Can Swads replace Synology DS get?
Learn how Swads works as a DS get alternative on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, including supported Download Station workflows, requirements, and limitations.
Yes. Swads can replace common DS get remote-management workflows on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It is an independent third-party app and still requires the Download Station package on your NAS.
This page compares Swads with the Android version of DS get. It focuses on the Apple-platform capabilities that Swads provides and DS get for Android does not.
What Swads adds beyond DS get for Android
Swads is designed for people who manage Synology Download Station from Apple devices. Its main differences from DS get for Android are native Apple-platform support and Apple system integrations.
| Area | DS get for Android | Swads |
|---|---|---|
| Apple platforms | Not available | Native interfaces for iPhone, iPad, and Mac |
| Native Mac use | Not available | Mac interface, menu-bar task creation, and keyboard commands |
| Apple device integrations | Not available | Widgets and Dynamic Island support on compatible devices |
| Apple credential and settings storage | Not available | Apple Keychain for saved passwords and iCloud sync for supported NAS settings |
These are Swads features. The downloads themselves still run in Download Station on the Synology NAS.
Core workflows both apps cover
Both apps cover the main remote-management tasks for Download Station. With Swads on an Apple device, you can:
- View Download Station tasks and their status
- Create tasks from supported files or one or more URLs
- Pause, resume, end, or remove tasks when the current task state permits the action
Swads can also show transfer activity and available file, tracker, and peer information, manage settings exposed by Download Station, and switch between multiple saved NAS devices.
Check whether your setup is supported
Swads fits your setup when:
- Your iPhone or iPad runs iOS or iPadOS 18.6 or later, or your Mac runs macOS 15.6 or later
- Your Synology NAS has Download Station installed and enabled
- The DSM account you use has permission to access Download Station
- You can reach the NAS through a QuickConnect ID or a direct IP address or domain
- You use DSM 7, the primary development and testing environment; DSM 3 through DSM 6 have received limited testing
Swads is not available for Android. See the compatibility matrix for the complete requirements and testing scope.
What Swads does not replace
- Download Station: the Synology package still performs the downloads and must be installed from DSM Package Center.
- DSM administration: package installation, account permissions, certificates, and most network configuration remain DSM tasks.
- An official Synology client: Swads is independently developed and is not affiliated with Synology.
- An Android client: Swads is built for Apple platforms.
Install and connect
- Check the system and DSM requirements.
- Install Swads through TestFlight.
- Add your NAS with a QuickConnect ID or a direct address.
- Sign in with a DSM account that has permission to use Download Station.
If the NAS does not connect or the task queue does not load, follow Swads cannot connect to your Synology NAS.
Setup is complete when the NAS is selected, Overview shows Ready, and the Download Station task queue loads.
App updates
Available actions can depend on the Download Station version, task type, and DSM permissions. See the Release Notes for the latest Swads changes.