Better DS Get

A modern, fast, and stable mobile client for Synology's Download Station, built with React Native and Expo.

View Changelog

Why "Better"?

Original Synology "DS Get" app suffered from several issues:

• Connectivity: Frequent logouts and session timeouts.
• Search: For search prompts that were too broad, the app would just log you out, breaking the search flow.

Features

• Connect to your Synology NAS: Supports generic DSM connections to local network using HTTPS and HTTP, and QuickConnect IDs.
• Integrated BT Search: Search directly from the app using all search engines configured on your NAS. Results are persistent and update in the background. Per-engine progress is shown in an expandable status panel with individual engine status and result counts. Results are sortable by Seeds or Size (toggleable direction).
• Manage Download Tasks: View, pause, resume, and delete tasks with real-time progress updates (5s auto-refresh on detail screen).
• Add New Tasks:
  • One-tap addition from search results.
  • Submit Magnet links / URLs — the app intercepts links directly from the browser.
  • Upload .torrent files directly from your phone.
  • Dynamic Destination Selection: Choose specific download folders and use Recent Folders for 1-tap quick access.
  • Selective Download: Choose individual files before adding a torrent to the queue.
• View Task Details: Browse files inside BitTorrent tasks, check transfer speeds, Time Left (ETA), and set file priorities (skip/unskip files). All task stats are shown in a single merged Info tab.
• Advanced Tracker Info: Expose tracker geolocation flags, protocol security badges (UDP/HTTPS/HTTP), and performance metrics.
• Technical Transparency: Use the "Connection Info" overlay to see resolved IPs, protocol security, API counts, and session status.
• Smart Persistence: Remembers your URL, account, and password for instant re-logging. Supports "Soft Logout" to switch accounts without wiping settings.
• Stable Background Session: Periodic NAS pings keep your session alive for as long as you need.
• MFA / 2FA Support: OTP code field appears on-demand after the server requests it, matching the original DS Get login flow.
• Smart Foreground & Background Tracking: Live 3-second speedometer notifications for active downloads, plus 15-minute background polling for finished/error tasks when closed.
• About Screen: App version, author, and contact email link, with a bespoke new app icon.
• Platform Integrity: Full support for Android hardware back button (modal dismissal and app exit logic).

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js LTS
• Yarn or npm
• Expo Go app on your device (or an emulator)

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/antimirov/better_ds_get.git
   cd better_ds_get

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the Expo development server:

   npx expo start

4. Scan the QR code with your camera (iOS) or the Expo Go app (Android) to load the app on your device.

Roadmap

• Implement torrent searching using configured engines.
• Support for QuickConnect and HTTPS.
• Individual file priority management.
• v1.1.0 Release (Search, QuickConnect, Password Persistence).
• Support for selecting destination directory before adding a new torrent.
• Add progress bar to each download item in the main window.
• Add country flags to peers and trackers based on IP geolocation.
• Implement Android hardware back button support for all modals.
• v1.2.0 Release (Trackers, Android UX, Layout Optimization, Selective Download, Real-time Stats).
• Add Intent Filter for magnet links and .torrent files.
• v1.3.0 Release (Intent Filters, Deep Linking, Safe Content Handlers).
• Merge General + Transfer tabs into a single Info tab.
• Add About section to Settings.
• MFA/OTP on-demand login flow.
• Fix search polling race condition.
• Add expandable per-engine search status panel.
• Add sortable search results (Seeds / Size with direction toggle).
• Fix repeated-search degradation (cleanup race condition).
• v1.4.0 Release (UX Polish, Search Fixes, Engine Status Panel, Sortable Results, Smart Foreground Tracking, Custom Icon).
• Add a "Remember Me" checkbox to the login screen.
• Dark mode - ability to switch to light theme.

License

This project is open-source. Please see the LICENSE file for details.