Synology Package Center Settings to Check Before Community Packages

Before you install any community package on a Synology NAS, you need to check a few Package Center settings to avoid security risks, broken dependencies, and system instability. The most important settings are the trust level, the package source list, and the update behavior, which together control what can be installed and how it is maintained. This article walks through each setting you should verify, explains why it matters, and covers common problems you may run into.

Why Community Packages Require Extra Caution

Synology’s Package Center is the official app store for DSM, the operating system that runs on Synology NAS devices. It contains packages that Synology has tested and signed, so they install cleanly and receive updates through the normal DSM update channel. Community packages, by contrast, come from third-party developers who publish their own repositories. These packages are not vetted by Synology, and they often rely on older libraries or custom scripts that can conflict with DSM’s security model.

The main risk is not malware—most community packages are legitimate open-source tools—but rather the potential for a package to break after a DSM update, to require root-level access that weakens the system, or to be abandoned by its developer, leaving you with an unpatched service exposed to the internet. Checking your Package Center settings before adding a community source is the first line of defense.

Setting the Trust Level

In Package Center, click the gear icon in the top-right corner to open General settings. The first option is Trust Level, which has three choices:

• Synology – only installs packages signed by Synology. This is the safest option, but it blocks all community packages.
• Synology and trusted publishers – allows packages from Synology plus any publisher whose certificate is already trusted by the system. This is a middle ground, but it does not automatically trust community repositories.
• Any publisher – allows installation of any package, including unsigned ones. This is required for most community repositories, but it also means DSM will not warn you about the source.

If you plan to use community packages, you will likely need to set the trust level to Any publisher. However, you should change it only temporarily: install what you need, then switch back to Synology and trusted publishers or Synology to reduce the attack surface. Leaving it on Any publisher means any package you manually download and install will be accepted without a signature check.

Managing Package Sources

Community packages are distributed through repositories, which are URLs that Package Center polls to list available software. To add a repository, go to Package Center → Settings → Package Sources. Here you can add, edit, or remove sources. Before adding a community source, verify the URL is the official one from the developer’s website or GitHub page. A typo or an outdated URL can point to a defunct server, or worse, a malicious mirror.

After adding a source, Package Center will fetch the list of packages. You should review the list and only install packages that are actively maintained. Check the Last Updated column; if a package has not been updated in over a year, it may not be compatible with your DSM version. Also, note that some community packages depend on other packages from the same repository, so you may need to install several at once.

Update Behavior and Automatic Updates

By default, DSM checks for package updates automatically and can install them without user intervention. For community packages, this is a double-edged sword. An update that works fine on a developer’s test NAS might break on your specific hardware or DSM version. Therefore, before installing community packages, consider changing the update policy.

Go to Package Center → Settings → General and look for Update options. You can choose to:

• Automatically install all updates (including community packages)
• Only notify you when updates are available
• Manual update only

For community packages, it is safer to select Manual update only or at least Notify me. This gives you a chance to read release notes and check for compatibility before applying an update. If you leave automatic updates on, a bad update could render a service unavailable until you manually roll back.

Checking DSM Version Compatibility

Each community package is built for a specific DSM major version (e.g., DSM 6.2, DSM 7.0, DSM 7.2). Before adding a repository, confirm that the repository supports your DSM version. Many older community repositories were built for DSM 6 and do not work on DSM 7 because Synology changed the way packages are structured and signed. If you are on DSM 7, look for repositories that explicitly state compatibility with DSM 7.

You can check your DSM version by going to Control Panel → Info Center. If a community package is not compatible, it will either fail to install or install but crash on launch. Some repositories offer separate package files for different DSM versions, so make sure you download the correct one.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right settings, community packages can cause issues. Here are the most common problems and what to check:

• Package fails to install – Usually a dependency issue. Look at the error message; it may tell you which dependency is missing. Install that dependency first, or check if the repository offers a “all-in-oneâ€� package.
• Package installs but does not start – Check the package’s log files in /var/log/ or the package’s own log directory. Often it is a permission problem or a missing configuration file.
• DSM becomes slow or unresponsive – Some community packages use a lot of RAM or CPU. Check Resource Monitor in DSM to see which process is consuming resources, and consider disabling the package if it is not essential.
• Package disappears after a DSM update – DSM updates can remove or break community packages because the underlying system libraries change. You may need to reinstall the package after each DSM update.
• Security warnings from DSM – If you see a warning that a package is unsigned or from an unknown publisher, that is expected for community packages. But if the warning appears for a package you did not install, it may indicate a compromised repository.

Safety Measures Beyond Package Center

Package Center settings alone cannot guarantee safety. Consider these additional measures:

• Do not expose community packages directly to the internet – If a package runs a web server (like a media server or a download manager), do not forward its port in your router unless you absolutely need remote access. Use a VPN instead.
• Keep regular backups – Before installing a community package, take a configuration backup of your NAS. If the package corrupts something, you can restore.
• Use a separate user account – Do not run community packages as the admin user. Create a dedicated user with minimal privileges and configure the package to run under that user if possible.
• Monitor for updates – Subscribe to the repository’s RSS feed or GitHub releases to know when updates are available, since you may have disabled automatic updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change the trust level to install community packages?

Yes, most community packages are not signed by Synology, so you need to set the trust level to “Any publisher� to install them. However, you can change it back after installation. If you set it to “Synology and trusted publishers,� you may not be able to install unsigned packages.

Can I have both official and community packages installed at the same time?

Yes, you can. The two types coexist, but be aware that some community packages may conflict with official ones if they use the same port or service name. Check the package descriptions for conflicts.

What happens if I remove a community repository?

Removing a repository does not uninstall the packages you already installed, but it prevents you from receiving updates for those packages. If you remove the repository, you may want to also uninstall the packages to avoid running outdated software.

Why does a community package fail to start after a DSM update?

DSM updates can change system libraries, permissions, or the package structure. Community packages are not guaranteed to be compatible with every DSM update. You may need to reinstall the package or wait for the developer to release an update.

Is it safe to use community packages on a Synology NAS that holds important data?

It can be safe if you take precautions: use a separate volume for the package data, keep backups, and avoid exposing the package to the internet. But there is always some risk, so test on a non-critical NAS first if possible.

How do I know if a community repository is trustworthy?

Look for repositories that are widely referenced in official forums or documentation, have a clear maintainer, and provide checksums or signatures for their packages. Avoid repositories that are anonymous or have a history of broken packages.

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