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linux Desktop App 6.x selective sync not working for subfolders of already synchronized paths · Issue #12465 · owncloud/client · GitHub
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linux Desktop App 6.x selective sync not working for subfolders of already synchronized paths #12465

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Description

@floridop

Pre-submission Checks

  • I checked for similar issues, but could not find any. I also checked the closed issues. I could not contribute additional information to any existing issue.
  • I will take the time to fill in all the required fields. I know that the bug report may be dismissed otherwise due to lack of information.

Describe the bug

Using selective sync, folders and a files at a certain depth are
synchronized the first time the folder is choosen,
but adding a synchronization of a subfolder to an already synchronized
path does not work.
Nothing in logs in both client and server, and force sync does not trigger any action.

Expected behavior

Folders checked/unchecked in the client should be synchronized,
in particular subfolders of already synchronized folders that might
have been excluded earlier

Steps to reproduce the issue

  1. Create a folder sync based on the root of the server, but then exclude all folders but one with at least depth 3.

Example:

owncloud -> folderA -> folderA.1
  1. Let the app synchronize. Then :

  2. In the OwnCloud desktop client navigate to a synchronization, click the three dots, select “choose what to sync” and tick a folder inside folderA to be syncronized, click on “Ok”

example

owncloud -> folderA -> folderA.2
  1. Wait for the client to sync. Despite all being green, the folder folderA.2 is not synchronized.

  2. Click on "force synchronization" - nothing happens

  3. repeat step 1-6 with another folder B, never synchronized, first choose owncloud -> FolderB -> folderB.1 , let it synchronize and then later pick owncloud -> FolderB -> FolderB.2. FolderB.2 is not synchronized

In practice the first time a completely new path is chosen to be synchronized, synchronization occurs,
but adding a subfolder to an already synchronized path does not work.

Restarting the client doesn't help.

I did not try with other versions of the client but I am going to revert to
the latest 5.x and add findings to this issue.

I can reproduce all times.

Screenshots

No response

Logs

I do not attach the logs due to sensitive information, but nothing is logged
about the choice of a new subfolder folderA.2 or folderB.2 both in the client and on the server. The folders are checked properly in the graphical interface, so at least the GUI knows what to sync, but the synchronization layer does not do anything. I should look at the DB maybe.

I can create a test user with less sensitive information if more input in form of logs is required.

Client version number

Client version: 6.0.3.18040
OS language: English
Qt version 6.8.3
Openssl 3.4.3
Installation path of client: defaults

The about dialog says: using virtual files plugin: suffix
I did not enable virtual files support.

Desktop environment (Linux only)

Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome3, 6.17.0-14-generic #14~24.04.1-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Jan 15 15:52:10 UTC 2 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Client package version and origin (Linux only)

Installed from https://download.owncloud.com/desktop/ownCloud/stable/latest/linux/download/

Installation path (Windows only)

No response

Server information

Official Docker Image for community edition
ownCloud version: 10.16
Operating system: Alma Linux 9.x
Web server: Apache (official owncloud docker image)
Database: mariadb (official owncloud docker image)
PHP version: version in official owncloud docker image
Storage backend (external storage): none, using mounted local disk

Additional context

I experienced this behavior since version 6.x of the Desktop App. I did not try reverting to version 5.x yet.

All folders and subfolders added during the first installation/configuration continue to sync regularly so far. It's the code that handles changes what to synchronize ("Choose what to sync") that seems not to work.

The GUI remembers selected folders properly (i.e. database and configuration seems to be correct). The problem is in the app logic with selective syncronization somewhere else.

Activity

  1. ns473 commented on Feb 21, 2026

    @ns473

    I have similar issue with 6.0.3.18040 and I guess 6.0.x on Mac OS Sequoia 15.7.4.

    1. Choosed to sync only the directory "/picture/smartphone/2025"
    2. Sync => ok
    3. Later I choosed to sync also "/picture/smartphone/2026"
    4. Sync => ignored
    • I did not find any log about this in the UI.
    • I removed all configuration files to make the same choice and it did not work.
  2. floridop commented on Mar 12, 2026

    @floridop
    Author

    WORKAROUND:

    I confirm that reverting to client https://download.owncloud.com/desktop/ownCloud/stable/5.3.2.15463/linux/Ubuntu_24.04/ works as intended.

    Unfortunately it is not so easy to instruct users to revert to a previous version, due to the way Desktop clients are advertised in the official webpages. I would suggest the website maintainer to put a link to version 5 somewhere for those encountering these issues. This is the kind of problems that leads to a lot of conflicted files.

    Since I don't see anybody worried about this, I am guessing this is not a priority, I am very sorry to say this leaves me with no arguments against my organization's will to switch completely to NextCloud.

    Do not misunderstand me, I think the ownCloud community did a great job so far and I understand if the core business wants to prioritize paying customers.

  3. plop28 commented on Mar 23, 2026

    @plop28

    I think my issue is related to this one (v6.0.3), i can't re-sync a folder that has been already synced before and removed via selective sync.

    1. Sync a folder tree (Folder1/Subfolder1..Subfolder2)
    2. Use selective sync and uncheck Subfolder1 and Subfolder2

    they are well removed locally

    1. Use again selective sync and re-check Subfolder1 and Subfolder2

    Sync / Force Sync / restart client > nothing happens.

    It seems working by uncheck/re-check Folder1, it successful re-sync everything.

  4. nitefood commented on Apr 16, 2026

    @nitefood

    It seems working by uncheck/re-check Folder1, it successful re-sync everything.

    Thanks, that did the trick for me.
    Same bug on Windows client v6.0.3.18040.

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