WebDAV file sync successfully set up... but nothing happens

JokaMati
Hi all,
I just started using Zotero, which I want to use with a library stored on some online storage; I usually sync with NextCloud and have the files available on my computer.
I logged in with my Zotero account, added my NextCloud credentials and I am told that file syn is successfully set up. However, nothing happens, even after manually syncing. I placed a few files in the newly-created "zotero" folder in my online space, but these files are not synced.
Am I missing something?
Thanks!
Joka
  • dstillman
    edited November 18, 2022
    This sounds like a misunderstanding of how Zotero's WebDAV file syncing works. It's not something you interact with on the server — you can't drag files into that folder and have them show up in Zotero. Zotero just uses the WebDAV server space instead of Zotero servers when it syncs.

    If you want to add files to Zotero, you need to add them to Zotero.
  • JokaMati
    Oooooh, that makes sense. So, if I get that right, in order to have all my library files in Zotero, instead of just keeping them on the server and hoping they get synced, I have to place them in Zotero myself and Zotero will then sync them onto my online space, correct?
  • dstillman
    Well, it's what I say — Zotero will use the WebDAV space for syncing your files between devices. But you can't access the files directly on your server — they're not stored in a human-readable format. If you want to access the files online, you have to either use Zotero Storage and access the files via the web library or use linked files instead of stored files and sync them yourself.
  • JokaMati
    Linked files did it for me, thanks. What about on iOS, then? I have not finding a way to connect to WebDAV in the settings :S
  • dstillman
    edited November 18, 2022
    You can use WebDAV file syncing in the iOS app, but not linked files. From the page I linked to:
    Linked files are also not supported in the Zotero iOS app.
  • JokaMati
    I see. So that would mean setting up the webdav connection via the Files app of iOS and then importing the files from there manually?
  • dstillman
    No?

    If you want to use the iOS app, you need to use stored files and Zotero file syncing, either with Zotero Storage or WebDAV. If you want to access your files online, you need to use Zotero Storage and access them from the Zotero web library on this site.

    Where you add the files from doesn't make a difference. The point is that they're stored files that Zotero syncs itself.
  • JokaMati
    Ok, I think I'm getting it, but I get back to the issues of my message 30 minutes ago. I do not find, in the iOS app, the way to sync with WebDAV. You say it's possible and I trust you, but I'm not seeing it.
  • dstillman
    For "Sync attachment files in My Library using", choose "WebDAV" instead of "Zotero".
  • JokaMati
    Aaaah. Great point. But indeed, since I used linked files, I can't read them on the iOS app. So, my only way is to actually import the files via Zotero to the zotero folder of the online space. On the one hand, I won't be able to just copy-paste files like I do now, but I can always export them out in PDF from Zotero, right?
  • JokaMati
    Got all that to work. Thanks for a great app and awesomely fast support!
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