macOS VFS: Cannot free up local space (files never become virtual) + context menu options do nothing

📱 Desktop & mobile clients
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Hello everyone,

I’m experiencing a persistent issue with the macOS VFS client on two different Macs, and I would like to know if it might be a bug.

My setup

  • Server: TrueNAS Community Edition

  • Nextcloud AIO: running inside an Ubuntu Server VM

  • Tailscale: installed in the VM and up to date (1.90.9)

  • Mac clients:

    • Mac mini M4 Pro – macOS Tahoe 26.1

    • MacBook Pro 11,3 (Mid 2014) – macOS Sequoia 15.7.2 (clean install)

  • Tailscale: also installed and up to date (1.90.9) on both Macs

  • Connection: Both clients connect through the Tailscale HTTPS URL of the VM

  • Nextcloud Desktop client: version 4.0.2

What works

  • File syncing between devices works normally.

  • New files appear on the other Mac as virtual (cloud icon).

  • The “Recent changes” list in the client now updates correctly since version 4.0.2.

Issue

I cannot make any file become “virtual” (free up space) on either Mac.
The context-menu options appear, but selecting them does nothing.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Add a new file to the Nextcloud folder from Finder.
    → It uploads correctly and appears as local on that Mac.
    → On the other Mac it appears as virtual (cloud + arrow).

  2. Right-click the file on the first Mac.
    → The menu shows “Always keep downloaded” (even though it is already local).

  3. Clicking “Always keep downloaded” does nothing.

  4. Immediately after, right-clicking again shows “Allow automatic freeing up space”.

  5. Clicking “Allow automatic freeing up space” also does nothing.
    → The file remains local, the icon never changes, and disk space is not freed.

This behaviour is identical on both Macs, even though one is a completely clean installation.

Question

Could this be an issue with the macOS VFS/File Provider implementation in the Nextcloud client?
Or could it be related to using the Tailscale HTTPS endpoint?

I can provide logs or additional system information if needed.

Is the macOS VFS client considered stable and safe for everyday use, or is it still somewhat experimental at this stage?

Any guidance or confirmation would be very helpful.
Thank you!