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Automatic Upload Issue on Nextcloud Android Client (v3.30.6) - Android permissions lost after update #14199
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
Update the Nextcloud Android client to version 3.30.6.
Take new photos using the device’s camera or receive media via apps like WhatsApp.
Check the "Automatic Upload" settings under the app settings.
Grant permissions again when prompted by Android.
Observe that media files created or received before re-granting permissions are not uploaded, while new files are uploaded as expected.
Expected behaviour
All photos and media, including those created or received before permissions are re-granted, should be uploaded to the Nextcloud server according to the configured "Automatic Upload" settings.
Actual behaviour
The "Automatic Upload" settings for folders appear unchanged in the app after the update.
Android prompts for required permissions again after the update, despite these permissions being previously granted.
Granting permissions again does not resolve the issue for media created prior to the update; only new media is added to the upload queue and successfully uploaded.
Android version
14
Device brand and model
Samsung A- and S- series
Stock or custom OS?
Stock
Nextcloud android app version
3.30.6
Nextcloud server version
30.0.0.4
Using a reverse proxy?
No
Android logs
No response
Server error logs
Additional information
Proposed Solution
Investigate why permissions are being reset or re-requested after the update.
Ensure that media created or received before permissions are re-granted is properly detected and uploaded.
Include a migration or re-scan step after updates to avoid loss of sync for existing files.
Activity
FelixBuehler commentedon Dec 18, 2024
I have the same issue regarding the not auto uploading photos and a new request for permissions, but after I re-grant them, the auto upload still isn't working. It's all set, but nothing happens.
The last image uploaded for me was on 16th December. I have Google Auto Update enabled, I don't know which exact version did change then. Right now it's 3.30.6.
Mabashi8 commentedon Dec 19, 2024
I have the same exact issue one two of my devices running on android app version 3.30.6 too
YourWishes commentedon Dec 19, 2024
Same issue. I have a Galaxy Fold 3, I was actually unable to grant permission, the interface to grant permissions had locked up entirely. I manually went into settings and granted permissions and now the auto upload settings can see the files, but is not auto uploading them.
kolAflash commentedon Dec 19, 2024
Same here. (FP3+, /e/OS-2.1-202406, Android-13)
Any workaround?
I've tried this but it didn't help:
appops set --uid com.nextcloud.client MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE allow pm grant com.nextcloud.client android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGEDowngrade worked (maybe only possible on rooted devices):
wget 'https://github.com/nextcloud/android/releases/download/stable-3.30.5/gplay-release-30300590.apk' adb install -d -r gplay-release-30300590.apkBeer17HWAM commentedon Dec 19, 2024
Installed the version from the fdroid store and it's working again.
JanisPlayer commentedon Dec 19, 2024
I simply gave the app all the permissions in the settings. And then I manually uploaded all the files that weren't uploaded automatically. The new files would then at least be uploaded after a while, but the ones he didn't upload can unfortunately only be uploaded manually afterwards.
Show image how to change the settings
wvxx commentedon Dec 20, 2024
Having the same problem, last photos uploaded on December 16th. Manual upload works fine, automatic does not work at all.
Reinstalling 3.30.6 from F-Droid did not bring any improvement, downgrade to 3.30.5 made auto-upload work again.
mike1703 commentedon Dec 21, 2024
Setting permissions worked for me as well but files that have been created before updating the permissions (and not uploaded already) are not uploaded now
izzy commentedon Dec 22, 2024
My client also stopped uploading after the Update(Galaxy A55, Android 14, GPlay). I didn't notice until today when I noticed nothing had been uploaded for a week by complete chance.
Granting the client permissions did not alleviate the issue.
Uninstalling and then reinstalling from GPlay made the client upload the photos taken since granting the permissions to the point of reinstallation, but neither subsequent photos nor photos taken between the update and granting the permissions were uploaded.
Reinstalling from F-Droid loses all settings. After Logging in, choosing full access to all data and setting up the folders for auto-upload, the client will start reuploading every file present and then work again just fine(at least for now).
I'm honestly not happy with having to install a third party app store and then reinstall and reconfigure the whole app just to get the one feature I'm using the app for working again.
tuxArg commentedon Dec 22, 2024
This happened to me too. Even after reinstalling and giving full permissions I notice that photos and videos metadata are removed before uploading, so I'm missing all location data of auto uploaded files. I think it's the same issue, so I'm not opening another one.
tuxArg commentedon Dec 23, 2024
Ok, I've been investigating this. I think the problem is commit 8094755 that removed MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission as it states "MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE not possible for gplay flavor anylonger".
If this is the case I think that Nextcloud should:
sidsingh78 commentedon Dec 23, 2024
Nextcloud Android App version 3.30.6
Phone: Google Pixel 9 Pro
Android Version: 15
NC Server Version 30.0.4 Stable (AIO docker)
I have the exact same issue + a new issue with losing GPS EXIF data.
To resolve issue 1 with auto upload, I tried clearing app cache and it did not work. so I uninstalled and reinstalled the App from Play store and granted All permissions again to photos and videos. The auto upload is working now.
Issue 2 is still unresolved. The Nextcloud app is removing the GPS coordinates while uploading the pictures Manually or by Auto Upload. I use Memories app and I do not see the GPS location data in the picture details. The default Google Photos app on phone shows the location data associated with the pictures.
There were no changes or updates done on my NC Server.
idle-user commentedon Dec 23, 2024
Same issue.
This app seriously needs a re-sync option so we can manually have it catch-up. We shouldn't have to re-install it or mess with permissions/cache/app-data in hopes to trigger the sync.
15 remaining items
hw-hass23 commentedon Dec 26, 2024
GPlay
ACCESS_MEDIA_LOCATION Android permission might help Nextcloud auto upload in accessing the unredacted EXIF with GPS intact.
BluePixel4k commentedon Dec 27, 2024
FYI, the ACCESS_MEDIA_LOCATION permission will be added in the future: #14247
But in general, this bug is a little off topic in relation to the initial post.
Wikinaut commentedon Dec 28, 2024
same here.
This issue
should be filed separately, in my view.
stefan-franz commentedon Dec 30, 2024
Same problem here: Upload any files - Upload Option: Source only readable.
And upload doesn't work. Don't know why.
Android 11 and Android 15
Momi-V commentedon Dec 30, 2024
With the Google Play version you can now only upload media files. To be able to upload any files or get the previously established behavior you need to use the F-Droid version of the app at least until this permission issue is resolved by Google (if they ever choose to do so)
smb500 commentedon Jan 2, 2025
Hi,
I'm glad to find this here... yesterday I used my day to find out why my documents are not uploaded in my Nextcloud. (my workaround was downgrade to GPlay App 3.30.5). Missing EXIF was new to me, thanks.
I will go to the F-Droid version now. Is there no way to give a direct APK download here? And a notification inside the app when an update is availible on github?
I could be useful to inform all users about that problem with Google.
Momi-V commentedon Jan 2, 2025
There's an APK download in the releases section https://github.com/nextcloud/android/releases, but you'll have to check for updates manually.
Doing the update logic inside the app (especially if package managers are readily available) is pretty outdated and unnecessary.
nextgen-networks commentedon Jan 5, 2025
Auto Upload works again with the "nextcloud dev" version from F-Droid appstore released 2024-12-28.
rotanid commentedon Jan 5, 2025
@nextgen-networks with the fdroid version it always worked! even without "dev".
alperozturk96 commentedon Jan 10, 2025
This seems to be the same issue. Is it okay to continue with the provided link. @webneo82
#14334
webneo82 commentedon Jan 10, 2025
It seems to be the same problem. However, it is not clear from the other ticket whether the permissions have only been lost because of the app update. The problem is simply that after the app update, the Nextcloud client no longer automatically has permission in Android to perform automatic uploads according to the settings. If you go to the corresponding settings, you can grant the Nextcloud client the authorization again by an automatic query and the automatic upload works again as it was defined in the settings. However, the data created in between the update and the re-setting of the authorizations is missing in the automatic upload. It cannot be that in environments with many smartphones such fatal errors lead to people having to start reassigning permissions and then uploading the data manually. I still have the problem that not all users have done this.
tobiasKaminsky commentedon Jan 15, 2025
This is handled via our next release, 3.30.8 RC1
It is currently in review and will be soon available for Beta users.
Please sign up to it, to check it and provide feedback.
More explanation can be found in #14409