How to Install Nextcloud Desktop on Ubuntu

Nextcloud Desktop Client keeps your files synchronized between your Ubuntu system and any Nextcloud server, whether self-hosted or provider-managed. Once connected, changes you make locally appear on the server and all other connected devices automatically. Common use cases include syncing documents across multiple workstations, backing up important files to a private cloud, and collaborating with team members through shared folders. As a result, you gain seamless access to your data from anywhere. By the end of this guide, you will have a working Nextcloud Desktop installation with file synchronization configured and verified.

Choose Your Installation Method

Ubuntu offers several ways to install Nextcloud Desktop Client, each with different trade-offs for version freshness, update management, and system integration. Therefore, the table below compares the available options to help you choose:

Method	Channel	Version	Updates	Best For
Nextcloud PPA	Launchpad PPA	Latest stable	Automatic via apt upgrade	Users on Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 who want the newest releases
Flatpak	Flathub	Latest stable	Automatic via flatpak update	Users who prefer sandboxed apps or need the latest version on 26.04
Snap	Snapcraft	Community-maintained	Automatic via snap refresh	Users who want a self-contained package with minimal setup

For most users on Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04, the PPA method is recommended because it provides the latest stable release with seamless APT integration. Ubuntu 26.04 users should use Flatpak or Snap instead, as the PPA does not yet publish packages for that release.

These steps cover Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, and 26.04 LTS. The Nextcloud PPA provides packages for 22.04 and 24.04 only, while Flatpak and Snap work across all versions. Commands shown are identical across supported releases unless noted otherwise.

Method 1: Install Nextcloud Desktop via PPA

The Nextcloud development PPA provides the latest stable releases of Nextcloud Desktop Client, typically ahead of what Ubuntu’s default repositories offer. As a result, this method integrates with your system’s package manager for automatic updates alongside other software.

Update System Packages

Before adding external repositories, update your existing packages to avoid dependency conflicts:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Add the Nextcloud PPA

Next, add the official Nextcloud development PPA to your system. You can choose between the stable release or the alpha channel. In general, the stable PPA offers the best balance of new features and reliability:

First, for the stable version:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nextcloud-devs/client -y

Alternatively, for the alpha version (latest features, may be less stable):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nextcloud-devs/client-alpha -y

The add-apt-repository command automatically refreshes your package index after adding the PPA, so you can proceed directly to installation.

Install Nextcloud Desktop

Now, with the PPA configured, install the Nextcloud Desktop Client:

sudo apt install nextcloud-desktop

Verify Installation

Once installation completes, confirm the client is accessible by checking its version:

nextcloud --version

You should see output similar to:

Nextcloud version 4.0.4

Method 2: Install Nextcloud Desktop via Snap

Snap packages are self-contained and include all dependencies, which makes them ideal for users who want consistent behavior across different Ubuntu versions. By default, Ubuntu includes Snap on standard desktop installations. If Snap is missing (common on minimal, WSL, or container images), install it first:

sudo apt install snapd

Install Nextcloud Desktop via Snap

Once Snap is available, install the Nextcloud client with a single command:

sudo snap install nextcloud-client

While the Snap version is community-maintained rather than published by the official Nextcloud team, it provides a functional client that receives regular updates through Snap’s automatic refresh mechanism.

Verify Installation

To verify the installation succeeded, run:

snap list nextcloud-client

You should see output similar to:

Name              Version  Rev   Tracking       Publisher        Notes
nextcloud-client  3.14.2   237   latest/stable  nickvergessen    -

Method 3: Install Nextcloud Desktop via Flatpak

Flatpak provides sandboxed applications that run consistently across different Linux distributions. As a result, this method is particularly useful for Ubuntu 26.04 users who cannot use the PPA, or for anyone who prefers the latest upstream releases with application isolation.

However, if Flatpak is not installed on your system, follow our Flatpak installation guide for Ubuntu to set up the framework and add the Flathub repository. This typically takes under five minutes.

Enable the Flathub Repository

Flathub serves as the primary source for Flatpak applications. If you haven’t already added it, run:

sudo flatpak remote-add --system --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

The --if-not-exists flag ensures the command succeeds even if Flathub is already configured.

Install Nextcloud Desktop via Flatpak

Next, with Flathub enabled, install the Nextcloud Desktop Client:

sudo flatpak install --system flathub com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloud -y

Verify Installation

To verify Nextcloud Desktop is installed correctly, run:

sudo flatpak list --system | grep -i nextcloud

You should see output similar to:

Nextcloud Desktop Client    com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloud    4.0.4    stable    system

Launch Nextcloud Desktop

Once installation is complete, you can launch Nextcloud Desktop either through your desktop environment’s application menu or from the terminal. The launch command depends on your installation method.

Launch from Terminal

If you installed via APT or the PPA, use:

nextcloud

Alternatively, Snap users should run:

snap run nextcloud-client

Meanwhile, Flatpak users can launch with:

flatpak run com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloud

Launch from Applications Menu

Alternatively, open your Activities overview by pressing the Super key or clicking Activities in the top-left corner. Then type “Nextcloud” in the search field and click the application icon when it appears.

Initial Setup

When you first launch Nextcloud Desktop, it prompts you to connect to your Nextcloud server. First, enter your server URL, then authenticate through the browser window that opens. After authentication, choose which folders to synchronize and where to store them locally.

Manage Nextcloud Desktop

Update Nextcloud Desktop

Regularly updating Nextcloud Desktop ensures you have the latest security patches and features. However, the update command depends on how you installed the client.

If you installed via APT or the PPA, run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command updates all APT-managed packages, including Nextcloud Desktop if a new version is available from the PPA.

Alternatively, Snap users should run:

sudo snap refresh

Meanwhile, Flatpak users can update with:

sudo flatpak update --system

Remove Nextcloud Desktop

If you no longer need Nextcloud Desktop, remove it using the appropriate method for your installation.

To remove an APT or PPA installation, run:

sudo apt remove nextcloud-desktop

Additionally, if you want to remove the PPA from your system, run one of these commands depending on which PPA you added:

To remove the stable PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:nextcloud-devs/client -y

Or for the alpha PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:nextcloud-devs/client-alpha -y

For Snap installations, remove the package with:

sudo snap remove nextcloud-client

Finally, Flatpak users can remove the application with:

sudo flatpak uninstall --system --delete-data com.nextcloud.desktopclient.nextcloud

Importantly, the --delete-data flag removes application data stored by Flatpak. However, your synchronized files remain untouched in your local Nextcloud folder.

Conclusion

You now have Nextcloud Desktop Client installed and configured on Ubuntu. Whether you chose the PPA for its APT integration, Snap for its self-contained packaging, or Flatpak for its sandboxing and universal compatibility, your files will synchronize automatically with your Nextcloud server. For FTP and SFTP transfers to your Nextcloud server, consider FileZilla on Ubuntu, or explore Docker on Ubuntu if you want to self-host your own Nextcloud instance.

Useful Links

Finally, for additional information about Nextcloud:

• Nextcloud Official Website: Information about the platform, hosting providers, and download options.
• Nextcloud Desktop Client Documentation: Official documentation covering configuration, troubleshooting, and advanced features.