Looking for instructions on how to install and run a Nexcloud server on Mac.
I’ve been running servers before, even administrating Nextcloud from a 3rd party web host, so I’m not too new to this overall. In order to install Nextcloud on mac, I’m looking for what procedure needs to be done. What dependencies will I need - pre-installed even.
I am surprised that this information seems lacking from the internet overall. I’ve been searching for so long. I’m hoping for some tips and links to where this information might be found.
Also, if anyone cares to comment on why this information - for mac - is so lacking, I’d be interesting to hear. I know such info is plentyful for Linux, and also Windows. Perhaps running Nextcloud from Mac is generally a bad idea, or partially not supported?
@szaimen Hi and thanks.
I have been contemplating and trying the options you mentioned.
However, I also found a whole guide written in 2020, how to install Nextcloud on MacOS.
I was wandering of some readers might look it through and share some impressions about how well this might work. The process described seems surprisingly straight forward. Installation of Apache, PHP and MySQL along with some editing of config files.
I can’t answer your actual question, since I’m not a Mac user, but I rather have some general thoughts about this…
In general it is not a good idea to install Nextcloud or any server application on your regular computer which you also use for your day-to-day computing tasks, like surfing the web etc. Mainly for the following two reasons:
Security concerns when installed natively on the same os you are also using for other things.
Obvious practical reasons and limitatations, like maintaining uptime and availability.
If this Mac is a separate computer, which you re-purposeing as a server, I would recommand installing Linux on it or use Linux VMs. Mainly for the follwing reasons, some of which you even named yourself:
Most server apps you’re likely ever gonna want to use in a homelab are built for Linux
Most of the guides are for Linux.
Support on Linux is better meaning…
…If you run into issues, you can’t solve yourself, you will more likely find a solution.
Conclusion:
If your project is meant to be a challenge or proof of concept, do it! …and report back your experiences here.
If it’s meant to be actually used, either by yourself, your partner, your family or friends, please do it right and use a dedicated Linux server. Otherwise, you won’t be happy in the long run…
…and your users won’t use it, if it’s not available because your macOS is updating or because you can’t find a solution to an issue. And issues will definitely come up at some point…
@BB77: Hi. Thanks alot for sound suggestions.
It’s not a proof of concept, I’m putting together project collab server.
I guess I just like Mac This one is a separate machine used for server dutys only, Nextcloud and FTPS. I felt certain it could handle Nextcloud natively. But you’re right. This is the first time I’m hosting Nexcloud myself, I will be needing support along the way - possibly plenty of it. So, Linux it is. Going to install Ubuntu on the Mac.
Wow. I can’t get Ubuntu installed, because the mac refuses to open the Startup Manager mode, which lets you install from a portable medium. Reason unknown, and no way around it - I think. Been on Google and several forums about this for hours. Tips would be greatly appretiated.
So, so far no go for native Linux install. Gotta look at VM or Docker then.
Unfortunately, I don’t really know much about Macs. Is this a newer model with M1 processor? On the M1 models VMs are afaik the only feasable option at the moment, but there are people working on bringing Linux natively to the M1 Macs. On x86 Macs, however, it should definitely be possible to install Linux, either as DualBoot or even as the only OS.
Thanks for encouraging words.
It is a late 2012 mac mini, 2,7gHz/16gb RAM, and I know people are installing Linux on such models just fine. This one seems to just be acting up. I’m going nuts here, my Nextcloud hopes are backpedaling, coagulating on me before I even started. Aah! X-(
I’ve run all recommendations, and idea-threads to their end station now, including plenty of tedious systematic improvisation. Still nothing, just the same.
Not that this is a Mac support thread But at this point reaching for whatever hope I can get. Even considering selling this one, and getting a used similar one, just to get one where the normal boot mode is working.
Wish me luck!
If you gonna to replace it anyways, you should consider replacing it with a “normal” PC. They can usually be found cheaper than an equivalent Mac and are way more flexible when it comes to hardware upgrades and the installation of different operating systems, except when it comes to installing macOS of course
Hah, I did it! I got Linux installed on the Mac. Much thanks to @Daphne 's best luck wishes, I’m sure Though it took me days.
In order to avoid starting a flame war, let’s just say I generally don’t like “normal PCs” and the procedure of handling of their hardware
Thanks for the support and sound advice, guys. I will be spamming the forum with plenty of questions shortly, I’m sure.
A bit of a late hit, with it being over a year since you said you got it going. But, any tips on how you did it… a forum post you followed, etc?
I’m looking to do something similar with an older, mid 2011 Mac Mini, currently running as a headless fileserver.
My RPI 4 in a DeskPi Pro 2 enclosure running Ubuntu doesn’t seem to have the muscle to handle NextCloud with all of the images I’m hosting there (mainly due to image thumbnail generation, and large file upload woes), and I was going to experiment to see if a more graphics-centric Mac, even an older Mini like mine would have the oomph to do better.
There are many reasons I’d love to run this on a mac natively.
First, Stalwart can run on a Mac
Second everything else I do runs on a Mac/iOS/…
and
MOST IMPORTANTLY there’s no backup product out there that’s as foolproof and simple as TimeMachine on the Mac.
The idea of backup and restore of a Linux machine with all the setup and tweaking that goes along with it, makes me barf.
And yes, I’m quite familiar with Linux, us a whole stable of RasPis, etc but all of these installations are considered “disposable”.
I could of course back up entire VMs virtual drives with TimeMachine, but that would create insanely large/slow backups, etc.
Well, when it comes to restoring the database, it might not be quite so simple and foolproof anymore, because Time Machine is, after all, just a file-based backup with a fancy interface, and therefore not really suited for backing up and restoring databases in a consistent state, especially while they are running.
On the actual topic…
There is still no official support for MacOS, and as far as I can tell there is no indication that this will change any time soon, so all previous answers in this thread still apply, and the most straightforward and hassle-free way to install and run it on macOS is probably still Nextcloud-AIO.
Well, just as for TimeMachine: since the introduction of APFS, TimeMachine does a file system snapshot first, then backs that up. So if the databases have atomic transactions and can recover from e.g. a power outage, then they can recover from whatever state a TimeMachine backup saves.
In the older HFS+ based system that wasn’t true, of course.
Also, if one wants be extra safe, one could spin down NC or put into maintenance mode, run the backup, and spin things back up, all with a script.
The key issue is the ease of restoration of a TM backup, there’s nothing that comes even remotely close on the Linux side (at least that I’m aware of, I’d love to be proven wrong…)
That said, I don’t mind a bit of hands on work installing things on macOS proper.
What worries me more, was that once eons ago, there was talk about how macOS vs. Linux/Windows normalize unicode file names, and that this was causing issues with OwnCloud being run on macOS. Given that Nextcloud is a fork, unless there were some bugs to force Unicode file name normalization in a particular way, that might cause unforeseen issues…
Gotta look at VM or Docker then.