Google has finally agreed to restore a key permission for the Nextcloud app, a move that will restore critical functionality.

As we wrote yesterday morning, Nextcloud revealed that its Android app has effectively been crippled for some months as a result of Google revoking its All Files Access permissions, which allow the Nextcloud app to perform necessary backup functions. Despite repeated attempts by Nextcloud to resolve the issue, Google refused to budge. Adding insult to injury, Google’s own apps—as well as other Big Tech apps—have the All Files Access permission, giving the appearance that Google was targeting an open source rival.

Nextcloud posted an update yesterday afternoon, saying that Google reached out to them yesterday morning to let them know the critical permission would be restored. Below is Nextcloud’s update.

Dear users,

Good news. This morning, May 15, Google reached out to us and offered to restore the permission, which will give our users back the functionality that was lost.

We are preparing a test release first (expected tonight) and a final update with all functionality restored. If no issues occur, the update will hopefully be out early next week!

Thanks to your continued support

Sincerely, the Nextcloud team

The announcement is good news for Nextcloud and its users, and will ensure the app once again offers a full-fledged alternative to Big Tech cloud platforms.