How to Install Jellyfin on Your Synology NAS

How to Install Jellyfin on Your Synology NAS

Jellyfin is a free Software Media System that puts you in control of managing and streaming your media. It is an alternative to the proprietary Emby and Plex, to provide media from a dedicated server to end-user devices via multiple apps. Jellyfin is descended from Emby’s 3.5.2 release and ported to the .NET Core framework to enable full cross-platform support. There are no strings attached, no premium licenses or features, and no hidden agendas: just a team who want to build something better and work together to achieve it. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install Jellyfin on your Synology NAS using Docker. Note: You can also install Jellyfin with Hardware Transcoding if your Synology NAS supports it.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest Jellyfin 10.8.13 release.

đź’ˇNote: Check out How to Install Jellyfin 10.8.13 With Hardware Transcoding

  • STEP 1

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  • STEP 2

Install Container Manager via Synology “Package Center”. If you run an older DSM version (under 7.2), search for Docker instead of Container Manager.

Download Container Manager Synology Docker

  • STEP 3

Go to File Station and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create a new folder and name it jellyfin. Follow the instructions in the images below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 1

  • STEP 4

Inside the jellyfin folder you have previously created at STEP 3, create two new folders and name one cache and the other one config. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 3 new

  • STEP 5

Go to Control Panel / Task Scheduler / Create / Scheduled Task / User-defined script. Follow the instructions in the images below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 2

  • STEP 6

Once you click on User-defined script a new window will open. Follow the instructions below:

  1. General: In the Task field type in Install Jellyfin. Uncheck “Enabled” option. Select root User.
  2. Schedule: Select Run on the following date then select “Do not repeat“.
  3. Task Settings: Check “Send run details by email“, add your email then copy paste the code below in the Run command area. After that click OK.
docker run -d --name=jellyfin \
-v /volume1/docker/jellyfin/config:/config \
-v /volume1/docker/jellyfin/cache:/cache \
-v /volume1/web/movies:/media \
--user 1026:100 \
--net=host \
--restart always \
jellyfin/jellyfin

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Run command area below, change the value numbers for – – user with your own UID and GID values. (Follow my step by step guide on how to do this.) 1026 is my personal UID value and 100 is my personal GID value. You have to type in your own values.
Note: in the code above after -v /volume1/docker/jellyfin/cache:/cache \ you have to add your personal path to movies. For example I have used my personal movies path folder -v /volume1/web/movies:/media \ Change it according to your preferences. -v /path/toyour/movies:/media  \

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 4 new 2023

  • STEP 7

After you click OK on STEP 6 a new warning pop up window will open. Click OK.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 5 new 2023

After you click OK, type in your DSM Password then click Submit. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Synology Task Scheduler Confirm Admin Password

  • STEP 8

After you click Submit on STEP 7, select your “Install Jellyfin” Task then click the “Run” tab. You will be asked to run Install Jellyfin – click OK. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 5

  • STEP 9

Go back to STEP 1 or you will deal with karma 🙂

  • STEP 10

The installation process can take up to a few seconds/minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection. Now open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:8096 Select your preferred display language, then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

14 Jellyfin Synology NAS setup

  • STEP 11

Choose your own Username, Password and Confirm Password then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

15 Jellyfin Synology NAS setup

  • STEP 12

Select your /media folder where your videos are saved. Click Add Media Library. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 8 new

  • STEP 13

Select the content type, for example, “Movies“. Give a display name, for example, “Movies“. Click the Folders + icon. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 9 new

  • STEP 14

Select the /media Folder then click Ok. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 10 new

  • STEP 15

Click Ok again. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 11 new

  • STEP 16

Click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 12 new

  • STEP 17

Select your Preferred Metadata Language then click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 13 new

  • STEP 18

Check “Allow remote connections to this server.” Click Next. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 14 new

  • STEP 19

Click Finish. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 15 new

  • STEP 20

Add your own username and password you have previously chosen at STEP 11. Click Sign In. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 16 new A

  • STEP 21

Enjoy your Jellyfin! You can also use Jellyfin android app, browser etc.

Jellyfin Synology NAS Set up 17 new B

  • STEP 22

Note: If you want to run the Jellyfin container over HTTPS, check How to Run Docker Containers Over HTTPS. In order to make Jellyfin work via HTTPS, it’s mandatory to activate WebSocket.

Note: Find out how to update Jellyfin container with the latest image.
Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: If you experience permissions problems, just right mouse click on your folder where you have your videos stored. Click on Property, Permission tab, Create tab, user & group search for SYSTEM then add read / write to SYSTEM and click Done. Check Apply to this folder, sub-folders and files then click Save. Now try again: open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:8096
Note: Most paid Plex features are free with Jellyfin.
Note: Jellyfin is Open Source.
Note: How to Free Disk Space on Your NAS if You Run Docker.
Note: How to Schedule Start & Stop For Docker Containers.
Note: How to Activate Email Notifications.
Note: How to Add Access Control Profile on Your NAS.
Note: How to Change Docker Containers Restart Policy.
Note: How to Use Docker Containers With VPN.
Note: Convert Docker Run Into Docker Compose.
Note: How to Clean Docker.
Note: How to Clean Docker Automatically.
Note: Best Practices When Using Docker and DDNS.
Note: Some Docker Containers Need WebSocket.
Note: Find out the Best NAS Models For Docker.
Note: Activate Gmail SMTP For Docker Containers.

This post was updated on Friday / February 16th, 2024 at 2:14 AM