Unable to open linked files on Android with WebDAV File Syncing

PedroMontanari · September 18, 2026

I store all my Zotero attachments on Nextcloud.

I tried to setup sync in the Zotero app for Android (Settings -> File Syncing -> Sync attachments files in My Library using WebDAV).

I enter the WebDAV url, username and password and get a "Verified" status after clicking on "Verify Server".

However, when I go to my library and try to open any item with linked files, it redirects to the item URL. If I go to the item info, then to "Attachments" and click for example in the PDF icon, nothing happens.

adamsmith · September 18, 2026

That's a misunderstanding --- WebDAV is specifically so you can use 3rd party storage for stored files. Linked files aren't supported in the mobile apps.

PedroMontanari · September 18, 2026

Hello Adam, thanks for the reply, I see. Although this would be a nice feature to have I can imagine it's impractical to implement on mobile

PedroMontanari · September 21, 2026

Follow up on this issue: is there any way I could convert my linked files to stored files (but in my WebDAV storage)?

tim820 · September 21, 2026

Tools\Manage Attachments\Convert Linked Files to Stored Files

Once back as stored files in your personal library (under Zotero\storage), the files become available for syncing via WebDAV.
https://www.zotero.org/support/sync#webdav

PedroMontanari · September 21, 2026

Perfect, was able to do it. Thanks a lot!