser, modify an existing file/folder, or delete a file/folder using the Android file browser
- Wait for the next synchronization to begin
- The Nextcloud Android App fails to detect the files, or in other words, it does not recognize the changes
Expected behaviour
It should be possible to create, modify, or delete a file or folder outside the Nextcloud app (e.g., using the phone's file browser or any other app with access to the synced folder).
Actual behaviour
When creating, modifying, or deleting a file or folder outside the Nextcloud app, the app does not recognize the changes and fails to detect the new files. Despite this issue, the sync operates normally every 15 minutes.
Android version
14
Device brand and model
Samsung Tab S7 FE
Stock or custom OS?
Stock
Nextcloud android app version
3.30.1 RC1
Nextcloud server version
29.0.6
Using a reverse proxy?
Yes
Android logs
No response
Server error logs
No response
Additional information
I have already described the issue in detail in PR #13294 .
Activity
superzanti commentedon Oct 9, 2024
Thanks for opening this @tobias0409
I have the same issue on my Pixel 5a
You can see some of the details of my issue here.
derutaramuda commentedon Oct 10, 2024
Same issue here, Pixel 8 with GrapheneOS atm
Akselmo commentedon Oct 28, 2024
Can also confirm this issue, Fairphone 5 with CalyxOS.
motareis commentedon Nov 3, 2024
Same here. Pixel 6 with GrapheneOS and Nextcloud Client 3.30.4
superzanti commentedon Nov 4, 2024
I hate to say it, but I ended up purchasing a license to FolderSync. For all who are waiting on a solution, I suggest you do the same - This has been a game changer for my note-taking.
I believe it will be a better solution. This has been an issue in nextcloud/android for years. FolderSync has native support for nextcloud too. And I just set it up to sync my existing nextcloud folders that I have in android. It works great and has a much higher level of configurability than I believe this feature will get anytime soon.
artfulrobot commentedon Nov 6, 2024
@superzanti thanks for sharing. I might end up looking at that.
I have just experienced file corruption using the two way sync.
This needs a lot more testing before being available for use. (possible other example of someone using Keepass + Nextcloud losing their data)
Incidentally: the method I outline here used to work (as long as I manually chose Sync on the file after saving).
superzanti commentedon Nov 6, 2024
You know, I use keepass and haven't had this issue before.
I rarely update keepass on my phone. But regardless, notes seem to sync fine.
Does this happen with just a text file? What kind of timing do you have? like is it 5 min before switching to another device and interacting with that file? 10?
artfulrobot commentedon Nov 7, 2024
@superzanti came back a day later. So no idea at which point nextcloud corrupted the file.
Soltinator commentedon Jan 20, 2025
hi. a update on this,
this just happened to me. if i hadnt enabled versions i would have lost my keepass password database.
i got 2 nextcloud clients on linux and windows and a android client.
im pretty sure my android didnt have access to the nextcloud server a week ago (when the corrupted file got synced)
i can pull up versions of both keepass and nextcloud on all 3 of my devices. as well as server version.
also i can give you guys a diff of the hex of my database file before and after corruption.
let me know if you guys need anything.
Markoise commentedon Jun 4, 2025
I have the same problem. Apparently, the whole 2-way sync is just a 1-way sync, and that only every 15 minutes at least, and only via Wi-Fi. 🤷♂️
I'm slowly starting to regret choosing Nextcloud.
Keyaku commentedon Jun 5, 2025
@Markoise Gentle reminder that this is a GitHub issue discussion, not a forum board! I am also discontent with the situation, but putting aside the fact that what you might be referring to is actually Google's fault, I'd ask to keep the discussion solely on technical info.
(I am no representative of Nextcloud btw. I just like to keep GitHub issues clean from "me too!")
With the latest (working) version,
the files seem to syncother than not syncing, they're stuck inAndroid/mediafiles instead of us being able to pick somewhere in internal storage, which I'd say is the best end for this functionality.7 remaining items
tobiasKaminsky commentedon Sep 9, 2026
Drop in replacement APK: https://cloud.nextcloud.com/s/ABtFF9JpKTR7qtj
It is with same Google Play Store Key signed.
Same version number, so any newer version will replace it.
Please test it and provide feedback if it is now working as expected.
all-the-good-ones-are-gone commentedon Sep 9, 2026
BroOtti commentedon Sep 9, 2026
Seems to work good. I hope for the final version it won't bei necessary to enable it in the settings and it will be enough to start the sync of a directory. After 10 years #19 will be finally implemented
tobiasKaminsky commentedon Sep 10, 2026
The "run sync now" is only for debugging, so that the testers can run it immediately, without waiting 15min.
The final version will have the same behaviour like before: enable it per folder and done.
Thanks for positive feedback 👍
fracklaus commentedon Sep 10, 2026
I have tested this as well. When running the sync manually (via "Run sync now"), everything is working as expected.
However, periodic sync does not seem to work reliably on my Samsung S26. I have enabled two-way sync with 15min interval and disabled battery optimization for the nextcloud app. Still, in the two-way sync dialog I see that the last sync happened yesterday. Consequently, the changes I have made in between on a file in the local android storage as well as on another file on the server are not synced in the background.
After enabling two-way snyc, at least one sync happened automatically in the background, but somehow it stopped working.
Any hints how to fix this?
tobiasKaminsky commentedon Sep 10, 2026
@fracklaus is the regular auto-upload working for you?
I can later check, but I think/fear that Samsung has an additional battery optimization settings.
fracklaus commentedon Sep 10, 2026
Hi @tobiasKaminsky, I have enabled auto upload on a test folder and will check whether it keeps functioning. I will give further feedback tomorrow to allow battery optimization methods to kick in.
However, in my experience, disabling battery optimizations in Samsung works pretty well. I have several apps working in the background flawlessly on my device.
fracklaus commentedon Sep 11, 2026
@tobiasKaminsky I have observed the following:
I cannot tell why it did not work yesterday and the day before, but since app restart it seems to be working as it should. I will continue to observe and report back here if anything comes up again.
Thank you for providing this major improvement to two-way sync!
philip-soerensen commentedon Sep 14, 2026
Hi all, I also bumped into this problem yesterday, and I'm happy to see that it is being worked on just as I encountered it. I tried to install @tobiasKaminsky's patched version, but I get an "App not installed as package conflicts with an existing package" error. Otherwise, I'd be happy to help test this fix.
My usecase: I use the messenger app Signal, which can export a backup to a local folder in the phone file system. I would like that folder to be a two-way synced Nextcloud folder, so that the backup is taken to my server. I already set that up, targeting a subfolder of /Android/media/com.nextcloud.client/..., which was created by the Nextcloud app by enabling two-way sync on a folder.
tobiasKaminsky commentedon Sep 16, 2026
I suspect that you do not have it installed via Google Play Store, right?
If you have installed it via Fdroid I unfortunately cannot create a drop-in replacement, since Fdroid signs the app on their own.
However, you can test it here: #17598 (comment)
It is then a separate app, so you would need to set it up and test it.
It would be great to have another test feedback.
Thank you!
philip-soerensen commentedon Sep 16, 2026
@tobiasKaminsky, maybe tomorrow I can give it a shot, if I can just install the APK there :)
hprien commentedon Sep 25, 2026
@tobiasKaminsky thank you so much for taking care of this issue.
I tested the APK you liked in #17598 (comment).
With the manual "Run sync now" as well as with the scheduled sync I found following things:
Creation of a file on server and client works great. They get picked up and synced.
Deletion of a file on server and client works great. When I delete a file on server side it is being deleted on client as well and the other way around.
Update of a file (change the content of a text file):
Android/media/com.nextcloud.android.qa/Nextcloud/<user>@<domain>/. My text editor (BeauTyXT) shows the file as "read only".My Platform: Google Pixel 9a, GrapheneOS, Android 17
Edit: I'm able to change files locally on my phone. The changes get picked up and synced to the Server properly. The "read only" Problem was between me and my texteditor. I tested now with text files and kdbx files.
hprien commentedon Sep 25, 2026
I would love the keep this option
alperozturk96 commentedon Oct 6, 2026
Hello,
The PR is updated, love to hear your feedback: #17598 (comment)