Knowledge base

This guide explains how to change the local location used by the desktop app kDrive (desktop application on macOS / Windows / Linux) in order to, for example, store the synchronized data on a different hard drive when the first drive chosen no longer has enough space.

Introduction

• Indeed, if the Lite Sync option is not enabled, all the existing data on the web app kDrive (online service ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive) is also present locally on the synchronized device and takes up storage space.
  • As the volume of data can be very large, you may need to store the data on a different hard drive than the one initially chosen.
• Never move a folder used for kDrive synchronization (/kdrive, /kdrive2, etc.) either when the kDrive application is open or when it is closed or uninstalled in order to be reinstalled.
  • If everything is synchronized, you must delete the folder and recreate it as explained below.
  • If you proceed differently by using a folder that already contains your data, you expose yourself to file conflicts.

Change the local directory used by kDrive

To define a new folder for kDrive synchronization when the first folder chosen initially should no longer be used, follow this procedure:

1. Make sure all your data is synchronised and that it exists and is visible in the kDrive web app (online service at ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive).
2. If necessary, locate the folder currently used by the kDrive desktop app (click on Drive Settings from the application, then click on the blue URL displayed under Folders to open the local folder and identify its location):
   
3. Quit the kDrive desktop app on the device where you want to change the folder used:
   
4. Completely uninstall the kDrive desktop app by deleting all configuration/settings data, etc. – on macOS, use the kDrive Uninstaller in the Applications/kDrive folder):
   
5. Delete the kDrive folder (or kDrive2, etc. located in step 2).
6. Reinstall the kDrive desktop app, and when you connect to your Infomaniak account, click on the pencil ✎ icon at the folder selection step:
   
7. Choose the new hard drive as the location for the new folder (name it as you wish):
   
8. Complete the configuration:
   
9. The download of the kDrive data stored on Infomaniak servers will begin and continue entirely in the background.
   • Refer to this other guide to download only specific folders.

This guide explains how Infomaniak kDrive shares are displayed, depending on the type of share and the application used (Web or Desktop), including internal shares (between users of the same kDrive) and external shares (to users outside of kDrive).

Introduction

• Internal shares (between users of the same kDrive, point A below) are synchronizable on the desktop app.
  • Shared folders appear in a “Shared” folder on the desktop app and can be enabled/disabled in the synchronization settings.
  • Do not move or rename the “Shared” folders locally – this may break the synchronization.
• External shares (to users outside of kDrive, point B below) are not synchronizable on the desktop app.
  • They have certain limitations.

A. Internal sharing (between users of the same kDrive)

It is possible to share files or folders from your personal folder with other users of your kDrive, without using the organization folders (shared folders). This allows you to precisely control access to your private data.

Steps for sharing a folder/file internally

1. In the kDrive web interface, one of the kDrive users right-clicks on the folder or file to be shared:
   
2. Select “Share folder”:
   
3. In the “kDrive Users” tab, enter the name of another user of the same kDrive:
   
4. Choose the permissions:
   
5. Close the sharing window.

Behavior in the desktop app

When an internal share is performed as described above, a folder named “Shared” automatically appears in the local file structure of the desktop application for the user in question, as shown here on macOS:

This folder contains all shared items and will therefore be synchronized with any subsequent changesby the user who shared their data.

You can enable or disable the synchronization of this folder from the desktop application settings, by clicking on the chevron next to the name of the synchronization folder (kDrive2 in the example below) to expand the tree of synchronized files, and by unchecking the “Shared” folder (don't forget to save the changes):

B. External shares (to users outside the kDrive in question)

You can also share files or folders with people who are not part of your kDrive. These shares are called external shares.

Important: The external user must have an Infomaniak account (free or paid) to access the shared content. This is not a public link accessible to anyone.

Steps to share a folder/file externally

1. In the kDrive web interface, one of the kDrive users right-clicks on the folder or file to be shared (for this example, a subfolder of a folder that has already been shared (as in point A above) will be shared; this has no impact).
2. Select “Share folder”:
   
3. In the “kDrive Users” tab, enter the email address of the external person (faq@ik.me in this example):
   
4. Click on the email address to add it, choose the permissions for the user and an optional message, then click on the button in the bottom right corner:
   
5. Select “External user” and click the button in the bottom right corner to send the invitation:
   
6. Close the sharing window.

Behavior in the web (and desktop) app

As long as the user does not view their emails, nothing will happen, and kDrive will not appear, either in the web app or the desktop app:

The user faq@ik.me, whose emails can be viewed as follows:

Once the sharing is accepted:

• The user is redirected to the shared data page within a restricted kDrive:
  
• To find it again later, it may be necessary to switch back to the relevant Organization to make the shared data reappear, as it may not be linked to the kDrives of Organizations that the user already had access to.
• Then, the shared data will be visible in the “Shared with me” section:
  

These external shares are NOT synchronizable via the desktop app. No “Shared” folder appears locally for these shares.

External users can only access files via the kDrive web interface (after logging into their Infomaniak account).

This ensures the security of data shared with third parties while limiting synchronization load on local devices.

Infomaniak tools, such as the Web Mail app (online service at ksuite.infomaniak.com/mail) or the Calendar, Contacts, kSuite interfaces, can be displayed in light mode or dark mode, including based on the settings of your current operating system:

Enable manual mode

To manually choose a dark or light display, without relying on any different display setting on the operating system:

1. Click here (or on the badge with your initials / avatar in the top right corner of the Infomaniak Manager) to "Manage my account":
   
    
2. Then, click on Appearance in the left-hand menu.
3. Click on Light to apply light mode:
   
4. Click on Dark to enable dark mode.

Enable automatic mode

Automatic mode is based on your operating system settings (macOS / Windows...):

1. Click here or on the badge with your initials / avatar in the top right corner of the Infomaniak Manager to "Manage my account":
2. Click on Appearance in the left-hand menu.
3. Click on Automatic mode:
   

Then, if you want to change the light or dark theme of your computer, so that the automatic mode of the Manager takes your preferences into account…

… on macOS

1. Click on System Preferences…
2. Click on Appearance.
3. Choose the desired mode on the right:
   

… on Windows

1. In the Start menu, open Settings > Personalization.
2. Select Colors, then Choose your mode:
   
3. You can choose between Light, Dark, or Custom.
   • If you select Custom, you will be able to choose a default Windows mode and a different default application mode.

And on mobile?

The dark theme is enabled on mobile devices for Infomaniak login and account creation pages; it automatically adapts to the mobile system's preferences, providing a consistent visual experience between mobile applications and login/account creation.

This guide explains how to exclude files and folders from a kDrive synchronization on your computer, and which file types are already excluded by default.‍

Manage kDrive excluded files

To do this:

1. Left-click on the desktop app icon in the notification area of your computer (top right on macOS, bottom right on Windows and a double left-click in the taskbar on Linux).
2. Click on the action menu ⋮ at the top right in the application.
3. Click on Preferences:
   
4. Click on Files to exclude (in the Advanced section).
5. To add files to exclude, click on the icon ‍‍ Add then enter the name.
   • To exclude a collection of files, specify for example *.bak (asterisk "wildcard" preceding the file extension concerned).
   • If you add the name of a folder, it will no longer be synchronized, including its contents, subfolders, etc.
6. To remove files/folders that you had added to exclude from synchronization, click on the Trash icon ‍ Delete all the way to the right of the line concerned.
   • It is possible to hide synchronization warning messages for excluded files by checking the box to the right of the excluded file.
7. Click on the blue button Save:
   

This guide details some of the basic operations that can be easily performed with data on kDrive Infomaniak.

Add a file / folder

On the kDrive web app

To add a file or folder to kDrive Infomaniak:

1. Click here to access the kDrive Infomaniak web app (online service ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive).
2. Click the New button to send a folder:
   
3. Select the folder to upload to kDrive:
   
4. The folder and its contents are sent to kDrive Infomaniak; wait until the import is indicated as complete:
   

The data will be synchronized with the different solutions connected to the same kDrive, for example:

• The mobile app kDrive (application for iOS / Android smartphone or tablet):
  
• And the desktop app kDrive (desktop application on macOS / Windows / Linux)…
  

And if, like in the example above, your computer does not display anything new in the folder corresponding to kDrive (no synchronization), refer to this other guide to explore some possible solutions to the problem.

Rename a file / folder

On the kDrive web app

To rename a file or folder on kDrive Infomaniak:

1. Click here to access the kDrive Infomaniak web app (online service ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive).
2. Select a file to rename and right-click.
3. You can also click on the name of a folder in the top bar.
4. Click on the pencil icon:
   
5. Enter the new name and validate with the ENTER key or click on the validation icon:
   

The new name is synchronized with the different solutions connected to the same kDrive, for example the mobile app kDrive (requires refreshing the interface if you are already in the folder in question) and the desktop app kDrive (desktop application on macOS / Windows / Linux):

Favorite / follow a file

On the kDrive web app

To favorite a file or folder in the Web app kDrive Infomaniak (online service ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive) :

1. Click here to access the kDrive Infomaniak web app (online service ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive).
2. There are several ways to favorite an item:
   1. Select a file to set as a favorite.
   2. Click on the icon ☆ in the top bar.
   3. You can also click on the action menu ⋮ located to the right of the item in question.
   4. Choose Organize.
   5. Click on Add to favorites:
      
3. A yellow star appears to represent favorite files/folders; they are then all visible from the My Favorites menu in the left sidebar:
   

Favorites are synchronized with the different solutions connected to the same kDrive, for example the mobile app kDrive (application for iOS / Android smartphone or tablet):

1. The Favorites menu is found under the Folders icon at the bottom…
2. … but it is sometimes necessary to first go back if you were already browsing a folder:
   
3. Then click on Favorites:
   
4. Synchronized favorites are displayed:
   

On the desktop app kDrive (desktop application on macOS / Windows / Linux) there is no favorites system; no particular distinction will be made for your files placed as favorites on other supports.

Unzip an archive

This feature for .zip files is planned but is not yet available at the moment.

This guide explains how to edit a file in PDF format on the kDrive web app (online service ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive).

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Introduction

• The kDrive web app natively integrates an editor that allows you to edit a PDF document online.
• Your files are never analyzed and are exclusively stored in Switzerland.
• Refer to this other guide if you are looking for information on editing other file formats.

Edit a PDF file

To access kDrive and edit the PDF document:

1. Click here to access the kDrive web app (online service ksuite.infomaniak.com/kdrive).
2. Click on the PDF document in question to open it:
   
3. Click on the Edit button at the top of the document to access the file editor:
   
4. Toadd text at the location, size, and color of your choiceusing the PDF editor:
   1. Click on the TEXT button in the toolbar.
   2. Click on the page and enter text as desired.
   3. Then click on the buttons that have appeared to adjust the size or color of the text.
   4. Click on the Trash can button to delete your selected text blocks:
      
5. To draw in the location, size, and color of your choiceusing the PDF editor:
   1. Click the DRAW button in the toolbar.
   2. Click on the page and draw as desired.
   3. Then click on the buttons that have appeared to adjust the size or color of the lines.
   4. Click the Trash can button to delete your selected lines:
      
6. To highlight text using the PDF editor:
   1. Click on the PENCIL button in the toolbar.
   2. If necessary, increase the display size using the zoom tools at the bottom of the screen.
   3. Highlight your text as desired.
   4. Click on the TRASH CAN button to delete the selected highlights:
      
7. To insert an image using the PDF editor:
   1. Click on the IMAGE button in the toolbar.
   2. Then, click on the button that appears to import an image from your device.
   3. Place and resize the image as desired.
   4. Add alternative text (optional).
   5. Click on the TRASH CAN button to delete the inserted image:
      
8. To create a signature and then sign documents, refer to this other guide:
   
9. Once finished, save the changes and choose whether to create a copy of the modified document or overwrite the existing file:
   

Rename a file (PDF or other)

You can rename any file:

• from the editor or file preview, by double-clicking on the document name:
  
• from the preview, by clicking on the action menu ⋮ and then on the pencil icon:
  
• from the kDrive file structure, by clicking on the action menu ⋮ located to the right of the item in question (or by right-clicking) and then on the Pencil icon:
  

This guide explains how to troubleshoot issues with opening the document editor integrated into the kDrive mobile app on iOS (iPhone / iPad).

Introduction

• On iOS and iPadOS, the kDrive application uses a secure web view to launch the editor.
• If the device has active restrictions (the "Screen Time" feature, parental controls, or MDM management), the operating system may block access to the technical URLs required for the editor.
• Unlike the Android version, which can use a third-party application, the iOS editor requires an active internet connection; if no network is available, a message indicating that the editor cannot be opened will normally be displayed.

Troubleshooting Document Editor Access

If, when you try to edit a document (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) from the kDrive app on iOS:

• A message appears: Unable to load document editor,
• A blank page is displayed and remains frozen without an error message,
• The loading indicator spins indefinitely after you tap the edit icon (pencil)…

… then it is necessary to specifically allow Infomaniak domains in the iOS device settings:

1. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
2. Go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. Enable restrictions if they are not already enabled, then tap Content Restrictions > Web Content.
4. In the Always Allow section, add the following two addresses:
   • https://kdrive.infomaniak.com
   • https://onlyoffice.infomaniak.com

Once these exceptions have been added, return to the kDrive application to resume editing the document.

This guide provides instructions for synchronizing kDrive with Linux using the WebDAV connection protocol.

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Introduction

• Most recent software supporting the WebDAV protocol is compatible with kDrive offers that also support WebDAV. Infomaniak cannot guarantee the compatibility of the service with external applications and does not provide support for this protocol.
• It is recommended toinstall the kDrive application to prevent any file loss.

Connect to kDrive via WebDAV on Linux (Gnome)

To do this:

1. Open Files.
2. In the sidebar, click on Network:
   
3. Enter the server address: davs://IDkDrive.connect.kdrive.infomaniak.com (need help?).
4. Click on Connect.
5. For the account settings, use the following information:
   • Username: the email address you use to log in to your Infomaniak account.
   • Password: create an application password for this specific use.
6. Click on Log in.

This guide will help you test whether the synchronization of kDrive is working correctly on your device.

Introduction

• For synchronization between your devices to work when your data on kDrive is updated (new file, edited document, etc.), it is obviously necessary that:
  • the kDrive app is open,
  • the app is up-to-date and functional,
  • you are logged in with the correct Infomaniak account.

Check if the kDrive app is running in the background

On Windows

To see if the kDrive app is running on a computer with the Windows operating system, you need to find the kDrive icon (a folder, in gray, green, or red) in the notification area.

1. If necessary, open the kDrive software installed on your computer:
   1. Click on the Start menu to open it.
   2. Search for kdrive.
   3. The search result should display the kDrive app (if not, reinstall the application).
   4. Open the kDrive app by clicking on Open or Run as administrator:
      
2. The app icon must be visible in the notification area of your computer, at the bottom right on Windows.
3. If it isn't there:
   1. Locate the small arrow (or chevron) that indicates hidden icons:
      
   2. Click on this arrow to expand the notification area.
   3. The hidden icons will then appear, allowing you to view the desired application:
      
   4. You can also check the notification area customization settings in the Windows system settings.
4. Click on the icon to access the settings and information for your kDrive synchronization:
   

On macOS

If your computer doesn't display anything new in the folder corresponding to kDrive (no synchronization):

1. Check if you see the app icon in the notification area of your computer (top right on macOS, bottom right on Windows, and a double left-click in the taskbar on Linux).
2. If it is absent but you remember having installed the kDrive application on your computer, it is possible that it is simply not open, so search for it and launch it:
   
3. Once opened (and after completing the reconnection to your Infomaniak account if necessary), the kDrive icon appears:
   
4. A few seconds later, synchronization takes place in both directions:
   

On Android

When you import large files or multiple files into kDrive, it may take several minutes. To ensure data import, the kDrive mobile app needs to be able to continue this task when you close the application or open another one. The automatic photo backup function in kDrive may also be disrupted if the app cannot run in the background.

Due to the power management policy on some devices from certain manufacturers (especially Chinese ones), applications that are not on their whitelist may be automatically stopped, which prevents certain tasks from working properly.

It is possible to work around this problem by following the instructions available in English on the don't kill my app website at dontkillmyapp.com:

• Asus
• Huawei
• Lenovo
• Meizu
• Oneplus
• Oppo
• Samsung
• Vivo
• Xiaomi

Don't see your phone's brand? It probably means your phone isn't having any issues.

This guide explains how to synchronize your Obsidian vault on your Infomaniak kDrive via the WebDAV protocol. This way, you can keep your notes safe in a storage medium located in Switzerland.

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Introduction

• Obsidian is a powerful and extensible note-taking tool that uses local Markdown files to organize your knowledge.
• To avoid cluttering your kDrive directories, it is strongly recommended to create a dedicated folder in your personal kDrive directory, with a simple folder name such as "obsidian" for example, and then specify it at the end of the WebDAV link in step 7 below:
  

Configure Obsidian to use kDrive via WebDAV

Prerequisites

• Download and install Obsidian.
• Find your kDrive ID (kDrive ID):
  

The integration is based on the community plugin WebDAV Sync, which ensures two-way synchronization:

1. Open your vault in the Obsidian application.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Go to Community plugins.
4. Enable them:
   
5. Click on Browse:
   
6. Find the WebDAV Sync plugin, install it, and activate it:
   
7. Access the plugin settings to enter the WebDAV account parameters:
   
   1. Server address: https://IDkDrive.connect.kdrive.infomaniak.com (see prerequisites)
   2. Username: email address used to log in to your Infomaniak account
   3. Password: application password if two-factor authentication is enabled or ‍your Infomaniak user account password if you have not enabled 2FA
   4. Name of the personal folder on kDrive, for example /obsidian/ or /folder name/ (see the introduction above)
      
8. Configure the plugin's behavior according to your preferences (synchronization on startup, scheduled, or in real time) and validate.
9. Start a first synchronization test to validate proper communication with kDrive:
   
10. Once the confirmation is validated, the synchronization will run in the background to protect the integrity of your notes: