DS File vs DS Finder: Which Synology App Does What?

You need the right tools to manage a Synology NAS well, especially when you have to do it on mobile devices. Synology has two important mobile apps that people often mix up: DS File and DS Finder. They both connect to your NAS, but they do very different things. IT teams, business owners, and enterprise users can improve workflows, data governance, and mobile access to important files and system controls by knowing these differences.

This guide tells you what each app does, when to use it, and how Epis Technology helps businesses set up both tools in a safe, scalable Synology environment.

What is DS File?

Synology’s DS File is a mobile app just for managing files. It works like a mobile version of File Station for people who need safe, remote access to NAS files and structured data repositories.

Main Functions of DS File

Access and browse files from a distance
People can open, preview, move, copy, rename, and delete files right from their Synology NAS.

Backups and uploads from mobile devices
DS File lets you upload photos and documents from your phone without using your hands. This is useful for field teams or remote workers who need to sync in real time.

Sharing Files Safely
Send links to secure files, set permissions, or make URLs that can be shared. This is useful for teams that work together across departments or regions.

Integrating versioning and backup
Works with Synology’s permission system and lets you access versioned files stored in Hyper Backup or Synology Drive.

Who Should Use DS File?

• Employees who need to get to project files or shared folders
• People who work from home syncing files or media
• Teams that manage business processes while on the go
• Companies that enforce policies on who can access files

DS File is a user tool, not an administrative one. It’s great for everyday file tasks but not for more advanced NAS setup.

What is the DS Finder?

DS Finder is a system administration tool that makes it easy to find, monitor, and manage NAS devices from a distance. This app is different from DS File because it focuses on tasks at the device level, which makes it a must-have for IT teams.

Main Functions of DS Finder

Monitoring the NAS System
Check the CPU load, memory usage, storage health, and important system alerts.

Setting Up and Quickly Managing Devices
You can set up QuickConnect, start a new NAS, update DSM, or change basic system settings right from your phone.

Notifications that pop up
Get alerts in real time for:

• Drives that failed
• A lot of CPU use
• Backup stops
• Warnings about security

Managing Users and Services
You can make user accounts, turn on services, restart the NAS, or do maintenance tasks from afar.

Who Should Use DS Finder?

• IT managers in charge of more than one Synology NAS unit
• Companies that run Synology deployments on multiple sites or in the cloud
• Companies that use cloud backup, replication, or business continuity workflows
• Anyone who needs to see their infrastructure on the go

DS Finder is a tool for system oversight and monitoring that is only useful to admins. It doesn’t help with file interactions.

Most businesses benefit from using both

If you want to do the following, use DS File:

• Safe access to documents on mobile devices
• Making it easier to find files and work together from afar
• Helping field teams who need to upload things in real time
• Giving employees limited access to shared resources

If your goal is to:

• Alerts and monitoring for the system right away
• Managing your Synology infrastructure from a distance
• Enterprise deployments with oversight across multiple sites
• Making sure uptime, security, and readiness for business

Businesses that have to follow rules like HIPAA, GDPR, SOC2, financial auditing, and others can get a lot of use out of DS File for controlled access and DS Finder for real-time oversight and infrastructure assurance.

How Epis Technology Makes DS File and DS Finder More Useful

Epis Technology makes sure that businesses get the most out of Synology’s mobile ecosystem by offering:

1. Safe integration of cloud and hybrid backups

• Backups for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
• Backups for PCs and NAS that are fully managed
• Backups that can’t be changed and storage that can’t be hacked by ransomware
  With DS Finder alerts, backup failures will never go unnoticed.

2. Setting up Synology for businesses

• Design of user permissions
• Planning the structure of folders
• Policies for controlling access on mobile devices
  These make sure that DS File works in a safe, controlled space.

3. Improving performance and keeping an eye on things 24/7

Epis Technology sets up proactive alerting and monitoring workflows so that DS Finder can be used to keep systems running and reliable.

4. Infrastructure for multiple NAS systems that can grow

Epis Technology builds for businesses that are growing internationally or have multiple locations:

• Big storage clusters
• Replication across multiple sites
• Models for centralized administration

These make sure that DS File and DS Finder work perfectly in distributed environments.

Epis Technology is a company that

Epis Technology offers cloud backup solutions, data protection services, enterprise-level IT infrastructure, and Synology deployment. Epis Technology helps businesses build secure, efficient, and future-ready data environments by specializing in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backups, scalable storage systems, fully managed PC backups, and Synology consulting.