Trying to replace Google Photos with OC storage

Android
1

I would really like to use the storage already in use on OC and have gallery access and functionality like what’s available with Google Photos. The easiest solution would seem to be giving the gallery app access to the local OC storage where it can display the photos available as well as categorize and place into albums. However, I understand a not-so-recent update to the app introduced scopes for security purposes that prevents this. The OC app is… functional, but difficult to use when trying to scroll through a large quantity of pictures, especially with the thumbnail generation issue where the server stops providing updates after a short time. Is there any solution for this?

Actual behaviour

  • Gallery app(s) cannot access OC storage but files manager can

Expected behaviour

  • Desired behavior is the ability to replace Google Photos with those already uploaded to OC; allow the gallery access to a folder and browse the photos therein

Steps to reproduce

  1. Connect to OC server using the android app
  2. Observe files in file explorer
  3. Note inability to access storage in gallery app

Can this problem be reproduced with the official owncloud server?
(url: https://demo.owncloud.org, user: test, password: test)
Yes

Environment data

Android version: 15

Device model: Pixel 8 Pro

Stock or customized system: N/A

ownCloud app version: 4.5.1

ownCloud server version:

2

Hi @scoobydrvr!!

oC files are only accesible via documents provider (SAF), because Google restrictions. That means, other apps can only access it if have the documents provider integrated. There is no other way, unfortunately.

Just a comment, oC app does not generate thumbnails, they are directly retrieved from the server and displayed. I agree that the process of displaying is not very fast… something we should think about!

Thanks for reporting!

3

Thank you for clearing up what I suspected was going on with Android restrictions. This method of, what I call streaming, is something that Google Photos and iCloud does really well and I wish OC could do the same. It’s not a great experience to have to set up the backup, backup my files, then download the files again and have to view them through the OC app. I wish it was possible to just “stream” the image instead of saving locally with a gallery-like skin to be able to search or sort by date and create albums. Does OC or any other add-on app offer this kind of feature?

As for the thumbnails - it would be very nice if the responsiveness could be improved or perhaps the thumbnails cached locally once created!