Wouldn’t you like to download your favorite YouTube videos and audios directly to your Synology NAS without any ads and fully automated? I know there are thousands of sites offering to give you just this, but the fact of the matter is they are full of junk advertisements and, more importantly, malware. And why resort to external services when your own Synology NAS can do it, and safely. Discover today how to download your favorite videos and audio files to your Synology NAS using a Docker container. Create a playlist, or more, and find out how to set up automatic downloading for your favorite YouTube channels and download everything you’d like to watch and listen to directly to your Synology NAS (but do please comply with copyright guidelines). Doesn’t that sound great? It’s not magic – it’s Synology NAS! In this step by step guide I will show you how to install YouTube Downloader on your Synology NAS using Docker.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest YouTube Downloader v4.3 release.

• STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

• STEP 2

Install Docker via Synology “Package Center”.

• STEP 3

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

• STEP 4

Now create five new folders inside the youtubedl folder that you created at STEP 3 name appdata, audio, subscriptions, users, video. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 5

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

• 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 YouTubeDL“. 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=youtube_downloader \
-p 8084:17442 \
-v /volume1/docker/youtubedl/appdata:/app/appdata \
-v /volume1/docker/youtubedl/audio:/app/audio \
-v /volume1/docker/youtubedl/subscriptions:/app/subscriptions \
-v /volume1/docker/youtubedl/users:/app/users \
-v /volume1/docker/youtubedl/video:/app/video \
--restart always \
tzahi12345/youtubedl-material

• STEP 7

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

• STEP 8

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

• 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:8084 Copy and paste a YouTube URL of your choice, select the quality of your audio or video, mark Multi-download Mode if there is more than one URL, then click Download. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 11

After the download is complete you can listen to the music you’ve downloaded or watch the video you’ve downloaded, depending on your choice. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 12

If you click on the 3 vertical bullets in the upper right, you can access the Menu where you can find Settings and Dark Mode. In the Settings Area you have a few easy options to personalize your app according to your preferences.

Enjoy YouTube Downloader!

Note: If you want to run the Youtube Downloader container over HTTPS check How to Run Docker Containers Over HTTPS.

Now you have a powerful self-hosted YouTube Download station running on your Synology NAS. Enjoy it!
Note: If you like YouTube Downloader, then you might also like these 3 alternatives: MeTube, TubeSync, AllTube.
Note: Find out how to update YouTube Downloader container with the latest image.
Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: How to Free Disk Space on Your NAS if You Run Docker.
Note: You can also download YouTube Videos using the Synology Download Station package.
Note: I recommend you use Reverse Proxy to allow Youtube Downloader to work over an HTTPS connection.
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 17th, 2023 at 4:43 PM