Sync WebDAV for Linux connects WebDAV-compatible apps to Sync through a local server running on your Linux machine, preserving end-to-end encryption.
As a Linux user, you can:
- Mount your Sync folder or Vault as a network drive.
- Browse and manage files through your Linux file manager.
- Sync or back up local folders with tools like Rclone.
- Automate transfers and backups with scripts or scheduled tasks.
- Connect a compatible Linux-based NAS to Sync for cloud backups.
In this article:
How to install the WebDAV server
Follow the steps below to install the Sync WebDAV server on your Linux device:
-
Open Terminal.
For example, on Ubuntu click the Grid or Ubuntu icon in the dock, and open the Terminal app.
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Install the Sync WebDAV Server.
Paste the following install command into Terminal:
curl -LsSf https://www10.sync.com/download/webdav/install.sh | sh
If you receive a Curl-related error, run the following commands and then try the installation again:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt install curl
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Restart Terminal.
After the installation completes, close the Terminal window completely and then open a new Terminal window. This step is required because the installer creates a command shortcut that becomes available only after Terminal has been restarted.
If you're using an esoteric distro, you may need to manually add it to your path using this command:
export PATH="$HOME/.sync-webdav/bin:$PATH"
(this example assumes you installed it in your home directory)
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Sign in to Sync.
In the new Terminal window, run:
sync-webdav
This will open a web authentication step on a local device, or provide an authorization URL if you're using the --headless option. You'll be prompted to sign in with you Sync credentials, then either redirected back to the Terminal window by clicking Open terminal, or, if using the --headless option, from the URL prompted to Copy token and paste it back into the Terminal.
Common runtime options:sync-webdav --headless (to install the server remotely)
sync-webdav --daemon (to run the server in the background)
sync-webdav --port <number> (default is 4918)
sync-webdav --mount vault/ (scoped access to Vault, otherwise defaults to Files)
sync-webdav --allow-from <addresses> (comma separated IPlist, otherwise only accepts connections from localhost) -
Copy your WebDAV credentials.
Installation creates separate WebDAV credentials: username sync and a randomly generated password.
Save the password shown during installation. and use these credentials when connecting a WebDAV client.
Note: your Sync email and account password are only used to authorize the WebDAV install and sign in to Sync, NOT to connect to the WebDAV server.
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Confirm the server is running.
After successfully signing in, you should see:Sync WebDAV Server running at http://127.0.0.1:4918/
Which Linux WebDAV setup should I use?
Once the WebDAV server is installed and running (see the previous section), you can connect virtually any WebDAV-compatible client or tool to access your files in Sync. The best setup depends on what you want to do with your Sync files.
| I want to... | Recommended solution |
|---|---|
| Browse and manage Sync files from Ubuntu or GNOME | Nautilus (Files) |
| Browse and manage Sync files from KDE Plasma | Dolphin |
| Mount Sync as a standard Linux filesystem | davfs2 |
| Mount Sync as a local drive with more advanced options | Rclone mount |
| Copy or back up a local folder to Sync | Rclone copy or sync |
| Keep a local folder and Sync synchronized in both directions | Rclone Bisync |
| Move files from Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud provider to Sync | Rclone migration |
| Create scheduled, versioned backups of a Linux computer | Duplicati |
| Back up a UGREEN NAS to Sync | UGREEN Sync & Backup |
| Back up a QNAP NAS to Sync | QNAP Hybrid Backup Sync |
| Back up a Synology NAS to Sync | Synology Hyper Backup |
Terminal commands
Use the login and profile commands to sign in, save your Sync session, view saved profiles, or remove a saved session from your device.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| login [options] | Log in and persist a session for a profile |
| logout [options] | Remove the stored session for a profile |
| update | Update to the latest published version |
| credentials [options] | Show, create or replace the WebDAV password clients must use to connect to the server |
Command options
| Option | Short | Description |
|---|---|---|
| --help | - | Displays all available commands and options. |
| --port <0-65535> | -p | Port to run the WebDAV server on (default: 4918) |
| --verbose | -v | Enable verbose logging |
| --analytics <true|false> | Enable or disable analytics (default true) | |
| --daemon | Run in background mode | |
| --mount <path> | -m | Set the root folder for WebDAV requests Defaults to Files (Sync folder) Vault mount: --mount vault/ Folder scope: --mount path/to/folder/ |
| --label <string> | -l | Display name returned to WebDAV clients (default: "Sync Drive") |
| --profile <name> | Profile name to use (default: "default"). Can be used with credentials command. | |
| --list | Option for login or credentials command that lists all profiles. | |
| --log-file <path> | Enable file logging to the specified path | |
| --config <path> | -c | Path to an ini config file |
| --upload-temp-dir <path> | Directory used to spill PUT request bodies during streaming uploads (default: OS temp directory) | |
| --headless | Complete browser sign-in without a loopback listener: print the URL and read the pasted code from stdin (for NAS / container / SSH hosts). Can be used with credentials command. | |
| --reset | Option for credentials, to reset the auto-generated password | |
| --allow-from <list> | Machines allowed to connect (default: this machine only). Comma-separated IP addresses, CIDR blocks (192.168.1.0/24) or ranges (192.168.1.20-192.168.1.31). One entry may cover at most 65536 machines (an IPv4 /16, or an IPv6 /112), in whichever syntax it is written. 'any' allows every machine that can reach the port; 'none' allows this machine only. |
FAQs
How do I submit a bug?
If you encounter an issue while testing WebDAV, please contact the support team and provide as much detail as possible:
- A description of the issue
- Steps to reproduce the behavior
- Any error messages displayed
- Screenshots or screen recordings, if available
- Your Linux distribution and version
-
Optional:
- Restart the WebDAV server with verbose logging as follows:
sync-webdav --verbose --log-file ~/webdav.log - Try to replicate the issue and capture logs.
- Restart the WebDAV server with verbose logging as follows:
How do I update to the latest WebDAV version?
Run the installer again:
curl -LsSf https://www10.sync.com/download/webdav/install.sh | sh
If Sync WebDAV is already installed, restarting the server will update your existing installation to the latest available version.