Moving files from NC volume to storage

Nextcloud version (eg, 29.0.5): 29.0.3
Nextcloud AIO version: 9.1.0
Operating system and version (eg, Ubuntu 29.04): Ubuntu

Hey guys,

I am currently storing all of my files on a Nextcloud/Docker volume, and I would like to know the best way to fully export/move these files into a normal directory, such that I might import the files into something like Immich/Photoprism.

Also, in general is it better to keep files stored in the docker volume? I’ve been using my current setup for almost 2 years now and I haven’t had any issues outside of situations like this where I want to test other services using files stored on Nextcloud (like Immich, Paperless, etc)

Thanks!!

from the application point of view there is no much difference how you access the files. you can use both docker volumes of bind mounts - as long the path is accessible inside of the container with right privileges.

direct storage access from another application could result in issues and is discouraged.

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There are multiple ways, but unless you want to get into the nitty gritty of Docker named volumes and where they’re stored and what is safe to to do them outside of Docker I would suggest using the built-in tools for backing up: Volumes | Docker Docs

Then presumably you’d swap your existing named volume reference(s) to a new bind mount source on your host where the restored files are located.

Do make sure things are offline (or in maintenance mode) when you do this.