How to Install Nextcloud on TrueNAS

  • Post author:WunderTech
  • Post published:November 21, 2022
  • Post last modified:November 30, 2023
  • Post category:TrueNAS
  • Reading time:8 mins read

In this tutorial, we will look at how to install Nextcloud on TrueNAS.

Nextcloud is an extremely popular program, especially when using TrueNAS as there are no first-party applications that will function similarly to Nextcloud. There are many devices that you can install TrueNAS on, but if you’re storing all of your data on TrueNAS, this is most likely the best place to run Nextcloud. There are other devices that you can run Nextcloud on (like a Synology NAS), but if you’re running TrueNAS, there’s probably a pretty good chance that you don’t have a Synology NAS.

We will look at how to install Nextcloud on TrueNAS Scale and TrueNAS Core below. The process is extremely similar for both, but there are minor differences that we’ll cover.

How to Install Nextcloud on TrueNAS

We will look at how to install Nextcloud on TrueNAS Scale and TrueNAS Core below.

TrueNAS Scale

1. Select Apps, then select Install on the Nextcloud application.

how to install nextcloud on truenas - truenas scale install button.

2. Enter an Application Name, then select Next.

nextcloud application name.

3. There are a bunch of settings here that can be modified, but none of them other than the username and password are required. If you’d like to change the data directory or port, you can change them here as well – however, the default settings are fine for most. Select Next after you’ve modified the settings.

nextcloud user and password setup.

4. Select Enable Host Path for Nextcloud Data Volume, then select a path on your TrueNAS instance. This will be different for everyone, but I am selecting my home folder for this demo.

NOTE: You can also enable a path for the Postgres data or enable Postgres backups, but this step is not mandatory.

nextcloud mount location for data.

5. Select Enable cronjobs for Nextcloud, then select Next.

nextcloud cron job.

6. The rest of the settings can stay as default (though you might need to use them for advanced configurations). Confirm your settings, then select Save to create the application! The application will now install!

nextcloud confirmation before installing.

7. Select Installed Applications and after a few minutes, you’ll be able to select Web Portal next to Nextcloud to launch the webpage that you’ll access Nextcloud from.

nextcloud installed and selecting web portal.

8. Enter the Username and Password you configured above, then select Next.

nextcloud login page.

9. After running through a few quick slides explaining what Nextcloud is, Nextcloud will be set up and can be used!

nextcloud dashboard.

TrueNAS Core

1. Select Plugins, then Nextcloud.

how to install nextcloud on truenas core. install button.

2. Give the plugin a name, then select Save to install Nextcloud!

nextcloud install plugin name.

3. The application will take a few minutes to install. When it’s done, select the arrow all the way to the right to expand the application settings.

application installed in a jail.

5. Select Post Install Notes to get the Nextcloud Admin User and Nextcloud Admin Password.

post install notes for truenas core.

6. Navigate to the Admin Portal of Nextcloud (listed as one of the columns in the Plugins section), then sign in with the username and password from above.

nextcloud login page.

7. After a few slides explaining what Nextcloud is, you’ll be brought straight to the dashboard!

nextcloud dashboard.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

This tutorial looked at how to install Nextcloud on TrueNAS Scale and TrueNAS Core. The installation process is fairly different when comparing TrueNAS Scale to TrueNAS Core as TrueNAS Core installs the application in a Jail. When running Nextcloud in a Jail (TrueNAS Core), it’s drastically different than the way TrueNAS Scale handles the installation. The best thing to do is understand how Jails work, as that will give you the best understanding of how these installation processes differ.

Thanks for checking out the tutorial on how to install Nextcloud on TrueNAS Scale and TrueNAS Core. If you have any questions on how to install Nextcloud on TrueNAS Scale or TrueNAS Core, please leave them in the comments!

WunderTech

Frank is an IT professional with 13+ years experience and the creator of WunderTech. He focuses on sharing his experience with others on computer hardware, servers, software, networking, and self-hosted apps. He has a BS in Computer Information Systems and an MBA. Learn more about Frank in his bio.