Nextcloud - Setup for address book and calendar

Guide to Setting Up Nextcloud on the VollaPhone with F-Droid

This guide explains how to set up your Nextcloud on the VollaPhone using F-Droid as the app source to synchronize calendars and contacts with the pre-installed apps Fossify Calendar, Fossify Contacts, and DAVx⁵.

Prerequisites

• Android phone with F-Droid as the app store.
• Nextcloud server is running and accessible (e.g., https://your-domain.com).
• The apps DAVx⁵, Fossify Calendar, and Fossify Contacts are already installed via F-Droid.
• You have your Nextcloud login credentials (username and password) ready.

1. Install and Set Up the Nextcloud App

The Nextcloud app simplifies integration and is useful for file synchronization, even though this guide focuses on calendars and contacts.

Installation

1. Open F-Droid on your VollaPhone.
2. Search for Nextcloud.
3. Install the app if not already done.

Setup

1. Launch the Nextcloud app.
2. Tap “Log in.”
3. Enter your Nextcloud server URL (e.g., https://your-domain.com) and tap “Next.”
4. Enter your username and password.
5. Confirm access by tapping “Grant access” (if a confirmation window appears).
6. You should now see an overview of your Nextcloud files, indicating a successful connection.

2. Configure DAVx⁵ for Calendar and Contact Synchronization

DAVx⁵ is the tool that enables synchronization of calendars (CalDAV) and contacts (CardDAV) between your Nextcloud and Android apps.

Launch DAVx⁵

1. Open the DAVx⁵ app on your Android phone.

Add a New Account

1. Tap the “+” icon at the bottom right to create a new account.
2. Select “Log in with Nextcloud” (this is the easiest option as it leverages Nextcloud integration).

Login

1. A login window will open.
2. Enter your Nextcloud URL again (e.g., https://your-domain.com) if prompted.
3. Log in with your username and password.
4. Allow DAVx⁵ to access your Nextcloud by tapping “Grant access.”
5. Optional: If you use two-factor authentication (2FA), create an app-specific password in the Nextcloud web interface under Settings > Security > Devices & Sessions and use it instead of your regular password.

Select Synchronization Options

1. After successful login, DAVx⁵ displays a list of available data:
   • CardDAV: Your address books (contacts).
   • CalDAV: Your calendars.
2. Check the boxes for the calendars and address books you want to synchronize (e.g., “Personal Calendar” and “Default Address Book”).
3. Tap the checkmark icon in the top right to save your selection.

Grant Permissions

1. Android will prompt for calendar and contact access permissions. Tap “Allow” for both.
2. DAVx⁵ is now connected to your Nextcloud and will begin synchronizing data.

Adjust Synchronization Interval (Optional)

1. In DAVx⁵, go to Settings (gear icon in the top right).
2. Tap your Nextcloud account.
3. Under Synchronization interval, choose, e.g., “Every 15 minutes” or “Manual.” For starters, “Every 15 minutes” is recommended.

3. Set Up Fossify Calendar

The Fossify Calendar app uses the data synchronized by DAVx⁵ and displays it.

Launch the App

1. Open Fossify Calendar.

Select Calendar

1. Tap the menu (three lines in the top left).
2. Select “Choose calendars.”
3. You should see your Nextcloud calendar (e.g., “Personal Calendar”) synchronized via DAVx⁵.
4. Check the box next to your calendar and tap “OK.”
5. Your Nextcloud appointments should now be displayed.

Enable Synchronization

1. Go to Settings (in the menu).
2. Ensure CalDAV synchronization is enabled (this should be automatic since DAVx⁵ provides the data).
3. Optional: Customize the calendar’s color to distinguish it from others.

4. Set Up Fossify Contacts

The Fossify Contacts app also displays contacts synchronized by DAVx⁵.

Launch the App

1. Open Fossify Contacts.

Select Contact Source

1. Tap the menu (three lines in the top left).
2. Select “Show contacts from.”
3. Enable your Nextcloud address book (e.g., “Default Address Book” under your DAVx⁵ account).
4. Tap “OK.” Your Nextcloud contacts should now be visible.

Save New Contacts

1. When creating a new contact (via the “+” icon):
   • Select your Nextcloud account as the storage location (appears as an option under DAVx⁵) so new contacts are automatically synchronized with Nextcloud.

5. Test Synchronization

Calendar

1. Create a test appointment in the Nextcloud web interface (under Calendar).
2. Wait briefly (up to 15 minutes, depending on the sync interval) or force a manual sync in DAVx⁵ (tap the account > synchronization icon).
3. Check if the appointment appears in Fossify Calendar.

Contacts

1. Add a test contact in Fossify Contacts (storage location: Nextcloud account).
2. Verify in the Nextcloud web interface (under Contacts) if the contact appears.

6. Fine-Tuning and Optimization

Automatic Synchronization

1. In Android, under Settings > Accounts > DAVx⁵, ensure synchronization for calendars and contacts is enabled.

Wi-Fi Only (Optional)

1. In DAVx⁵, under Settings > Synchronization, enable “Wi-Fi only” to save data.

Notifications

1. In Fossify Calendar, under Settings > Reminders, set how long before appointments you want reminders.

Troubleshooting

No Data Visible

1. Check in DAVx⁵ if synchronization was successful (tap the account > view log).
2. Ensure the correct calendars and address books are enabled in DAVx⁵.

Connection Errors

1. Verify the server URL (must start with https:// and be correct).
2. If 2FA is active, use an app-specific password.

No Synchronization

1. Force a manual sync in DAVx⁵ or check the internet connection.

Conclusion

With this setup, your Nextcloud calendars and contacts are fully synchronized with your Android phone. The Fossify apps provide a privacy-friendly, simple interface, and DAVx⁵ ensures seamless integration with Nextcloud. You now have full control over your data without relying on proprietary services like Google.

Good luck!