nc-backup 2.0 · Ubuntu 26.04 LTS · AGPL-3.0

Nextcloud Backup

Current: version 2.1.1 for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute) – also runs on Ubuntu 24.04. Free backup software for Nextcloud on Raspberry Pi (ARM) and Intel/AMD. Incremental restic backups (database dump, config.php and data directory), web UI and GTK4 desktop GUI, systemd timer and restore in the web UI. Optional Nextcloud app to start a backup.

Download .deb (2.1.1) GitHub Source 2.1 (.tar.gz) Setup guide Install Nextcloud app Donate via PayPal

Why 2.0?

On Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (Resolute) the package policykit-1 no longer exists (no installation candidate). The GUI needs Polkit for root actions, so 2.0 depends on polkitd and pkexec. Both packages exist on Ubuntu 24.04 as well, so 2.0 runs there too.

2.1.1 fixes the Nextcloud app failing to start a backup with 400 JSON object expected (empty body as []). App 1.3.3 sends {}.

2.0.1 fixes a desktop GUI crash on Ubuntu 26.04 (Gio.ApplicationFlags.DEFAULT is gone in newer GLib/PyGObject).

2.0.2 reads the Nextcloud database socket correctly (localhost:/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock); otherwise mysqldump fails.

Version 1.8.3 remains available for download below. Version 1.8.3 runs only on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, not on Ubuntu 26.04.

Free & open source

Fully free under GNU AGPL 3.0 (or later) – the same license family as Nextcloud. Optional donations welcome – no license key required.

Donate via PayPal

Highlights

Web UI as systemd service nc-backup-web (Python standard library, no Flask/Werkzeug) – port 42173, bind 0.0.0.0
Desktop GUI with GTK4/Libadwaita – same light sidebar layout as the web UI
Incremental restic backups: SQL dump, config.php and data directory (datadirectory from Nextcloud config)
mysqldump --single-transaction natively or via docker exec (Docker/AIO detection, extra DB container)
Access key is required (strong: upper/lower case, digit, special character); restic password likewise
Scheduled runs via nc-backup.timer (service is oneshot, often disabled – the timer is enabled)
Update notice in web UI and GUI (checks GitHub Releases, no auto-install)
Optional Nextcloud app to start a backup. API /api/backup, /api/status, /api/targets with Bearer token unchanged
One .deb for ARM64 and x86_64 · no nginx

Nextcloud app

Optional and not in the Nextcloud App Store. Copy ncbackup into apps/ via SSH and enable it with occ. The web UI is enough for backup and restore; the app only starts backups.

Nextcloud updater note: Because the app is not in the App Store, Nextcloud may show “no compatible version” during a server upgrade. Locally it supports Nextcloud 28–40. After upgrading, re-enable with occ app:enable ncbackup (or --force) if needed.

Settings → Administration → NC Backup: web UI URL (port 42173) and access key (token from /etc/nc-backup/web-token or the web UI)
NC Backup icon in the Nextcloud header: choose a target and start the backup
No restore in the app – use the web UI on port 42173

How to install the Nextcloud app

Download 2.1.1

Debian package (recommended, Ubuntu 26.04 and 24.04): nc-backup_2.1.1-1_all.deb

sudo dpkg -i nc-backup_2.1.1-1_all.deb
sudo apt -f install
# Browser: http://SERVER-IP:42173

From source: sudo ./scripts/install-ubuntu.sh. Archive: nc-backup-2.1.1-source.tar.gz. If UFW is present, the installer adds allow 42173/tcp but does not enable UFW itself.

Full setup guide →

Previous version

Version 1.8.3 runs only on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, not on Ubuntu 26.04.

Use this only if you stay on 24.04 on purpose. On 26.04, policykit-1 is gone – 1.8.3 will not install cleanly.

Debian package 1.8.3: nc-backup_1.8.3-1_all.deb
Source 1.8.3: nc-backup-1.8.3-source.tar.gz

sudo dpkg -i nc-backup_1.8.3-1_all.deb
sudo apt -f install

Again: version 1.8.3 supports Ubuntu 24.04 LTS only, not Ubuntu 26.04.