Desktop client don't delete files on sync

📱 Desktop & mobile clients
1

Hi,

I’m using the Nextcould desktop client on Manjaro Linux (at home) and (K)Ubuntu (in office) and a Nextcloud server on my webspace.

When in delete a file on my home client, the file is also deleted on the server.
But on the second client, e.g. in office, the file is not deleted and I get an access denied error all the time.
I have to delete the files locally on my desktop by hand.

Is there a way, that the automatic sync also deletes files, that are not present on the server anymore?

Kind regards

2

Hi,

I understand the issue – on your Manjaro system at home, deleted files are correctly removed from the server, but on your Kubuntu machine at the office, the files remain and the client throws an “access denied” error. This seems like a permissions issue or a client configuration mismatch.

Let’s try to narrow it down with a few questions:

  1. What version of the Nextcloud Desktop client are you using on both systems?
    Different versions may behave differently, especially when it comes to deletions and file access.

  2. What version of your Nextcloud server are you running?
    Some sync behaviors depend on the server version and newer features.

  3. How is the sync folder set up on Kubuntu?
    For example – is it on an encrypted disk, mounted network share, or does it have non-standard permissions?

  4. Is the desktop client on Kubuntu running under the same user account that owns the sync folder?
    The “access denied” message could suggest a file system permission issue – either due to ownership or the way the client was installed (e.g., sandboxed).

Things to try:

  • Check the file/folder permissions on Kubuntu.
    Use ls -l in the sync folder to verify ownership and access rights. Make sure the user running the client has permission to delete files.

  • If you’re using the Flatpak version of the client on Kubuntu, it might be limited in its file access due to sandboxing. Consider switching to the regular version (from the repo or via Snap).

  • Compare sync settings in the desktop clients on both systems.
    Look for options like “Ask before delete,” “Keep files,” or “Remove files from local storage.”

  • Check the client log on Kubuntu.
    You can usually find it under ~/.local/share/Nextcloud/logs/ – there may be more detailed info about the “access denied” error.

If you can share the client and server versions, and maybe details on how the client was installed (Flatpak, Snap, repo…), we can help more precisely. From what you’ve described, it should be fixable through permissions or sync behavior settings.

3

Sure and that shall be the default beheavior. So i am surprised its not so on your setup

4

The Snap has same sandboxing limitations as flatpak. So its with regard to File access out of /home/<USER> not really better