How to access nextcloud files using web dav Nextcloud and webdav #webdav #nextcloud #nextcloudfiles #homeserver #server #lab

 29-08-2025

Yes 👍 — apart from the official **Nextcloud app** or going to the **web UI**, you can access your Nextcloud server in other ways because at its core it’s just a **WebDAV server**.

Here are the main alternatives:

---

### 🔹 1. File Explorer (Windows)

Windows can connect to Nextcloud as a network drive via **WebDAV**:

1. Open **File Explorer** → Right-click **This PC** → **Map network drive**.

    

2. Choose a drive letter (e.g., `Z:`).

    

3. Enter your Nextcloud WebDAV URL:

    

    ```

    http://nextcloud.local:8090/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/

    ```

    

    (replace `USERNAME` with your Nextcloud username).

    

4. Enter your Nextcloud credentials.

    

5. Now your Nextcloud files appear like a normal drive.

    

---

### 🔹 2. Linux File Manager (Nautilus, Dolphin, Thunar etc.)

Most Linux file managers support WebDAV:

- In Nautilus (GNOME):  

    Press `Ctrl+L` → type:

    

    ```

    dav://nextcloud.local:8090/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/

    ```

    

- In Dolphin (KDE):

    

    ```

    webdav://nextcloud.local:8090/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/

    ```

    

---

### 🔹 3. macOS Finder

1. In Finder → menu bar → **Go → Connect to Server**.

    

2. Enter:

    

    ```

    https://nextcloud.local/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/

    ```

    

3. Login → it mounts as a network drive.

    

---

### 🔹 4. Command Line (Linux / macOS / Windows WSL)

Use `cadaver` (WebDAV client):

```bash

cadaver http://nextcloud.local:8090/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/

```

Or use `rclone` (very flexible for syncing & mounting):

```bash

rclone config

```

Choose **WebDAV → Nextcloud**, then:

```bash

rclone mount mynextcloud:/ ~/Nextcloud

```

---

### 🔹 5. Mobile (without Nextcloud app)

- **Android:** Use any WebDAV-supported file manager (e.g., Solid Explorer, CX File Explorer).

    

- **iOS:** Use the built-in **Files** app → “Connect to Server” → enter WebDAV URL.

    

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⚡ In short:  

You don’t _have_ to use Nextcloud’s web page or app. Just connect via **WebDAV** (built into most OSes) and it will feel like a normal shared folder.

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👉 Do you want me to write you a **step-by-step guide for mapping it as a network drive on Windows**, so you can open it like “My Computer → Z: Drive”?