Setting up an OmniFocus sync server with WebDAVNav Server

OmniFocus 2 for Mac removes the limited Bonjour sync feature in favor of more flexible cloud-based sync, but there are still a number of other options available for self-hosting your own OmniFocus data. One such option is the free WebDAVNav Server application. Here’s how to set this up.

1. Download the free WebDAVNav Server app from the Mac App Store.

   

2. Open the app. It will start out on the General tab, where you’ll begin by picking a folder to share. Click the Select folder to share button at the bottom of this window to do so.

   We recommend creating a new empty folder for this. In the Open panel, use Shift-Command-N To create a new folder. Give it a handy name, like “WebDav” and click Create. Press the Open button to select that new empty folder.

   

3. Switch to the Authentication tab, and pick any username and password. These credentials will be used to ensure that only those you intend to have access to your server can access it.



4. Switch to the Secure tab. Check the Use HTTPS checkbox, and click Create and use self-signed certificate. This will encrypt the communication between apps and the server, so that others on your local network won’t see your data.

   

5. Return to the General tab, and press the Start button. Your personal WebDAV server is now running!

   

You can now configure other devices on your local network to sync with your server, using the numeric or named address given. The numeric address may change every time you connect to a network, so we recommend using the https://hostname.local option, which should only change when your computer name changes.

In our limited testing, we’ve found WebDAVNav Server to also be compatible with OmniPresence as of WebDAVNav Server Version 1.80, so this is now an alternative sync solution for document-based apps like OmniOutliner and OmniGraffle.

Top tips! We’ve heard from some users that using all lowercase letters for the host name works better than Mixed Case. In some cases, adding a port number to the address was also required in order to successfully set up OmniFocus sync.

Configuring or troubleshooting a custom WebDAV server is beyond the level of support we can offer (since we don’t make web server software, and there are far too many different server and settings combinations out there). We’re unable to assist with this over the phone, but if you’re absolutely stuck, send us an email. We can’t answer specific questions or help troubleshoot, but we’ll see if we can point you in the right general direction toward some helpful resources from around the web.