Nextcloud Says Google Is Hurting Its Android App

Google is reportedly blocking Nextcloud, the open-source unreality retention service, from afloat record entree connected Android devices. Nextcloud is accusing Google of anti-competitive behavior, portion a afloat functional mentation remains disposable done the F-Droid store.

Nextcloud is simply a self-hostable and open-source unreality platform, allowing you to big your ain record retention (like Google Drive oregon OneDrive), online bureau suite (like Google Docs), calendar, contacts, video conferring, and different services. It has desktop and mobile clients disposable for record synchronization and different features.

Nextcloud told The Register that Google removed the ‘All files access’ permission from the Nextcloud Files app, and requested that the app usage “a much privacy-aware replacement.” In modern versions of Android, that support is expected to lone beryllium utilized erstwhile applications can’t relation with the much constricted scoped retention features, similar the Storage Access Framework (SAF). Google says successful its developer documentation, “If you people your app to Google Play, cautiously work the notice. If you people Android 11 and state All files access, it tin impact your quality to people and update your app connected Google Play.”

Related

How to Self-Host a Collaborative Cloud with Nextcloud and Docker

Nextcloud is an open-source file-sharing and collaboration level to rival services similar Google Workplace and Microsoft 365. Nextcloud lets you self-host your ain collaborative cloud, truthful you don't request to shackle yourself to a nationalist provider. Running Nextcloud arsenic a Docker instrumentality simplifies the setup process and lets you isolate the installation from your different applications.

Nextcloud claims it can’t usage the alternate options, due to the fact that they don’t let the app to entree (and optionally synchronize) arsenic galore section files connected the device. The institution said, “SAF cannot beryllium used, arsenic it is for sharing/exposing our files to different apps ... MediaStore API cannot beryllium utilized arsenic it does not let entree to different files, but lone media files.” There are complaints from users that the app can’t decently synchronize folders from extracurricular the application—for example, if you prime a section folder of crippled oregon notes data, two-way synchronization with the unreality astir apt won’t work.

Nextcloud besides said, “Despite aggregate appeals from our broadside and sharing further background, Google is not considering reinstating upload for each files. […] Big Tech is frightened that tiny players similar Nextcloud volition disrupt them, similar they erstwhile disrupted different companies. So they effort to unopen the door.”

Google did not respond to aggregate requests for remark from The Register, but galore large and small app developers person complained astir the Google Play Store’s app reappraisal process implicit the years.

If you privation the champion imaginable Nextcloud acquisition connected Android, you’ll person to download it from the F-Droid store, which tin freely usage the ‘All files access’ support (after you assistance it) for afloat functionality. You tin besides effort moving arsenic galore files arsenic imaginable to Nextcloud’s ain app storage, alternatively of trying to synchronize them from outer record strategy locations. The mentation disposable done F-Droid is inactive free, but does necessitate the F-Droid app to beryllium installed for automatic update checks.

Source: The Register