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 * Share files with other ownCloud users and groups, and create public share
  13   links
  14 * Instant uploads of photos or videos recorded on your Android device
  15 * Easily add files from your device to ownCloud
  16 * Two-factor authentication
  17
  18 Getting the ownCloud Android App
  19 --------------------------------
  20
  21 One way to get your ownCloud Android app is to log into your ownCloud server
  22 from your Android device using a Web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or
  23 Dolphin. The first time you log in to a new ownCloud account you'll see a screen
  24 with a download link to the ownCloud app in the `Google Play store
  25 <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.owncloud.android>`_.
  26
  27 .. figure:: images/android-1.png
  28    :scale: 75%
  29    :alt: Android app new account welcome screen.
  30
  31 You will also find these links on your Personal page in the ownCloud Web interface.
  32
  33 Find source code and more information from the `ownCloud download page
  34 <http://owncloud.org/install/#mobile>`_.
  35
  36 Connecting to Your ownCloud Server
  37 ----------------------------------
  38
  39 The first time you run your ownCloud Android app it opens to a configuration
  40 screen. Enter your server URL, login name, password, and click the Connect
  41 button. (Click the eyeball to the right of your password to expose your
  42 password.)
  43
  44 .. figure:: images/android-2.png
  45    :scale: 75%
  46    :alt: New account creation screen.
  47
  48 For best security your ownCloud server should be SSL-enabled, so that you can
  49 connect via ``https``. The ownCloud app will test your connection as soon as
  50 you enter it and tell you if you entered it correctly. If your server has a
  51 self-signed SSL certificate you'll get a warning that it is not to be
  52 trusted. Click the OK button to accept the certificate and complete your account
  53 setup.
  54
  55 .. figure:: images/android-3.png
  56    :alt: SSL certificate warning.
  57
  58 Managing Files
  59 --------------
  60
  61 Now you should see the Files page of your ownCloud account.
  62
  63 .. figure:: images/android-4.png
  64    :scale: 75%
  65    :alt: Your ownCloud Files page.
  66
  67 The ownCloud menu at the top left shows the name of the logged-in user, has a
  68 shortcut to your files, and contains the Settings button.
  69
  70 .. figure:: images/android-5.png
  71    :alt: Top-left menu.
  72
  73 Click the overflow button at the top right (that's the one with three vertical
  74 dots) to open a user menu. ``Refresh account`` syncs your files, and ``Sort``
  75 gives you the option to sort your files by date, or alphabetically.
  76
  77 .. figure:: images/android-6.png
  78    :alt: Top-right menu.
  79
  80 The little file folder icon to the left of the overflow button opens a dialog to
  81 create a new folder. The arrow button opens a file upload dialog, and you can
  82 either upload content from other Android apps such as Google Drive, the Gallery,
  83 your music player, or from your Android filesystem.
  84
  85 .. figure:: images/android-7.png
  86    :scale: 75%
  87    :alt: File upload dialogue.
  88
  89 All files (that you have permission to access) on your ownCloud server are
  90 displayed in your Android app, but are not downloaded until you click on them.
  91 Downloaded files are marked with a green arrow.
  92
  93 .. figure:: images/android-8.png
  94    :scale: 75%
  95    :alt: Downloaded files are marked with green arrows.
  96
  97 Download and view a file with a short press on the filename.  Then a short
  98 press on the overflow button opens a menu with 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 main Files page, a long press on any file or folder
 106 displays a list of options: Share, Open With, Synchronize, Rename, Move, Copy,
 107 Remove, Send, Favorite, and Details.
 108
 109 .. figure:: images/android-11.png
 110    :scale: 75%
 111    :alt: Folder and file management options.
 112
 113 Click Share to share files. You can share with other ownCloud users, and create
 114 public share links. If your ownCloud server administrator has enabled username
 115 auto-completion, when you start typing user or group names they will
 116 auto-complete. After you have shared files, click the Share button to see who
 117 you have shared with, and to remove shares.
 118
 119 .. figure:: images/android-12.png
 120    :scale: 75%
 121    :alt: Sharing files.
 122
 123 Settings
 124 --------
 125
 126 Use the Settings screen to control your ownCloud app functions.
 127
 128 .. figure:: images/android-10.png
 129    :scale: 75%
 130    :alt: Setting screen.
 131
 132 In the Accounts section you can set up and manage multiple accounts.
 133
 134 The Security section sets up strong two-factor authentication by allowing you
 135 to add a PIN (personal identification number) to access your account.
 136
 137 The Instant Uploads section creates a directory, :file:`/InstantUpload`, and any
 138 photos or videos created with your Android device's camera are instantly
 139 uploaded to this directory. You also have the option to choose any other
 140 existing directory, or to create a new one. Another nice option is Upload
 141 Pictures/Video via WiFi Only, to conserve your mobile data usage.
 142
 143 The bottom section of the Settings screen has links to Help, Recommend to a
 144 friend, Feedback, and the version number.