PDF Reading in-app, not download and open local (android/ios)

[BloodyIron]

I really want to use the nextCloud app on Android to read PDFs and have that app do the PDF rendering. Namely so that my progress in PDF files (and other docs, like epub, or whatever) are kept server-side, instead of on my Android device.

Considering the web interface already does PDF rendering instead of downloading and opening local, I think this would be an extension of an already reasonable expectation, that PDF rendering is done in the client (web, and in this case android/ios).

Any chance we can get this to be a thing? Please? :)

I'm sure iOS users would appreciate the same thing too (I don't have any iOS devices).

[tobiasKaminsky]

Hm, I do not fully understand the benefit of having a PDF view internal in the app. You always have to download the PDF entirely (as right now).

[BloodyIron]

I don't know how to better explain my angle here. I switch between devices regularly for reading content and I want my position in that document to be server-side. Instead of having to re-remember where I left off from one device to the next. :/

[tobiasKaminsky]

Ah, now I get what you want. Unfortunately this is not something we have, or which the server supports. Also it is in my opinion out of scope.

@AndyScherzinger

[BloodyIron]

How is it out of scope? This is a feature request for a new feature, of course it's not something it can't do today...

[maxolasersquad]

The primary purpose of the NC app is file sync, not a thick-client replacement for the web interface. Which is why this feature is beyond the scope of the app

What you want might be achievable on the web interface with the ebook reader extension.

https://apps.nextcloud.com/apps/files_ebookreader

[BloodyIron]

The web interface already can do it, but I don't see how PDF reading is an unacceptable feature to add. It's not going to make the application bloated and unwieldy, it will improve the UX in multiple regards, primarily that your progress in documents is consistently tracked from one User Interface to the next (phone to desktop).

nextCloud as a virtual library is an awesome tool, and not having position tracking that is consistent breaks that.

[loegstrup]

I agree that having an in-app PDF reader could (1) enhance the user experience as BloodyIron mentions and (2) fix security concerns caused by the PDF-files having to be stored on the local device.

To illustrate how the app could currently leave a false sense of security:

• Go to settings
• Choose an app password
• Close NextCloud
• Only way you believe that PDF-files can be accessed is by opening NextCloud and typing in your password
• This is wrong, since all opened PDF-files can be accessed by going to 'Files' and (1) accessing them in the NextCloud directory or (2) in some cases, simply looking in the latest accessed files

Of course being in a situation where someone else can access your 'Files' seems like bad practice to begin with, but that is not the point. The point is that by relying solely on Android to handle file preview, you also rely on the operating system to do a proper job of respecting the apps privacy settings, which could potentially lead to someone breaching data without even knowing it (it is not everyone who understands the green checkmark indicating that the file has now been put in the local storage).

[tobiasKaminsky]

If we implement PDF viewer, then still the file will be needed to download (and stored) If you want to not expose your synced files, then please change storage location to /data/user/0/com.nextcloud.client/files and then only this app can access the files

[BloodyIron]

While clearly the app needs some form of cached or local copy of the PDF, would not it be possible to have the app keep this in a secured enclave unless "allowed" for the user to download locally? This could be used as a way for data exfiltration otherwise, and that is a problem in IT.

[msviba]

I would like to migrate from Dropbox. There is feature of internal pdf viewer. For example: Received email has attached pdf file. I will open file and chose Nextcloud app as viewer. Pdf will be open in nextcloud app with context menu where is ability to chose folder and upload to NC

This is one click solution how to sync pdf from email. Dropbox has it and it's cool.

[BloodyIron]

Yeah this behaviour (download and not read in the android nextCloud app) still exists. Do these feature requests EVER get read? It's been almost 4 years now! >:|

[msviba]

Yeah this behaviour (download and not read in the android nextCloud app) still exists. Do these feature requests EVER get read? It's been almost 4 years now! >:|

No, it doesn't exist. Please try it with some attached pdf file in gmail app. I have android 10 (Huawei) and it's not possible to save it into Nextcloud.

[BloodyIron]

Ahem, I meant to say... still does not exist XD that's an accidental typo on my end, whoops!

[Deft-54]

I just want to say I love the idea of reading my pdf without downloading them... (like the way it does with office files) And I keep searching every month if I would be added. I hope it would soon 🤞