iOS "Files" app integration problem

Seafile Client
1

Hi, I’m testing Seafile on the cloud, with possibility an On-Premise install later this year.

Until now everything looks pretty good, except the integration of Seafile in the iOS “Files” app, which simply doesn’t work. My account appears in the app, but when I try to open it, my iPhone keeps on trying to load the content, with no success.

When I first opened the folder I could read some sort of “plugin” would be installed. I said yes.

Does this work for you?

Thanks!

Philippe

2

How to you integration of Seafile in the iOS “Files” app? Have you installed the Seafile iOS app or do you use WebDAV interface?

3

The problem is likely to be related to facial recognition in the app settings. Have you turned it on?

4

I had the same issue. I was able to fix it by turning off Face ID in SeafilePro settings, then going to iOS Settings → Apps → SeafilePro and turning off Face ID there too. After that I closed both apps (Seafile and Files), opened Seafile, then Files, and I was finally able to load and browse my library in Files.

5

Is this a bug that will be fixed or is it not possible to use Face ID and use the Files app integration?

6

is this a feature that exists? I’ve never seen any files in the native iOS “Files” app related to Seafile and the downloaded files.

Would be extremely useful is downloaded files a simply browsable through the native iOS “files” app

7

The feature exists. If it cannot work in your environment, you can try update the Seafile app to the latest version.

8

I have the latest everything but like I said I don’t think I’ve see this working in forever. I’ve already tried now to uninstall and reinstall the app no success. The Face ID on and off no success.

Nothing that is downloaded in the seafile app is showing in the Files app. (iOS iPhone btw)

9

Hi mhagen,

You actually don’t need to download anything in the Seafile app for the Files app integration to work. The Seafile iOS app provides a File Provider extension, which means you can browse your libraries and files directly from the native Files app.

To check:

  1. Open the Files app → tap Browse.

  2. Under Locations, make sure Seafile is enabled. (If not visible, tap the “⋯” button → Edit, and enable Seafile.)

  3. Tap Seafile under Locations, select your account, and you should see all your libraries and files listed there.

So even without downloading files inside the Seafile app, you can view and access them directly through the Files app.

Hope that helps you use the feature more effectively.

1 Like
11

Thank you, I’ve never known this and it works flawlessly.

1 Like
12

Hm, I see this working but with 2 caveats:

  1. Only non-encrypted libraries are made available in the Files app.
  2. The non-encrypted libraries are marked as “read-only”

Are these known limitations, or is there something perhaps wrong with my setup? Tested with latest Seafile Pro app version 3.0.9, on iOS 18.7.

13

Thanks for reporting. Here’s what I found:
1. Encrypted libraries not showing in Files app

This is a known limitation of iOS FileProvider. The Files app extension cannot display a password input dialog to unlock encrypted libraries.

2. Libraries marked as read-only

I’m able to correctly show the status of non-encrypted libraries on my side.

Could you first check the permission in Seafile Web or App interface? If the library shows “rw” (read-write) on the server but still appears read-only in Files app, please let us know:

  • Your Seafile server version

  • Is this your own library or a shared/group library?