Synology Drive is what you want if you’d like to use your NAS like a Dropbox — sync files across Mac/Windows/Linux/iOS/Android, sharing links with passwords, version history, all from one place. In our experience, the most popular Synology package among private customers.
The setup has two parts: enable the Synology Drive Server package on the NAS, and install the Drive client on your devices.
1. Enabling Drive Server on the Synology
If you asked for Drive when ordering, it’s already installed. Otherwise:
- Open Package Center.
- Search for “Synology Drive Server” → Install.
- After installation, switch to the Synology Drive Admin Console (its own icon in the DSM main menu).
In the Admin Console you’ll find:
- Overview — who syncs how much
- Team Folder — enable shared folders for multiple users
- Version history — how many versions are kept per file (default: 32, good as is)
- Log management — who changed which file when
- Task list — running synchronizations
2. Installing the Drive client on your devices
The client is available for all platforms at synology.com/de-de/dsm/feature/drive. On iOS and Android, in the respective app stores.
On first launch, enter your server address — typically the DSM URL without port, e.g. https://12345.nas.xaweho.de:5001/ (or your own domain, if set up). Log in with your DSM user and password.
If you have 2FA enabled (which you should), you’ll be asked for the TOTP code during setup — after that, the client remembers the login via an app token.
3. Setting up sync folders
On first launch, the Drive client opens a setup screen:
Pick a sync mode:
- Sync task (classic, Dropbox-style): mirror a local folder ↔ server folder. Local change → server, server change → local.
- Backup task: one-way — local → server. Your computer pushes data to the Synology, but nothing comes back from the server. Handy for backing up your documents.
On-demand sync is an option from DSM 7 on: not all data lands locally, files appear as placeholders instead. Double-click, and the file is fetched from the server. Saves storage on Mac/Windows, but needs internet every time you open a file.
From our experience: sync task for documents, on-demand sync for large photo libraries or movies.
4. Browser access to Drive
Even without a client, you can reach your Drive data in the browser at https://<deine-domain>/?launchApp=SYNO.SDS.Drive.Application or via the app list in DSM. Handy for occasional access from someone else’s computer — no installation needed.
In the browser you can:
- Upload, download, rename files
- Create sharing links (more below)
- Restore previous versions of a file
- Edit office documents right in the browser (with Synology Office, a separate app)
5. Creating sharing links
In Drive (browser or client): right-click a file or folder → Copy sharing link or Share.
In the advanced dialog (via Share) you can configure:
- Expiry date — the link expires automatically, say after 7 days.
- Password — the recipient additionally needs a password. We strongly recommend this for sensitive data.
- Read vs. write permissions — the recipient can only download, or upload too.
- Limit the number of downloads — after N downloads, the link is dead.
From our own experience: for customer documents, always password plus expiry date. Never bare “whoever has the link gets in” links for sensitive stuff.
6. Drive on your smartphone
The Drive app on iOS and Android does essentially the same as the desktop client, plus:
- Photo auto-upload (overlaps with Synology Photos — see Synology Photos)
- Offline sync of individual files
- Browsing server folders with on-demand download
Enable for a good experience:
- Push notifications for shared documents
- Auto-upload for camera pictures, unless you’re running Synology Photos in parallel
Best practices from our day-to-day
A few things we see with customers again and again:
Make a separate Drive folder per use case: personal stuff, work, shared family things. They sync separately, and you can pick a sync mode per folder.
Don’t forget version history: 32 versions per file (default) is enough for most scenarios. With frequently edited documents (Mac Pages auto-saves every 30 seconds!), that can get tight — bump it up in the Admin Console, or keep only major versions per file.
Drive is not a backup. If you delete a file locally, it’s gone on the Synology too. Version history only helps for 32 versions. A real backup is Hyper Backup to a target outside your Synology — for example our Hyper Backup Storage.
With large data sets, don’t start the initial sync over Wi-Fi. A 200 GB photo library over Wi-Fi is agony. Kick off the first sync over Ethernet; switching to Wi-Fi afterwards is fine.
Frequently asked questions
How does Drive differ from Cloud Station Drive? Cloud Station Drive was the predecessor of Synology Drive on old DSM versions (DSM 6 and earlier). Synology Drive is the current, supported variant. If you’re still on Cloud Station Drive, migrate — Synology Drive Server can take it over automatically.
Can I sync multiple Synologys in parallel with the same Drive client? Yes. In the client, you can set up multiple server connections. Handy for e.g. home Synology and xaweho Synology in parallel — separate sync tasks per server.
What happens on sync conflicts?
If the same file was changed on two devices at the same time, Drive keeps both versions — one gets a suffix (Datei (conflict).docx). You have to decide manually which one to keep.
How much bandwidth does Drive use? Initial sync: as much as it can get. In daily use, practically nothing — Drive only syncs the delta. You can set an upload/download limit per task if you don’t want your whole connection blocked during the day.
Where does the Drive data live on the Synology?
By default in the shared folder homes/<benutzer>/Drive. You can also pick a different location per user/task (in the Drive Admin Console).
Can I encrypt Drive data? Synology supports encrypted shared folders (AES-256). Drive can sync to an encrypted folder — you then have to unlock the folder manually after every NAS reboot, or work with an auto-mount script.
What if I want to move to another NAS? Copy the Drive data (via File Station or Hyper Backup), enable Drive Server on the new NAS, repoint the clients — all doable. Three to four hours of work if the data volume isn’t huge.
What’s next
First login to DSM after provisioning
What to do first after ordering your Synology from us — login, language, initial security, and getting a few important defaults right from the start.
Securing the admin account on your Synology — 2FA, password, login protection
A Synology exposed to the internet is a brute-force magnet. Here's how to harden the admin account, protect against login floods and sleep better at night.
Setting up Synology Photos — photo auto-upload and album management
An iCloud Photos replacement on your own hardware. How to set up Synology Photos, enable auto-upload, and use face and object recognition.
Configuring Snapshot Replication for version protection
Btrfs snapshots protect your data against ransomware, accidental deletion and broken updates. What it is, how to set it up, and why it doesn't replace a backup.