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Nextcloud Sync

Nextcloud Sync

HandWrite Pro can sync your documents with a Nextcloud server, keeping your notes on your own infrastructure instead of a third-party cloud. Nextcloud sync and Google Drive sync are mutually exclusive — only one can be active at a time.

Requires: HandWrite Pro Premium

Why Nextcloud?

  • Your data, your server — no third-party cloud provider has access to your notes
  • Full privacy — sync runs over HTTPS; credentials are encrypted on your device
  • Self-hosted — works with any Nextcloud server, including home installations
  • Automatic — background sync every ~10 minutes while the app is open
  • Restore capability — documents deleted locally can be re-downloaded from Nextcloud

Setting Up Nextcloud Sync

Quick Setup (Browser Sign-In)

  1. Open Settings — tap the gear icon on the document screen
  2. Scroll to Nextcloud settings and enable Nextcloud Sync
  3. Enter your Server URL (e.g. https://cloud.example.com)
  4. Tap Sign in with Nextcloud — a browser window opens for authentication
  5. Sign in and approve access in the Nextcloud browser UI
  6. Your credentials are saved automatically

Manual Setup

  1. Enable Nextcloud Sync in Settings
  2. Enter Server URL, Username, and Password (or an app password)
  3. Tap Test connection to verify
  4. Tap Save

Self-signed certificates: If your server uses a self-signed TLS certificate, enable Trust self-signed certificate (with a warning).

Syncing Your Documents

Manual Sync

  • From the document list: Open the left drawer and tap Sync with cloud
  • From the editor: Open the left drawer and tap Sync with Nextcloud (only visible when Nextcloud is active)

The status line below the button shows when the last sync occurred.

Automatic Sync

When enabled, HandWrite Pro syncs in the background roughly every 10 minutes while the app is open.

Force a Full Sync

If you suspect the sync state is out of date:

  1. Go to Settings → Nextcloud settings → Reset sync cache
  2. Confirm — the next sync will re-upload all documents and re-download any remote files

What Gets Synced

File type Description
.hwsm HandWrite Pro document — vector strokes, layers, pages, settings
.pdf Optional PDF companion, synced alongside each document
.meta Sidecar file with document name and folder assignment

Files are stored flat in HandWritePro/ at the root of your Nextcloud. Folder membership is preserved via .meta sidecar files — if a folder doesn't exist on a receiving device, it's created automatically.

Conflict Resolution

If the same document is edited on two devices, the newer version wins (based on modification timestamp). The sync is silent — no conflict UI is presented.

Wi-Fi Only

By default, sync only runs on Wi-Fi. To allow syncing on mobile data, go to Settings and disable Sync on Wi-Fi only.

Troubleshooting

Symptom Solution
"Connection failed" during setup Check server URL (must include https://), username, and password. Try an app password.
Sync button does nothing Verify internet connection and that Nextcloud sync is enabled in Settings.
Documents missing on server Server URL must point to your Nextcloud root. Files go to HandWritePro/.
Sync is slow Large documents with many strokes take longer. Wi-Fi is recommended.
TLS certificate error Enable Trust self-signed certificate if your server uses a self-signed cert.
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