GPLAY: Google revoked "all files access" permission

Hello,

this is a meta ticket to explain current state.
Google revoked our "all files access" permission.

This means that

auto upload only works with photos and videos
custom auto upload folder can also only upload media files
a new "location" permission is needed to upload photos with geolocation information

We are trying to convince Google to let us use the permission again.

With upcoming 3.30.8 (we released RC1 today), we try to make this more easy understandable to users.

You can use F-Droid (https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.nextcloud.client/) as there the permission is still working.

Thanks Tobias for all the work you do on this topic. Much appreciated!

Wanted to add that I'm experiencing issues related to this as described in #14379 which I saw is likely to be merged/linked here.

Some time in December, my auto-uploads stopped as it seems permissions (including photos/videos) was revoked. Last night, I manually added the photos/videos permission back. New files are auto-uploaded, but any of my photos/videos that were created between then and now are not being detected for upload.

If there is any option to manually sync a folder to remedy this, please let me know.

EDIT: It's also worth noting that when I opened the auto-uploads management UI, the photos/videos permission pop up froze the app, and I was unable to use it - I had to go into my android settings and add the permission manually

@tobiasKaminsky

Thanks @tobiasKaminsky for your effort on this. I know that your hands are tight with google released the rule for removing permission but this function in particular is what's so good about nextcloud as it automatically create free space on mobile devices. I'm missing this feature sorely and hope that it can be re-instated with the new version.

@drumstick77

@drumstick77 in the meantime I uninstalled Nextcloud, installed 3.30.5 via Obtainium, and disabled auto updates in Google Play. I had to re-set-up my auto upload folders and manually upload/delete stuff that got missed, but at least it works how I want it.

Some time in December, my auto-uploads stopped as it seems permissions (including photos/videos) was revoked. Last night, I manually added the photos/videos permission back. New files are auto-uploaded, but any of my photos/videos that were created between then and now are not being detected for upload.

If there is any option to manually sync a folder to remedy this, please let me know.

I am also experiencing that problem that new images get automatically uploaded since I re-granted the auto upload permissions, but existing ones doesn't, even tho I enabled the "upload existing files setting".

Also I am getting this "changes to auto upload" notification dozens of times.
It would be enough if there was one notification that the user can confirm to have read imo.

Hi

I as many I have issue with auto upload and do some testing. What I see if I do clean install of application (from google store beta version or manually install apk from git hab) and enabe auto upload all working fine untill I remove one photo and after that auto upload stop woring and need to onece again start from scrach. You can reproduce that issue:

install app
connect to nextcloud
enabe auto upload
make photo (upload working)
delete at least 1 photo
make photo (upload not working)

I do this on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Can somone check if has same ?

I use two devices which sync to nextcloud (both use the Google Play Version).

Client Version 3.30.7 and 3.30.8
Pixel 4a
Vanilla Android 13

Client Version 3.30.7
OxygenOS 13 (Android 13)

Both devices stopped syncing after the 17.12.2024.

I updated the permissions for Fotos&Videos and the Devices startet to sync again, but they only sync files starting with the day I granted the permissions. All files between 17.12.2024 and the day I granted the permissions are not picked up.
Interesting: It is day specific - new files which were created prior to the granting of the permissions, but were created on the same day, are picked for upload.

Additionally: None of the deivces gives me the option to grant full file access the nextcloud. Only access to Fotos & Videos can be granted.

UPDATE: the update to 3.30.8 does not change this. Files created between 17.12.2024 and the date of the permission grant are not picked up.
Is there any workaround for now - can I just manually upload this pictures or will this cause any issues?

Hi

I as many I have issue with auto upload and do some testing. What I see if I do clean install of application (from google store beta version or manually install apk from git hab) and enabe auto upload all working fine untill I remove one photo and after that auto upload stop woring and need to onece again start from scrach. You can reproduce that issue:
1. install app

2. connect to nextcloud

3. enabe auto upload

4. make photo (upload working)

5. delete at least 1 photo

6. make photo (upload not working)
I do this on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

Can somone check if has same ?

I cannot confirm that on my Poco F3 running Nextcloud 3.30.8.
After the app re-requested permissions, it uploads new images just fine, even when you delete one from your local gallery.

I got a modal inside the app today which explained the situation. Automatically uploading new files works again. However, existing files that were missed since December had to be uploaded manually.

EDIT: Google Play user here

@st3iny

Thanks for confirming, @st3iny

Initially, the app asked me for permissions, which I granted completely. Afterward, newly created photos taken with the camera were successfully uploaded. However, a few minutes later, the auto-upload stopped working again.

Details:
Google Play version 3.30.8
Device: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Exact same situation as lieblinger. Granted the permissions asked for as allow always, it then successfully uploaded one photo, and now it won't upload anything anymore. Tried revoking, re-enabling permissions. Force stop, clearing cache, disabling/enabling auto upload... it won't detect new photos/videos on my device. The upload queue is empty (it does see the photos in settings -> autoupload, however... just won't queue them.

Details:
Google Play version 3.30.8
Device: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

I can't even upload things to my next cloud myself without auto upload because I can no longer see them in the next cloud app.

For example, if I have an MP3 on my phone and I open the next Cloud app and want to load this MP3 into the next Cloud, I can't see the file.

Why is Google sabotaging the app? Do they want to force you to use their own cloud services?

The good news is that this morning Google got back to us and told us that on resubmission we will regain the permission we need and our users regain all functionality within a few days.

So your blog post helped in getting the right attention 😁.

The good news is that this morning Google got back to us and told us that on resubmission we will regain the permission we need and our users regain all functionality within a few days.

So your blog post helped in getting the right attention 😁.

Yes, indeed, they did refer in their reply to 'the obvious reason' they reached out. Well, all good of course. And we appreciate the input you all gave here - this might help us, in the future, do better. Perhaps the API's will be extended or changed again, and change is constant in the Android ecosystem. So the large amount of feedback here in this item (100+ comments, 40+ people) is really encouraging to me - it shows many people care, and it's the power of us all together that make things better.

So I want to, again, thank everyone for their input. And the wider community - as well as press and everyone who commented everywhere, as that noise was obviously the reason we got the permission back.

We'll update the blogpost shortly as well ;-)

3.31.2 with permission back was released today 🎉

btw, don't see 3.31.2 on: github, google play, f-droid

UP. Available on Google Play.
UP2. Automatic upload for call recordings works, but not immediately, like 20-30 minutes delay.
UP3. Yep, second call - 30 minutes delay. I'm done.

Hello,

During the whole 'you've been Googled' phase, I never removed the Google Play version of the app. Meanwhile 3.31.2 has landed on my device, but unfortunately I don't see any of the fixed stuff. Neither automatic non-media files upload, nor manual ones (files are not shown). Is there any step that I'm missing to get full functionality Back?

I had the same problem on the one device I left in PlayStore Version. Maybe I'd tried to reinstall PlayStore version when the trouble started, so the previous active permission to access all files may be lost on this.
You may add the permission to access all files manualy (settings -> apps -> "3 dots" -> special access -> access all files -> set nextcloud to enabled), then it should work again. In my case only files created after enabling this setting again where uploaded, so older files may be moved in to the folder to trigger the upload,

Thanks, that configuration was what was missing. Now its working again.

Thanks for your persistence and glad that you managed to regain the file permissions.

I wonder whether this will have any impact on #14810 . I started to notice this behaviour at the same time the permission trouble began. On the other hand the f-droid version showed the identical behaviour, so I guess this is unrelated? Still annoying, though, because it makes the upload inherently unreliable.

Thanks for your persistence and glad that you managed to regain the file permissions.

I wonder whether this will have any impact on #14810 . I started to notice this behaviour at the same time the permission trouble began. On the other hand the f-droid version showed the identical behaviour, so I guess this is unrelated? Still annoying, though, because it makes the upload inherently unreliable.

Well, it definitely seems to be working much better after the update. I reinstalled the APP, and it is uploading a lot of pictures with the same auto upload config as before

I hope it is fixed🙏, that would be sooo awesome.

I had the same problem on the one device I left in PlayStore Version. Maybe I'd tried to reinstall PlayStore version when the trouble started, so the previous active permission to access all files may be lost on this. You may add the permission to access all files manualy (settings -> apps -> "3 dots" -> special access -> access all files -> set nextcloud to enabled), then it should work again. In my case only files created after enabling this setting again where uploaded, so older files may be moved in to the folder to trigger the upload,

This worked, thank you! But indeed, for newly created files only. Any idea how to sync older files? I wouldn't even know what hasn't synced without comparing folders one by one, and that's painful. Pausing / enabling overall sync or disabling / enabling per upload folder don't seem to trigger sync for older files.

I think this problem is back. I think it has to do with the fact that I recently installed system upgrades on both my samsung and sony experia phones. After that I dont see any new files in the nextcloud android app, only photos. After I reinstalled the app I dont see any files but photos. On my ipad everything is ok.

That is strange. I also updated my Pixel 8 and do not have any problems (even though uploading large files is painfully slow, but that is not because of Nextcloud).

I think this problem is back. I think it has to do with the fact that I recently installed system upgrades on both my samsung and sony experia phones. After that I dont see any new files in the nextcloud android app, only photos. After I reinstalled the app I dont see any files but photos. On my ipad everything is ok.

Closing since it was resolved.
If any new problem arises, please create a new issue.

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GPLAY: Google revoked "all files access" permission #14409

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