---
title: Integrate with Nextcloud
sidebar_label: Nextcloud
support_level: community
---

## What is Nextcloud

> Nextcloud is a suite of client-server software for creating and using file hosting services. Nextcloud is free and open-source, which means that anyone is allowed to install and operate it on their own private server devices.
>
> -- https://nextcloud.com/

:::warning
If you require [server side encryption](https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/configuration_files/encryption_configuration.html), you must use LDAP. OpenID and SAML will cause **irrevocable data loss**. Nextcloud server side encryption requires access to the user's cleartext password, which Nextcloud has access to only when using LDAP because the user enters their password directly into Nextcloud.
:::

:::caution
This setup only works when Nextcloud is running with HTTPS enabled. See [here](https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/stable/admin_manual/configuration_server/reverse_proxy_configuration.html?highlight=overwriteprotocol#overwrite-parameters) on how to configure this.
:::

:::info
If there’s an issue with the configuration, you can log in using the built-in authentication by visiting http://nextcloud.company/login?direct=1.
:::

## Configuration methods

It is possible to configure Nextcloud to use OIDC, SAML, or LDAP for authentication. Below are the steps to configure each method.

import TabItem from "@theme/TabItem";
import Tabs from "@theme/Tabs";

<Tabs
  defaultValue="oidc"
  values={[
    { label: "OIDC", value: "oidc" },
    { label: "SAML", value: "saml" },
    { label: "LDAP", value: "ldap" }
  ]}
>
  <TabItem value="oidc">

## Preparation

The following placeholders are used in this guide:

- `nextcloud.company` is the FQDN of the Nextcloud installation.
- `authentik.company` is the FQDN of the authentik installation.

:::note
This documentation lists only the settings that you need to change from their default values. Be aware that any changes other than those explicitly mentioned in this guide could cause issues accessing your application.
:::

:::warning
If you require [server side encryption](https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/configuration_files/encryption_configuration.html), you must use LDAP. OpenID and SAML will cause **irrevocable data loss**.
:::

Let's start by considering which user attributes need to be available in Nextcloud:

- name
- email
- unique user ID
- storage quota (optional)
- groups (optional)

authentik already provides some default _scopes_ with _claims_, such as:

- `email` scope: includes `email` and `email_verified`
- `profile` scope: includes `name`, `given_name`, `preferred_username`, `nickname`, `groups`
- `openid` scope: a default required by the OpenID spec (contains no claims)

## Create property mapping _(optional)_

If you do not need storage quota, group information, or to manage already existing users in Nextcloud, skip to the [next section](#create-an-application-and-provider-in-authentik).

If you want to control user storage and designate Nextcloud administrators, you will need to create a property mapping.

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Customization** > **Property mappings** and click **Create**.

    - **Select type**: select **Scope mapping**.
    - **Create Scope Mapping**:

        - **Name**: `Nextcloud Profile`
        - **Scope name**: `profile`
        - **Expression**:

            ```python
            # Extract all groups the user is a member of
            groups = [group.name for group in user.ak_groups.all()]

            # In Nextcloud, administrators must be members of a fixed group called "admin".

            # If a user is an admin in authentik, ensure that "admin" is appended to their group list.
            if user.is_superuser and "admin" not in groups:
                groups.append("admin")

            return {
                "name": request.user.name,
                "groups": groups,
                # Set a quota by using the "nextcloud_quota" property in the user's attributes
                "quota": user.group_attributes().get("nextcloud_quota", None),
                # To connect an existing Nextcloud user, set "nextcloud_user_id" to the Nextcloud username.
                "user_id": user.attributes.get("nextcloud_user_id", str(user.uuid)),
            }
            ```

3. Click **Finish**.

:::note
To set a quota, define the `nextcloud_quota` attribute for individual users or groups. For example, setting it to `1 GB` will restrict the user to 1GB of storage. If not set, storage is unlimited.
:::

:::note
To connect to an existing Nextcloud user, set the `nextcloud_user_id` attribute to match the Nextcloud username (found under the user's `Display name` in Nextcloud).
:::

## Create an application and provider in authentik

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Applications** > **Applications** and click **Create with Provider** to create an application and provider pair. (Alternatively you can first create a provider separately, then create the application and connect it with the provider.)

    - **Application**: provide a descriptive name, an optional group for the type of application, the policy engine mode, and optional UI settings.
    - **Choose a Provider type**: select **OAuth2/OpenID Connect** as the provider type.
    - **Configure the Provider**: provide a name (or accept the auto-provided name), the authorization flow to use for this provider, and the following required configurations.
        - Note the **Client ID** and **slug** values because they will be required later.
        - Set a `Strict` redirect URI to `https://nextcloud.company/apps/user_oidc/code`.
        - Select any available signing key.
        - Under **Advanced Protocol Settings**:
            - _(optional)_ If you created the `Nextcloud Profile` scope mapping, add it to **Selected Scopes**.
            - **Subject Mode**: `Based on the User's UUID`
    - **Configure Bindings** _(optional)_: you can create a [binding](/docs/add-secure-apps/flows-stages/bindings/) (policy, group, or user) to manage the listing and access to applications on a user's **My applications** page.

3. Click **Submit** to save the new application and provider.

:::note
Depending on your Nextcloud configuration, you may need to use `https://nextcloud.company/index.php/` instead of `https://nextcloud.company/`.
:::

## Nextcloud configuration

1. In Nextcloud, ensure that the **OpenID Connect user backend** app is installed.
2. Log in to Nextcloud as an administrator and navigate to **Settings** > **OpenID Connect**.
3. Click the **+** button and enter the following settings:

    - **Identifier**: `authentik`
    - **Client ID**: Client ID from authentik
    - **Client secret**: Client secret from authentik
    - **Discovery endpoint**: `https://authentik.company/application/o/<application-slug>/.well-known/openid-configuration`
    - **Scope**: `email profile openid`
    - Under **Attribute mappings**:

        - **User ID mapping**: `sub` (or `user_id` for existing users)
        - **Display name mapping**: `name`
        - **Email mapping**: `email`
        - **Quota mapping**: `quota` (leave blank if the `Nextcloud Profile` property mapping was skipped)
        - **Groups mapping**: `groups` (leave blank if the `Nextcloud Profile` property mapping was skipped)

            :::tip
            Enable **Use group provisioning** to allow writing to this field.
            :::

    - **Use unique user ID**: If this option is disabled, Nextcloud will use the mapped user ID as the Federated Cloud ID.

    :::tip
    To avoid a hashed Federated Cloud ID, deselect **Use unique user ID** and use `user_id` for the User ID mapping.
    :::

    :::danger
    If you're using the `Nextcloud Profile` property mapping and want administrators to retain their ability to log in, make sure that **Use unique user ID** is disabled. If this setting is enabled, it will remove administrator users from the internal admin group and replace them with a hashed group ID named "admin," which does not have real administrative privileges.
    :::

## Making OIDC the default login method

Automatically redirect users to authentik when they access Nextcloud by running the following command on your Nextcloud docker host:

    ```bash
    sudo docker exec --user www-data -it nextcloud-aio-nextcloud php occ config:app:set --value=0 user_oidc allow_multiple_user_backends
    ```

## Configuration verification

To confirm that authentik is correctly configured with Nextcloud, log out and then log back in by clicking **OpenID Connect**. You'll then be redirected to authentik to log in, and once authentication is successful, you'll reach the Nextcloud dashboard.

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="saml">

## Preparation

The following placeholders are used in this guide:

    - `nextcloud.company` is the FQDN of the Nextcloud installation.
    - `authentik.company` is the FQDN of the authentik installation.

:::note
This documentation lists only the settings that you need to change from their default values. Be aware that any changes other than those explicitly mentioned in this guide could cause issues accessing your application.
:::

:::warning
If you require [server side encryption](https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/configuration_files/encryption_configuration.html), you must use LDAP. OpenID and SAML will cause **irrevocable data loss**.
:::

## Create an application and provider in authentik

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Applications** > **Applications** and click **Create with Provider** to create an application and provider pair. (Alternatively you can first create a provider separately, then create the application and connect it with the provider.)

    - **Application**: provide a descriptive name, an optional group for the type of application, the policy engine mode, and optional UI settings.
        - Note the application slug because it will be required later.
    - **Choose a Provider type**: select **SAML Provider** as the provider type.
    - **Configure the Provider**: provide a name (or accept the auto-provided name), the authorization flow to use for this provider, and the following required configurations.
        - Set the **ACS URL** to `https://nextcloud.company/apps/user_saml/saml/acs`.
        - Set the **Issuer** to `https://authentik.company`.
        - Set the **Audience** to `https://nextcloud.company/apps/user_saml/saml/metadata`.
        - Set the **Service Provider Binding** to `Post`.
        - Under **Advanced protocol settings**, set an available signing certificate.
    - **Configure Bindings** _(optional)_: you can create a [binding](/docs/add-secure-apps/flows-stages/bindings/) (policy, group, or user) to manage the listing and access to applications on a user's **My applications** page.

3. Click **Submit** to save the new application and provider.

:::note
Depending on your Nextcloud configuration, you might need to use `https://nextcloud.company/index.php/` instead of `https://nextcloud.company/`.
:::

## Download the signing certificate

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Applications** > **Providers** and click on the name of the newly created Nextcloud provider.
3. Under **Download signing certificate** click **Download**. The contents of this certificate will be required in the next section.

## Configure group quotas _(optional)_

To configure group quotas you will need to create groups in authentik for each quota, and a property mapping.

### Create group/s in authentik _(optional)_

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Directory** > **Groups** and click **Create**.
3. Set a name for the group (e.g. `nextlcloud-15GB`), assign a custom attribute (e.g., `nextcloud_quota`), and click **Create**.
4. Click the name of the newly created group and navigate to the **Users** tab.
5. Click **Add existing user**, select the users that require this storage quota and click **Add**.

### Create property mapping in authentik _(optional)_

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Customization** > **Property mappings** and click **Create**.

    - **Select type**: select **SAML Provider Property Mapping** as the property mapping type.
    - **Create SAML Provider Property Mapping**:

        - **Name**: Provide a name for the property mapping.
        - **SAML Attribute Name**: `nextcloud_quota`
        - **Expression**:

            ```python
            return user.group_attributes().get("nextcloud_quota", "1 GB")
            ```

            :::note
            Where `"1 GB"` is the default if a quota is not set.
            :::

3. Click **Finish** to save the property mapping.

### Configure quota attribute in Nextcloud _(optional)_

1. Log in to Nextcloud as an administrator.
2. Navigate to **Settings** > **SSO & SAML Authentication**.
3. Set **Attribute to map the quota to** to `nextcloud_quota`.

## Configure admin group _(optional)_

To grant Nextcloud admin access to authentik users you will need to create a property mapping.

### Create property mapping in authentik _(optional)_

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Customization** > **Property mappings** and click **Create**.

    - **Select type**: select **SAML Provider Property Mapping** as the property mapping type.
    - **Create SAML Provider Property Mapping**:

        - **Name**: Provide a name for the property mapping.
        - **SAML Attribute Name**: `http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/claims/Group`
        - **Expression**:

            ```python
            for group in request.user.all_groups():
                yield group.name
            if ak_is_group_member(request.user, name="<authentik nextcloud admin group's name>"):
                yield "admin"
            ```

### Configure group attribute in Nextcloud _(optional)_

1. Log in to Nextcloud as an administrator.
2. Navigate to **Settings** > **SSO & SAML Authentication**.
3. Set the groups mapping to `http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/claims/Group`.

## Nextcloud configuration

1. In Nextcloud, ensure that the **SSO & SAML Authentication** app is installed.
2. Log in to Nextcloud as an administrator, navigate to **Settings** > **SSO & SAML Authentication**, and configure the following settings:

    - **Attribute to map the UID to**: `http://schemas.goauthentik.io/2021/02/saml/uid`

    :::danger
    Using the UID attribute as username is **not recommended** because of its mutable nature. If you map to the username instead, [disable username changing](https://docs.goauthentik.io/docs/sys-mgmt/settings#allow-users-to-change-username) and set the UID attribute to `http://schemas.goauthentik.io/2021/02/saml/username`.
    :::

    - **Optional display name**: `authentik`
    - **Identifier of the IdP entity**: `https://authentik.company`
    - **URL target for authentication requests**: `https://authentik.company/application/saml/<application-slug>/sso/binding/redirect/`
    - **URL for SLO requests**: `https://authentik.company/application/saml/<application-slug>/slo/binding/redirect/`
    - **Public X.509 certificate of the IdP**: Paste the contents of your certificate file.
    - **Set attribute mappings**:
        - **Display name**: `http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/ws/2005/05/identity/claims/name`
        - **Email**: `http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/ws/2005/05/identity/claims/emailaddress`
        - **User groups**: `http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/claims/Group`

:::note
If Nextcloud is behind a reverse proxy, force HTTPS by adding `'overwriteprotocol' => 'https'` to the Nextcloud `config/config.php` file. See [this guide](https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/configuration_server/reverse_proxy_configuration.html#overwrite-parameters) for more details.
:::

## Configuration verification

To confirm that authentik is properly configured with Nextcloud, log out and log back in using the **SSO and SAML log in** option. You will be redirected to authentik to log in; if successful you will then be redirected to the Nextcloud dashboard.

  </TabItem>
  <TabItem value="ldap">

## Preparation

The following placeholders are used in this guide:

- `nextcloud.company` is the FQDN of the Nextcloud installation.
- `authentik.company` is the FQDN of the authentik installation.

:::note
This documentation lists only the settings that you need to change from their default values. Be aware that any changes other than those explicitly mentioned in this guide could cause issues accessing your application.
:::

## Create an application and provider in authentik

1. Log in to authentik as an administrator and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Applications** > **Applications** and click **Create with Provider** to create an application and provider pair. (Alternatively you can first create a provider separately, then create the application and connect it with the provider.)

    - **Application**: provide a descriptive name, an optional group for the type of application, the policy engine mode, and optional UI settings.
    - **Choose a Provider type**: select **LDAP** as the provider type.
    - **Configure the Provider**: provide a name (or accept the auto-provided name) and the bind flow to use for this provider
    - **Configure Bindings** _(optional)_: you can create a [binding](/docs/add-secure-apps/flows-stages/bindings/) (policy, group, or user) to manage the listing and access to applications on a user's **My applications** page.

3. Click **Submit** to save the new application and provider.

## Create an LDAP outpost

1. Log in to authentik as an admin, and open the authentik Admin interface.
2. Navigate to **Applications** > **Outposts** and click **Create**.

    - **Name**: provide a suitable name for the outpost.
    - **Type**: `LDAP`
    - Under applications, add the newly created Nextcloud application to **Selected Applications**.

3. Click **Create**.

## Nextcloud configuration

1. In Nextcloud, ensure that the **LDAP user and group backend** app is installed.
2. Log in to Nextcloud as an administrator.
3. Navigate to **Settings** > **LDAP user and group backend** and configure the following settings:

    - On the **Server** tab:

        - Click the **+** icon and enter the following settings:
            - **Host**: enter the hostname/IP address of the authentik LDAP outpost preceded by `ldap://` or `ldaps://`. If using LDAPS you will also need to specify the certificate that is being used.
            - **Port**: `389` or `636` for secure LDAP.
            - Under **Credentials**, enter the **Bind DN** of the authentik LDAP provider and the associated user password.
            - Under **Base DN**, enter the **Search base** of the authentik LDAP provider.

    - On the **Users** tab:

        - Set **Only these object classes** to `Users`.

    - On the **LDAP/AD integration** tab:

        - Uncheck **LDAP/AD Username**.
        - Set **Other Attributes** to `cn`.
        - Click **Expert** in the top right corner and enter these settings:
            - **Internal Username Attribute**: `uid`
            - **UUID Attribute for Users**: `uid`
            - **UUID Attribute for Groups**: `gidNumber`
        - Click **Advanced** in the top right corner and enter these settings:
            - Under **Connection Settings**:
                - **Configuration Active**: checked
            - Under **Directory Settings**:
                - **User Display Name Field**: `name`
                - **Base User Tree**: enter the **Search base** of the authentik LDAP provider.
                - **Group Display Name Field**: `cn`
                - **Base Group Tree**: enter the **Search base** of the authentik LDAP provider.
                - **Group-Member Association**: `gidNumber`
            - Under **Special Attributes**:
                - **Email Field**: `mailPrimaryAddress`

    - On the **Groups** tab:

        - Set **Only these object classes** to `groups`.
        - Select the authentik groups that require Nextcloud access.

    :::note
    If Nextcloud is behind a reverse proxy, force HTTPS by adding `'overwriteprotocol' => 'https'` to the Nextcloud `config/config.php` file. See [the Nextcloud admin manual](https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/configuration_server/reverse_proxy_configuration.html#overwrite-parameters) for more details.
    :::

## Configuration verification

To confirm that authentik is properly configured with Nextcloud, log out and log back in using LDAP credentials. If successful you will then be redirected to the Nextcloud dashboard.

  </TabItem>
</Tabs>

## Resources

- [Nextcloud docs - User authentication with LDAP](https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/configuration_user/user_auth_ldap.html)
- [Nextcloud OIDC App - User Documentation](https://github.com/H2CK/oidc/wiki/User-Documentation)
