Table of contents
Installing Nextcloud Client for University-owned devices
Installing Nextcloud Client to a personal device
Nextcloud can be accessed via a web browser at nextcloud.jyu.fi. To make the most of the service, it’s recommended to use the Nextcloud Client in addition to the cloud-based browser version. The Nextcloud Client is platform-specific software that integrates the files stored on the Nextcloud cloud server with the resource management of your device (any device running Windows, iOS, or Linux). This allows you to edit your Nextcloud files even when you’re offline. When your device reconnects to the internet, any changes made using the client are automatically synchronized with your Nextcloud cloud. You can download the client for Windows workstations from the university’s Software Center. Additionally, the program is available as a university-packaged version for Mac and Linux computers. Note that the Nextcloud Client cannot be installed on publicly accessible lecture hall or IT classroom computers.
Before installing, please note:
- Client creates local copies of your synchronised data on your device. Therefore, make sure that you have enough storage space on our Client device for the data that you want to synchronise, and that the data security of your Client device is up-to-date and meets the University's requirements (for the University's data security guidelines, see here; JYU login required).
- As a default, all of your personal cloud content will be synchronised. Contrastingly, Nextcloud Group folders are not automatically synchronised in order to prevent the Client device from using too much storage space. You can manage all default settings as well as manage which folders you want to synchronise in the program's synchronisation settings.
Installing Nextcloud Client for University-owned devices
1. Search for "Nextcloud" in the Software Center of your computer:
2. Search by "Nextcloud" in the Software Center and click "Install":
3. Search Nextcloud in the middle of your computer from the software search at the bottom and click Open:
4. You will now be directed to connect the Client to your Nextcloud account. In the window that will open, click "Log in":
5. In the address field that opens, type the JYU server address nextcloud.jyu.fi:
6. On the login page that opens, click Log in:
7. The University's DUO authentication page will now open. The DUO authentication is needed only when installing Client; in the future, you will access your Client directory directly without using two-factor authentication. Make sure that the mobile device you use for DUO authentication is at hand. Confirm the authentication from your mobile device by confirming the push notification:
8. In the login screen that opens, click "Grant access":
9. Almost there! The Nextcloud Client you installed is now linked to your Nextcloud account and is ready for use. To close the installation window:
10. Lastly, you will be guided through the configuration of the synchronisation settings between your cloud storage and your Client directory. In the first window, you can allow the program to synchronise data larger than 500 MB by unchecking the "Ask for confirmation before synchronising folders larger than 500 MB" box (see below). To continue with the configuration, click "Connect".
11. Clicking on "Choose what to sync" will allow you to select the folders you want to sync. Unless you manually specify the folders, the contents of all your personal Nextcloud folders will be automatically synchronized to the Client. You can change your selections at any time. You can also set the contents of group folders to sync from the "Choose what to sync" menu, if you are sure that their contents will not fill the storage space on your device. When you want to start the synchronisation, click "Connect":
12. When the synchronisation is ready, the icon in the opening window turns green. In the future, you can quickly add new files from your home directory to your synchronised Nextcloud directory from "Add New Folder Sync Connection". In the "Apply manual changes" menu in the bottom, you can select and unselect folders to and from synchronising:
Now the Nextcloud directory appears in the file explorer navigation to the left marginal of your device:
If the directory does not appear automatically after finishing the synchronisation, open the directory from the "Open folder" in the menu in program start window:
Installing Nextcloud Client to a personal device
1. You can download JYU's Nextcloud Client to your device at Install - Nextcloud. In addition to your computer, Nextcloud can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet running Android or iOS:
2. Open the downloaded installation file from the Downloads directory of your device:
3. In the installation window, click "Next":
4. You can skip the Customize setup suggestions at this point and just click "Next":
5. Then, click "Install":
6. In the address field that opens, type the JYU server address nextcloud.jyu.fi:
7. On the login page that opens, click "Login":
8. The University's DUO authentication page will now open. The DUO authentication is needed only when installing Client; in the future, you will access your Client directory directly without using two-factor authentication. Make sure that the mobile device you use for DUO authentication is at hand. Confirm the authentication from your mobile device by confirming the push notification:
9. In the login screen that opens, click "Grant access":
10. Almost there! The Nextcloud Client you installed is now linked to your Nextcloud account and is ready for use. To close the installation window:
11. Lastly, you will be guided through the configuration of the synchronisation settings between your cloud storage and your Client directory. In the first window, you can allow the program to synchronise data larger than 500 MB by unchecking the "Ask for confirmation before synchronising folders larger than 500 MB" box (see below). To continue with the configuration, click "Connect".
12. Clicking on "Choose what to sync" will allow you to select the folders you want to sync. Unless you manually specify the folders, the contents of all your personal Nextcloud folders will be automatically synchronized to the Client. You can change your selections at any time. You can also set the contents of group folders to sync from the "Choose what to sync" menu, if you are sure that their contents will not fill the storage space on your device. When you want to start the synchronisation, click "Connect":
13. When the synchronisation is ready, the icon in the opening window turns green. In the future, you can quickly add new files from your home directory to your synchronised Nextcloud directory from "Add New Folder Sync Connection". In the "Apply manual changes" menu in the bottom, you can select and unselect folders to and from synchronising:
Now the Nextcloud directory appears in the file explorer navigation to the left marginal of your device:
If the directory does not appear automatically after finishing the synchronisation, open the directory from the "Open folder" in the menu in program start window: