NextCloud Part 2 Worksheet

Jun 15

De-Google, De-Microsoft & Sync Everything

Your printable companion for stocking NextCloud with apps and connecting your Android, iOS, and Windows devices. Print it, fill in the blanks, and check things off as you go.

This worksheet is mostly here to help you load your client devices. The apps in Part 2 install with a click from the NextCloud app store, so there isn't much to type — but there are a handful of addresses and credentials worth writing down once, so you're not hunting for them on every device.

Your connection details

Write these down once. You'll reuse them on every client device below. Use your Tailscale address so it works at home and away.

REFERENCE SECTION

Tailscale IP / FQDN of your NextCloud server (e.g. 100.x.x.x or your-pi.tail-scale.ts.net) __________________________________

NextCloud web port (8080 from Part 1 unless you changed it): __________

Full server address (scheme + address + port): ____________________

DAV endpoint (server address + /remote.php/dav): ____________________

NextCloud username: ____________________

NextCloud password (or app password — keep this private): ____________________

Apps to install

All from the NextCloud app store: grid icon, top right > Apps. Everything below is free. Check each one off as you add it.

Nextcloud Office — replaces Microsoft 365 / Google DocsAlso install the Collabora Online — Built-in CODE Server app. On a Raspberry Pi, grab the ARM64 build. x86 + want more speed? See the optional Docker container in Section 2.
Notes — replaces OneNote / Apple Notes / Google Keep
Passwords (by Johannes Riedl) — replaces LastPass / BitwardenNeeds HTTPS to work. Local/Tailscale access is already encrypted but isn't "secure http" — comment on the video if you want the 5-minute Tailscale cert walkthrough.
Deck — replaces Trello / ClickUp / Monday / Taiga
Tasks — replaces Google Tasks / Todoist (CalDAV-based)
Shoppinglist — shared grocery list (community apps section)
Collectives — replaces Notion / Confluence (wiki / knowledge base)
Cookbook — recipe manager, imports from URLs
External Sites — turn NextCloud into a homelab dashboard
OCCweb — run occ admin commands from the browser
Diagrams (Draw.io integration) — replaces Lucidchart / Visio

Not every app in the store is free, and a few of them are just front-ends for cloud services — which defeats the whole point of self-hosting. Read what an app actually does before you install it.

Optional — Collabora as a dedicated container (x86)

Only if you're on x86 hardware and want better Office performance than the Built-in CODE Server gives you. Pi users: skip this and use the ARM64 Built-in CODE Server app instead.

Add this service to the docker-compose.yml from Part 1, then point Nextcloud Office at it (Settings > Nextcloud Office > "Use your own server").

  
    # add to your existing docker-compose.yml services:
  collabora:
    image: collabora/code:latest
    container_name: collabora
    restart: unless-stopped
    cap_add:
      - MKNOD
    environment:
      # your NextCloud domain, dots escaped with \\
      - aliasgroup1=https://your-nextcloud-address:8080
      - "extra_params=--o:ssl.enable=false --o:ssl.termination=true"
      - username=admin
      - password=changeme
    ports:
      - "9980:9980"
  

The aliasgroup1 value must match how you reach NextCloud, and the dots in the address need escaping (e.g. 100\.10\.10\.10). In Nextcloud Office settings, set the server URL to http://<host>:9980. If Office shows a blank/grey editor, this address mismatch is almost always why.

My Collabora server URL (if you ran the container): ________________________

Android setup

Install the NextCloud app
Play Store > search Nextcloud > install the official app by Nextcloud GmbH. This is your file sync + photo backup client and your gateway to Notes, Deck, Talk, and the rest.
Connect to your server
Open the app > Log in > enter your full server address (from the Reference section) > enter your NextCloud credentials.
Turn on auto photo upload
Settings > Auto Upload > Enable > pick your target folder on NextCloud. Every photo and video uploads automatically from here on. WiFi-only by default. This is your Google Photos replacement pipeline.
Flag folders for offline access
Mark any folder Available Offline to keep a synced local copy. Edits sync both directions.
Contacts & Calendar - DAVx⁵
The NextCloud app does not sync contacts/calendar on its own. Install DAVx⁵ - paid on the Play Store, free on F-Droid. New account > Login with URL and user name > use your DAV endpoint > enter credentials > choose which calendars/contact books to sync.
Tasks - Tasks.org
Install Tasks.org — the Play Store version's sync needs a paid subscription; the F-Droid build is free. Add a CalDAV account pointing at your NextCloud; it discovers your Tasks lists and syncs both directions.

Confirm - Android

NextCloud app logged in
Auto photo upload enabled + folder chosen
DAVx⁵ syncing contacts & calendar
Tasks.org syncing tasks

iOS setup (iPhone / iPad)

Install the NextCloud app
App Store > search Nextcloud → official app by Nextcloud GmbH.
Connect to your server
Open > Log in> enter your full server address and credentials.
Turn on auto photo upload
Settings inside the NextCloud app > Auto Upload > Enable > pick your upload folder. Your Camera Roll now backs up to your server — your exit from paying for extra iCloud storage.
Files app integration
NextCloud shows up as a location in the iOS Files app. Anything dropped there appears across your devices. Note: iOS background sync is more limited than Android — it syncs on background refresh and when you open the app.
Contacts & Calendar - native, no extra app
Settings > Calendar > Accounts > Add Account > Other > Add CalDAV Account. Server = your Tailscale address, plus your credentials. Repeat with Add CardDAV Account for contacts.
Tasks - native Reminders
iOS Reminders speaks CalDAV. The CalDAV account you just added surfaces your NextCloud Tasks lists right inside Reminders. Nothing else to install.

Confirm - iOS

NextCloud app logged in
Auto photo upload enabled + folder chosen
CalDAV account added (calendar + tasks)
CardDAV account added (contacts)

Windows setup

Install the desktop client
Download from nextcloud.com/install > install > it lives in the system tray.
Connect to your server
Open > Log in > enter your server address > confirm in the browser window that opens.
Pick a sync mode
Virtual Drive (recommended): files show in Explorer, stream on demand, pin folders for offline. Full sync: a folder is always local + on the server. Selective sync: choose which top-level folders land on this machine.
Use Explorer integration
Right-click any synced file to share it, copy a link, or view version history — same as OneDrive's Explorer integration. Offline edits on two devices create conflict copies so nothing is lost.
Contacts & Calendar
Windows has no native CalDAV/CardDAV. Best option: Thunderbird (free) — CalDAV via its built-in calendar, CardDAV via the CardBook add-on. Outlook users can add a CalDAV sync plugin (classic Outlook only; quality varies). For occasional lookups, the NextCloud web UI is fine.

Confirm - Windows

Desktop client logged in
Sync mode chosen (virtual / full / selective)
Contacts & calendar client set up (if wanted)

Before you migrate to the Passwords app

Read this before moving your vault.

Your NextCloud account password is not your vault's encryption key. The Passwords app adds its own security layer on top of NextCloud login — set and record that separately, and don't lose it. Also remember the app needs HTTPS; if you're on plain Tailscale/local access, hold off until you've set up a cert (comment on the video for that walkthrough).

Passwords app encryption password set & recorded somewhere safe?

If you have any questions, enter them as comments back on the video (please)

Dad, the Engineer