Access to Nextcloud requires a Firehawk-Systems account
If you don't have a Firehawk-Systems account, follow this process [https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/books/managing-your-account/page/requesting-an-account](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/books/managing-your-account/page/requesting-an-account) To login to Nextcloud, navigate to [https://cloud.firehawk-systems.com](https://cloud.firehawk-systems.com), and use your Firehawk-Systems account credentials [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/BZO5S9SV2Jj2woTL-image.png)When logging in for the first time, it may take several minutes for your account to be set up
If you cannot login, email support@firehawk-systems.com with the title "REQUEST - Nextcloud Access: <my username>"
When your account is ready, you'll be greeted with a intro popup. You can just close it. [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/TL2o6rb199dZ8UdE-image.png) You initial set of files will include numerous template files. You can delete them as shown below [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/HLmiryWzAhgAkRy3-image.png) ### Creating Folders To avoid future confusion, do the following now: - Create a Documents folder - Create a Downloads folder - Create a Pictures folder - Create a Videos folder Folders can be created by clicking the "+ New" button then selecting "New Folder" [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/n9tg6rNd1tgkrR2L-image.png) ### Configuring Two-Factor Authentication (TFA)As Nextcloud may contain your private data, you should always secure it with TFA
Click on your user icon the click "Settings" [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/q3Bpg1aRBjumIN9Z-image.png) From the Settings menu, click on "Security" [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/1VP6QRUb2cFngLQD-image.png) Always check "Use two-factor authentication via Nextcloud notifications". Once you set up Nextcloud on your mobile devices, you can use that to approve new logins to Nextcloud. #### Email TFA To use email as your TFA method, click on the "Use two-factor authentication via email" button. An email containing a link will be sent. When the link is opened, email TFA will be complete. #### TOTP TFAWe recommend using Firehawk-Systems Bitwarden for TOTP, see here: [https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/books/bitwarden/page/account-setup](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/books/bitwarden/page/account-setup)
To use TOTP as your TFA method, click on the "Enable TOTP" button. A QR code will be created, which you can scan with your TFA app, then input the 6-digit code it generates to complete the setup. [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/TppsxR6UhS8WumVK-image.png) #### TFA Recovery CodesRecovery codes for TFA always important, save them in a safe place
To set up TFA Backup/Recovery codes, click the "Generate backup codes" button. Save the generated codes with the "Save backup codes" button, or copying them manually. [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/Q4qrmZ9TDZIg1Vgr-image.png) ### You have completed the Nextcloud First-time Login # SharingNextcloud is particularly powerful because it provides a mechanism to share content without the recipient needing an a Firehawk-Systems account
### Creating a Share Shares from Nextcloud can take two forms. A user share, or link share. User shares must specify another Nextcloud user, while link shares can be sent to anyone. To create a share, target a file or folder and click the share icon. This will open the share management menu for that file/folder. [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/Qa9oLRvCXTrx3GkH-image.png) [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/zNvY7g3YFdg1t6Te-image.png) #### User Shares User Shares can be created by typing a user or group name in the text box under "Internal shares".Entries with the highlighted icon are groups, those without the icon are users
[](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/H3PBVHCkq7TqujUb-image.png) The permission of the share (Edit or read-only) can be selected with either the "View only" or "Allow editing" presets. More granular options are available by clicking on "Custom permissions". The "Advanced settings" button exposes other options like expiration of the share, allowing download of the file (as opposed to only viewing it in the website/app), or attaching a note. [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/0wu0ULGXMw0xPHqj-image.png) #### Link Shares To create a publicly accessible share, click on the "+" next to "Create public link" under "External shares" [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/MMquOUhJwgPpvbLj-image.png)Share links have a default expiry of 14 days. You may change it, but it shouldn't be disabled unless you know what you're doing
[](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/0chmZtzqreC2cI5q-image.png) Click "Create share" to finalize the share or customize it further. When successfully created, a tick will show and the random share link will be automatically copied to your clipboard. [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/3huVaoXBDh3MlUQV-image.png) ##### Customize Link ShareLink Shares support more customization options than User Shares, multiple share links can be created via hamburger menu
Click on the hamburger menu then "Customize link". The same permission presets as User Shares will show, but "Advanced settings" contains the interesting options. [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/J1xiOg8IVGzM4hyn-image.png) Under "Advanced settings" , the share can be customized with the following: - Share label - Arbitrary annotation for the share creator - Share link token - This is unique identifier that will be part of the share link - Setting it to `myshare` would make the link [https://cloud.firehawk-systems.com/s/myshare](https://cloud.firehawk-systems.com/s/myshare) - Share links are global, so duplicate link tokens will be rejected - Set password - Requires a password to be entered before anyone with the link can view the content - Set expiration date - Expiry of the share link - Hide download - Only allow the user to view the content through the website, not download onto their device - Note to recipient - Same as User Shares, deliver a note to the viewer when they open the share - Limit downloads - If downloading of the content is intended but only to a extent, apply a download limit to the share [](https://knowledge.firehawk-systems.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/GcRXI8XTpmPIT1Tu-image.png) ### You have completed Sharing with Nextcloud