[Bug]: macOS VFS: Nextcloud keeps adding files to trash bin after emptying bin

[AndyXheli]

⚠️ Before submitting, please verify the following: ⚠️

• [x] This is a bug, not a question or a configuration issue.
• [x] This issue is not already reported on Github (I've searched it).
• [x] Nextcloud Server and Desktop Client are up to date. See Server Maintenance and Release Schedule and Desktop Releases for supported versions.
• [x] I agree to follow Nextcloud's Code of Conduct

Bug description

The nextcloud client keep putting items in the macOS bin even after a empty Trash. The allow deletion of items in trash is turned off.

...

Steps to reproduce

Clear macOS trash, items come back again via nextcloud client ...

Expected behavior

Trash should not be effected by NC client ...

Which files are affected by this bug

ALL

Operating system

macOS

Which version of the operating system you are running.

6.0 (25A354)

Package

Official Linux AppImage

Nextcloud Server version

32.0.0 RC2

Nextcloud Desktop Client version

3.17.2

Is this bug present after an update or on a fresh install?

Updated to a major version (ex. 3.16.3 to 3.17.0)

Are you using the Nextcloud Server Encryption module?

Encryption is Disabled

Are you using an external user-backend?

• [x] Default internal user-backend
• [ ] LDAP/ Active Directory
• [ ] SSO - SAML
• [ ] Other

Nextcloud Server logs

Additional info

[jackbeagley]

I am also experiencing this, on a fresh install of 3.17.2 on MacOS 26. I have tried reinitialising VFS as well, but no luck

[emaa10]

I'm also running into this problem. Really annoying, it would be cool if there was a toogle to turn of trashbin sync.

[Rello]

Hello,

I can confirm that this is an issue we need to look next. The setting you mentioned is there to clean trash items. means if you clean them locally, they are also cleaned up on the server.

the current implementation is not "optimal" and will be reworked

[BarisKaragoz]

The same issues: Tahoe 26.1. Client version 4.0.1 on VFS

[sblaisot]

Same here with nextcloud client version 4.0.1 on macos 26.1 Each time the client start, it puts these files in the trash:

Their can not be removed from the trash as long as nextcloud client is running. When client is stopped, however, it is possible to remove them from the trash, but they come back as soom as the client is restarted.

Note: I had VFS activated, theses files disapear from trash as soon as I disable VFS

[AndyXheli]

Hi just wanted to see if there's any movement on this ? MacOS trash keeps getting bigger and bigger and taking up more disk space on the devices.

[laarisyko]

This bug is still there in version 4.0.2 (Mac). This renders the desktop client complelty useless. Makes me feel that Nextcloud really degraded over time. I'm using owncloud / nextcloud for 9 years and have never seen such a massive bug tbh. Any movement here?

[derx05]

4.0.3 and sadly still there. This bug is really making the desktop sync client annoying.

[yvessigner]

Yes, same here. Can't beat the trash out of the bin.

[kostastnt]

Same here. MacOS 15.7.2 and nextcloud 4.0.3.

[errsby]

Oh my god, please fix this.. September 16?? R u kidding lmao..

[AndyXheli]

[Runtemund]

Same here

[oskardotglobal]

For now, you can clear your trash by:

1. Normally clearing it, then restarting Finder via cmd+alt+esc
2. Delete local files via rm -rf ~/.Trash/* in the Terminal

[Runtemund]

@oskardotglobal

For now, you can clear your trash by:

1. Normally clearing it, then restarting Finder via cmd+alt+esc
2. Delete local files via rm -rf ~/.Trash/* in the Terminal

For me it does not work:

uwe@MacBookPro .Trash % rm -rf ~/.Trash/*
zsh: sure you want to delete all the files in /Users/uwe/.Trash [yn]? y
zsh: no matches found: /Users/uwe/.Trash/*

There are still files in the trash. Same as before. Even with 'sudo' not working.

[AndyXheli]

The crazy part is that there’s no feedback from the dev team at all on this. Even something simple like: “Hey guys, we see the issue, we’re actively working on it, and we expect it to be resolved in about a month.” That kind of acknowledgment would go a long way. It lets us know the issue isn’t being ignored and gives us hope instead of leaving us in the dark. Honestly, I see this as a high‑priority problem. Sure, there are other issues, but when something directly affects users’ day‑to‑day operations, it should be addressed ASAP. That’s my opinion, at least.

[Rello]

Hello,

you are correct. some feedback missing here. it is on the to-do list. it got labeled "to develop" and "high" so it will be done in the near future. But due to higher prio topics, it was not done yet.

I agree that this is currently annoying, but it is not stopping the client in its core operation to keep your files in sync.

Background: the client is also enumeration the Trash from the Nextcloud Server. This is specially annoying if you are working with group folders because items deleted there are visible to you. See the Server Trash. If you clear the server trash, items will get removed from the client also. If you enables "allow trash deletion", server items will be removed from the trash there also, if you clear the macOS trash.

The main error is that not-your-files in the trash are synced.

Do as mentioned, it will be taken care of soon

[Runtemund]

@Rello

Thank you for explanation.

It would be great, if the server trash is not totally synced with the local trash. We are working heavily with team folders and I have now files from other users in my local trash.

I am not sure, if syncing the trash is necessary or a wanted design goal. In the past (before we tried using VFS) we were happy, that the server trash was separated from the local trash, because the server trash cleans after a time limit and the local trash as the user wants. So it was possible to recover files, the local user has deleted. If that syncing is an intended feature, it should be optional.

[AndyXheli]

Yes, @Rello , I agree with @Runtemund the local trash on computers should not be synced with the Nextcloud server trash by default. Even when that option is enabled, it often leads to a “sync warnings”. Honestly, this solution doesn’t seem to work very well. If Nextcloud wants to provide this feature, that’s their choice, but I believe it should not be enabled by default. The local PC trash should remain independent and have nothing to do with the Nextcloud server trash.

Anyone who agrees with me, please give me a thumbs up.

[Rello]

as mentioned, there are several issues. as it is syncing ALL trash items of other users. no matter where the feature will go, this is wrong on the first place.

apple is foreseeing trash enumeration so we will see what we can do here.

the sync errors is a 3rd issue with wrong status reporting, that will be solved with 4.0.4 next week

[yntzl]

i figured out a temporary fix:

1. empty the trash on the server via the web client
2. go to Nextcloud settings and click on Virtual file sync on the Mac client
3. check Allow deletion of itens in Trash and click Reset virtual files environment
4. restart Finder

my guess is that the issue will happen again if you delete a file, but i haven't tested this.

[Flo-129]

Please see my solution at: #9264