Nextcloud Desktop empowers users with a flexible, secure, open-source cloud storage solution directly from their Ubuntu desktop. Its comprehensive features enhance productivity, collaboration, and data management. With Nextcloud, individuals and teams can easily synchronize and share files, calendars, contacts, and more, ensuring all their data is accessible anytime, anywhere.
More key highlights include:
- End-to-End Encryption: Guarantees the privacy of your data, making it accessible only to you and those you authorize.
- File Versioning and Recovery: Automatically saves file versions, allowing you to restore files to any previous state.
- Integrated Collaborative Tools: Offers collaborative editing of documents, calendars, and contact management.
- Customizable Notifications: Keeps you updated with real-time notifications for shared files and collaborations.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensures seamless access to your data across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Extensive App Ecosystem: Enhances functionality with a wide range of applications available from the Nextcloud marketplace.
- Self-Hosting Freedom: Gives you complete control over your data and how it’s stored, shared, and accessed.
- Highly Scalable: It suits the needs of individuals and large organizations and can scale as your data grows.
Transitioning into the technical aspect, this guide provides a straightforward path to getting Nextcloud Desktop up and running on your Ubuntu system. Now, let’s dive into the installation process.
Method 1: Install Nextcloud Desktop via Nextcloud PPA
The Nextcloud DEV PPA offers a reliable method for installing the Nextcloud Desktop Client on Ubuntu. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure a successful setup. Utilizing the APT package manager for this process allows you to access the official PPA (Personal Package Archive) the Nextcloud development team provides. The PPA contains stable and development (alpha) versions of the Nextcloud Desktop Client, catering to your needs.
Update Ubuntu’s Packages Before Nextcloud Installation
Before proceeding with the installation, it’s vital to ensure that all your existing software packages are up to date. This preemptive measure helps avoid potential conflicts during the installation process.
To update your Ubuntu system, use the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradeAdd Nextcloud Development PPA to Your Ubuntu System
Next, we will import the Nextcloud DEV PPA. You can opt for either the stable or alpha release, depending on your preference. The stable release offers a well-tested, secure experience, while the alpha version allows access to the latest features at the potential cost of stability.
Note: Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa users may require the Snap or Flatpak for the latest version as it’s not EOL from the below PPAs, but it is an older release. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS onwards, including short-term releases that have not reached end-of-life status, have all the latest versions.
For the stable version of the Nextcloud Desktop Client, use this command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nextcloud-devs/client -yFor the alpha version of the Nextcloud Desktop Client, if you prefer to experiment with the newest features, use this command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nextcloud-devs/client-alpha -yRefresh the APT Package Index with the Nextcloud Desktop PPA
After importing the PPA, it’s necessary to refresh the APT package index. This allows the system to recognize the newly added Nextcloud Desktop PPA and prepare it for installation.
Update the APT package index using this command:
sudo apt updateInstall Nextcloud Desktop on Ubuntu via APT Command
With the system refreshed and the Nextcloud PPA integrated, you can install the Nextcloud Desktop Client.
To install the Nextcloud Desktop Client, use the following command:
sudo apt install nextcloud-desktopMethod 2: Install Nextcloud Desktop Client via Snap
Snap, a package management system developed by Canonical, provides an alternative method for installing the Nextcloud Desktop Client. Snap packages, or “snaps,” are self-contained software packages that include their dependencies, ensuring a consistent experience across various Linux distributions.
Ensuring Snap is Installed on Your Ubuntu System For Nextcloud Desktop
In some cases, particularly in minimal Ubuntu installations, the Snap package manager might not be pre-installed. Before proceeding, confirming that Snap is available on your system is essential. If not, you will need to install it.
To install or reinstall the Snap package manager, use the following command:
sudo apt install snapdThis command ensures that the Snap package manager is installed on your system, preparing your Ubuntu environment to install the Nextcloud Desktop Client via Snap.
Install Nextcloud Desktop via Snap Command
With Snap set up and ready to go, you can install the Nextcloud Desktop Client. Snap simplifies this process with a straightforward command.
To install the Nextcloud Desktop Client using Snap, enter the following command:
sudo snap install nextcloud-desktop-clientMethod 3: Install Nextcloud Desktop via Flatpak and Flathub
Flatpak is an alternative to Snap, providing a unique system for distributing sandboxed software applications on Linux. It allows you to access, manage, and run applications in isolated environments, ensuring software stability and system security. As with Snap, a key benefit of using Flatpak is its universal packaging approach, ensuring software compatibility across different Linux distributions.
Note: If Flatpak is not yet installed on your system, we recommend following our step-by-step guide, “How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu,” to set it up in your Ubuntu environment.
Activating Flathub Repository for Nextcloud Desktop
Before we can install the Nextcloud Desktop Client via Flatpak, we need to enable the Flathub repository. Flathub is the default repository for Flatpak and hosts a wide array of applications, including the Nextcloud Desktop Client.
To add the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, use the following command:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoThis command adds the Flathub repository, expanding your access to many Flatpak applications and paving the way for installing the Nextcloud Desktop Client.
Install the Nextcloud via Flatpak Command
Now that your system’s Flathub repository is enabled, you can install the Nextcloud Desktop Client. The Flatpak package manager simplifies this process, enabling the installation with a single command.
To install the Nextcloud Desktop Client via Flatpak, use the following command:
flatpak install flathub com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloud -yInitiating Nextcloud Desktop via GUI Path or CLI Commands
After successfully installing the Nextcloud Desktop Client, it’s time to use it. The application can be started using various methods, depending on your preference for the command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI).
CLI Methods for Launching the Nextcloud Desktop Application
The Nextcloud Desktop Client can be quickly launched using the command-line interface. The commands may vary depending on your installation method.
For users who installed the application via the APT package manager or the Nextcloud Development PPA, launch the Nextcloud Desktop Client using the following command:
nextcloudIf you’ve installed the client through Snap, initiate it with the Snap-specific command:
snap run nextcloud-desktop-clientFor those who prefer the Flatpak installation, start the Nextcloud Desktop Client via the Flatpak command:
flatpak run com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloudGUI Method for Launching the Nextcloud Application
You can start the Nextcloud Desktop Client directly from your desktop environment for a more visual approach. Most desktop users find this method convenient for accessing applications.
To launch Nextcloud using the GUI, navigate your way through the following path:
Open the Activities overview, select Show Applications, and click the Nextcloud icon.
The Activities overview is typically found at the top of your screen or by pressing the “Super” key (usually represented by the Windows logo on most keyboards). The Show Applications button, indicated by a grid of dots, is usually at the bottom of the sidebar or dock.
Managing Nextcloud Desktop
Update the Nextcloud Desktop
Keeping the Nextcloud Desktop Client updated is crucial to maintain optimal functionality and security. Depending on the method you used for the original installation, you’ll use a different command to update. Let’s explore these.
APT Update Command for Nextcloud Desktop
If you used the APT package manager to install the Nextcloud Desktop Client, run the following command to update:
sudo apt upgrade && sudo apt upgradeThis command will also update all other packages managed by the APT, including system packages, ensuring your Linux environment operates efficiently.
Snap Update Command for Nextcloud Desktop
For those who installed the Nextcloud Desktop Client via Snap, use the following command to update:
sudo snap refreshFlatpak Update Command for Nextcloud Desktop
If you’ve installed the Nextcloud Desktop Client through Flatpak, you can update it using this command:
flatpak updateUpdating your Nextcloud Desktop Client regularly helps maintain optimal software performance and security, especially for novice Linux users.
Remove Nextcloud
If you no longer require the Nextcloud Desktop Client, you can remove it using different commands based on your installation method.
APT Remove Command for Nextcloud Desktop
For installations done through the APT package manager, use the following command to remove the Nextcloud Desktop Client:
sudo apt remove nextcloud-desktopIf you installed the PPA version and do not intend to use the software again, it is recommended also to remove the PPA with the following commands:
Stable Nextcloud Desktop PPA Removal:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:nextcloud-devs/client -yAlpha Nextcloud Desktop PPA Removal:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:nextcloud-devs/client-alpha -ySnap Remove Command for Nextcloud Desktop
For users who installed the Nextcloud Desktop Client via Snap, use the following command to remove it:
sudo snap remove nextcloud-desktop-clientFlatpak Remove Command for Nextcloud Desktop
For installations done through Flatpak, run the following command to uninstall the Nextcloud Desktop Client and delete related data:
flatpak uninstall --delete-data com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloudConclusion
Throughout this guide, we’ve walked you through the steps to install Nextcloud Desktop on Ubuntu versions 24.04, 22.04, and 20.04 LTS, diving into various methods like using .deb files, APT PPA, and Flatpak with Flathub. We also shared first-time tips to enhance your experience, from syncing preferences to security enhancements. Remember, updating your Nextcloud Desktop and customizing it to fit your workflow can significantly improve your productivity and data management on Ubuntu.
Useful Links
Here are some valuable links related to using Nextcloud on an Ubuntu:
- Nextcloud Official Website: Visit the official Nextcloud website for information about the file sharing and collaboration platform, its features, and download options.
- Nextcloud Desktop Client Documentation: Access the latest documentation for the Nextcloud desktop client, including installation, configuration, and usage guides.