user_manual/android_app.rst

   1 ==============================
   2 Using the ownCloud Android App
   3 ==============================
   4
   5 Accessing your files on your ownCloud server via the Web interface is easy and
   6 convenient, as you can use any Web browser on any operating system without
   7 installing special client software. However, the ownCloud Android app offers
   8 some advantages over the Web interface:
   9
  10 * A simplified interface that fits nicely on a tablet or smartphone
  11 * Automatic synchronization of your files
  12 * Instant uploads of photos or videos recorded on your Android device
  13 * Easily add files from your device to ownCloud
  14 * Two-factor authentication
  15
  16 Getting the ownCloud Android App
  17 --------------------------------
  18
  19 One way to get your ownCloud Android app is to log into your ownCloud server
  20 from your Android device using a Web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or
  21 Dolphin. The first time you log in to a new ownCloud account you'll see a screen
  22 with a download link to the ownCloud app in the `Google Play store
  23 <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.owncloud.android>`_.
  24
  25 .. figure:: images/android-1.png
  26    :scale: 75%
  27    :alt: Android app new account welcome screen.
  28
  29 You will also find these links on your Personal page in the ownCloud Web interface.
  30
  31 Find source code and more information from the `ownCloud download page
  32 <http://owncloud.org/install/#mobile>`_.
  33
  34 Connecting to Your ownCloud Server
  35 ----------------------------------
  36
  37 The first time you run your ownCloud Android app it opens to a configuration
  38 screen. Enter your server URL, login name, password, and click the Connect
  39 button. (Click the eyeball to the right of your password to expose your
  40 password.)
  41
  42 .. figure:: images/android-2.png
  43    :scale: 75%
  44    :alt: New account creation screen.
  45
  46 For best security your ownCloud server should be SSL-enabled, so that you can
  47 connect via ``https``. The ownCloud app will test your connection as soon as
  48 you enter it and tell you if you entered it correctly. If your server has a
  49 self-signed SSL certificate you'll get a warning that it is not to be
  50 trusted. Click the OK button to accept the certificate and complete your account
  51 setup.
  52
  53 .. figure:: images/android-3.png
  54    :alt: SSL certificate warning.
  55
  56 Managing Files
  57 --------------
  58
  59 Now you should see the Files page of your ownCloud account.
  60
  61 .. figure:: images/android-4.png
  62    :scale: 75%
  63    :alt: Your ownCloud Files page.
  64
  65 The ownCloud menu at the top left shows the name of the logged-in user, has a
  66 shortcut to your files, and contains the Settings button.
  67
  68 .. figure:: images/android-5.png
  69    :alt: Top-left menu.
  70
  71 Click the overflow button at the top right (that's the one with three vertical
  72 dots, and that is really what it is called) to open a user menu. ``Refresh
  73 account`` syncs your files, and ``Sort`` gives you the option to sort your files
  74 by date, or alphabetically.
  75
  76 .. figure:: images/android-6.png
  77    :alt: Top-right menu.
  78
  79 The little file folder icon to the left of the overflow button opens a dialog to
  80 create a new folder. The arrow button opens a file upload dialog, and you can
  81 either upload content from other Android apps such as Google Drive, the Gallery,
  82 your music player, or from your Android filesystem.
  83
  84 .. figure:: images/android-7.png
  85    :scale: 75%
  86    :alt: File upload dialogue.
  87
  88 All files (that you have permission to access) on your ownCloud server are
  89 displayed in your Android app, but are not downloaded until you click on them to
  90 download them. Downloaded files are marked with a green arrow.
  91
  92 .. figure:: images/android-8.png
  93    :scale: 75%
  94    :alt: Downloaded files are marked with green arrows.
  95
  96 Download and preview a file with a short press on the filename.  Then a short
  97 press on the overflow button opens a menu with
  98 options for managing your file.
  99
 100 .. figure:: images/android-9.png
 101    :scale: 75%
 102    :alt: File management options. Betsy Ross says "Don't believe everything you
 103    read on the Internet."
 104
 105 When you are on your mail Files page, a long press on any folder displays a
 106 list of options: Share Link, Download, Rename, Move, Copy, and Remove.
 107
 108 .. figure:: images/android-11.png
 109    :scale: 75%
 110    :alt: Folder and file management options.
 111
 112 When you enter a folder, a long press on any file or folder has these
 113 additional options: Open With, Refresh File, Send, Favorite, and Details. The
 114 Download option appears on files that have not been downloaded to your Android
 115 device.
 116
 117 Settings
 118 --------
 119
 120 Use the Settings screen to control your ownCloud app functions.
 121
 122 .. figure:: images/android-10.png
 123    :scale: 75%
 124    :alt: Setting screen.
 125
 126 In the Accounts section you can set up and manage multiple accounts.
 127
 128 The Security section sets up strong two-factor authentication by allowing you
 129 to add a PIN (personal identification number) to access your account.
 130
 131 The Instant Uploads section creates a directory, :file:`/InstantUpload`, and any
 132 photos or videos created with your Android device's camera are instantly
 133 uploaded to this directory. You also have the option to choose any other
 134 existing directory, or to create a new one. Another nice option is Upload
 135 Pictures/Video via WiFi Only, to conserve your mobile data usage.
 136
 137 The bottom section of the Settings screen has links to help and the
 138 app's version number.