How to disable a Nextcloud app

Nextcloud apps add features such as sharing extensions, background services, authentication integrations, and dashboard widgets. Disabling an app pauses that feature without deleting the installed app files or the stored app data that may be needed later.

The server stores app state separately from app code, so the same app can be installed but inactive. The occ command works from the shell during maintenance windows, uses the exact app ID, and returns a clear enabled or disabled state.

Disable one app at a time when the feature affects login, storage, sharing, or client sync. The disabled state is reversible with app:enable, but users can lose access to the app's feature immediately after the state changes.

Related: How to install a Nextcloud app

Steps to disable a Nextcloud app with occ:

List the installed apps and identify the exact app ID to disable.
```
$ sudo -u www-data php /var/www/nextcloud/occ app:list
Enabled:
  - activity: 7.0.0
  - appstore: 1.0.0
##### snipped
  - survey_client: 6.0.0-dev.0
##### snipped
Disabled:
  - admin_audit: 1.24.0
  - encryption: 2.22.0
```
The app ID is the text before the colon. Replace www-data and /var/www/nextcloud/occ with the web-server user and occ path for your installation.

Related: How to run Nextcloud occ commands
Disable the target app.
```
$ sudo -u www-data php /var/www/nextcloud/occ app:disable survey_client
survey_client 6.0.0-dev.0 disabled
```
Disabling an app can remove active UI, API, login, sharing, or storage behavior immediately. Use app:remove only when the app package should be uninstalled instead of paused.

List the apps again and confirm the target app moved to Disabled.

$ sudo -u www-data php /var/www/nextcloud/occ app:list
Enabled:
  - activity: 7.0.0
  - appstore: 1.0.0
##### snipped
Disabled:
  - admin_audit: 1.24.0
  - encryption: 2.22.0
##### snipped
  - survey_client: 6.0.0-dev.0 (installed 6.0.0-dev.0)

The disabled app remains installed, so its stored data can still be available if the app is enabled again later.

Author: Mohd Shakir Zakaria
Mohd Shakir Zakaria is a cloud architect with deep roots in software development and open-source advocacy. Certified in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, he specializes in designing and managing robust cloud and on-premises infrastructures.