App nextcloud iOS: browser is not supported

[fakendry]

Good morning, I have a problem with the app on iPhone (iOS 17.4.1 and Nextcloud version 28). However I tried to connect the app to the nextcloud demo server “https://nextcloud27.our-servers.de/” (Username: user password: demo123) and the app works perfectly.

The problem arose after reinstalling nextcloud.

Steps to reproduce

1. Install or reinstall app nextcloud on iPhone
2. login on server
3. error browser the app interface does not open but rather the web interface

Expected behaviour

Expected native app look and feel.

Actual behaviour

App thinks it's a browser, and shows an error that it's outdated.
Additionally, login credentials are not saved, closing and reopening the app prompts for login again.

Screenshots

the screenshot is the same as the one published in this other issues
nextcloud/android#11768

info

iOS version: 17.4.1
Nextcloud iOS app version: 5.2.7
Server operating system: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Web server: Lighttpd
Database: 10.11.6-MariaDB
PHP version: 8.2.18
Nextcloud version: 28.0.5

[i2h3]

Do you still experience this issue with the latest iOS app version (6.6.1)?

[sfaria]

I'm experiencing this bug on one of our devices. NextCloud iOS 6.6.2 on iOS 18.4.1. NextCloud server is version 30.0.10.

I cannot seem to log the device in using regular login flow with TOTP codes. I was able to get it connected using an app password.

[i2h3]

with TOTP codes

@sfaria Are you cancelling the second authentication step and starting over at the credentials form or do you just pick TOTP and succeed ad the first try?

[sfaria]

with TOTP codes

@sfaria Are you cancelling the second authentication step and starting over at the credentials form or do you just pick TOTP and succeed ad the first try?

We opened the app and logged in. We enter the credentials and then it asks for a TOTP code (this is expected, as 2FA is enabled for this account). We then tap on the button to choose login with TOTP code and then it automatically redirects back to the login page.

We then tried to log in a second time and it allowed us to enter the TOTP code but then instead of redirecting from the embedded browser back to the app, instead it stayed in the embedded browser and displayed a message that the browser used was not supported.

[i2h3]

The plot thickens. I filed Nextcloud server issue #52908 where probably the same can be reproduced. Also there are issues like this which show that the Nextcloud server does not work as expected in the login. It looks less and less like the app can do something about it.

@sfaria The redirect you observe happens immediately on selection of the TFA method? How much time passes between opening the login page, submitting the credentials form and selecting the TFA method? Just trying to narrow it down. Maybe cookies or such expire.

Some explanation about the unsupported browser message: The message appears because the server somehow looses track of the information that a client is going through the login flow (likely due to faulty redirects). Hence the web view is lead to the usual Nextcloud web UI as it would be in Safari. The app uses its custom user agent string, though. Hence the misleading message about an unsupported browser. In the end it should not appear because the app should obtain an app password and dismiss the web view in due time.

[sfaria]

@i2h3 Thank you for looking into this!

The issue happens as soon as the TOTP button is tapped and the time between beginning the flow and logging in is a matter of seconds - we aren't leaving the browser open for more time than it takes to tap and get redirected.

It is also 100% reproducible for us.

[i2h3]

@sfaria Can you check your server logs for errors or the traffic during the login attempt? The app's web view sort of blindly follows whatever URLs or redirects the server is dealing to it. Some people have a custom SMS OTP solution in place which might cause an error and hence a redirect to the initial login form.

[Sloelk]

Hey there

I have the same problem with actual app on iOS. Here are my versions:

Nextcloud 30.0.10 (von Hetzner)
iOS Nextcloud App 6.6.2
iOS 18.4.1

I could reproduce the problem. It appears if I use the default encryption app in the nextcloud instance. When I try to login a warning appears that encryption keys for user will be created on next login. Then the login is only as unsupported browser possible and the app does not switch back to app version after login. The login is not persistent, too.
If I disable the default encryption app, login over app is possible again. But the I can't use any files because of missing encryption module.

At the moment I can't decrypt my system, because the occ command is not available at the hosted system.

Hope, that leads to the problem. Kind regards

[i2h3]

@Sloelk Just discussed this with @tobiasKaminsky and we recommend updating to Nextcloud 30.0.11 which likely fixes that problem with the server-side encryption.

[Sloelk]

@i2h3 ok, thx. I need to wait until my hoster allows this update. They have no timeline for this at the moment....

I'll update, if I get something new.

[marcop135]

@i2h3 Will an incoming update fix this issue?