← Back to Use Cases

Remote Access to Your Home NAS (QNAP NAS Example)

Secure remote access to your NAS, zero public internet exposure.

Connect to your home QNAP NAS anywhere via HomiPlay—zero complex setup.

The old way

  1. 1Configure DDNS, a IP, or the router
  2. 2Expose NAS services to the internet
  3. 3Remember addresses, ports, and entry points
  4. 4Reconfigure settings whenever network environments change

With HomiPlay

  1. Deploy HomiPlay on your NAS via Docker
  2. Zero complex network configuration required
  3. Connect directly back to your own NAS from anywhere
  4. Connect to your NAS right from HomiPlay device list
Advanced use case

Work Files and Photos, Always Within Reach

Never worry about leaving critical data behind at home. HomiPlay establishes a secure tunnel directly to your home NAS, allowing you to access files and sign in to the management dashboard anytime via a web browser—no complex setup required.

Prerequisites

  • NAS device that supports Docker with active internet access
  • NAS connected to the internet and running
  • Administrator privileges
  • A registered HomiPlay account

More ways to use it

  • Retrieve work assets at a client site
  • Stream a home media library
  • Back up and organize files while traveling
  • Access self-hosted services running on your NAS simultaneously
  • Securely share access with other HomiPlay account users

Setup Steps

1

Install HomiPlay on the NAS Network

  • Sign in to QNAP QTS, open App Center, then install and launch Container Station.

  • In Container Station, go to Applications > Create on the left menu.

  • Enter an application name : homiplay, paste the Docker Compose configuration below into the YAML editor, and click Create:

text
services:
  homiplay:
    image: ghcr.io/homiplay/homiplay-webserver:${HOMIPLAY_VERSION}
    container_name: homiplay
    restart: unless-stopped
    privileged: true
    network_mode: host
    environment:
      MGMT_PORT_HTTP: "18081"
      NGINX_PORT_HTTP: "18080"
      NGINX_PORT_HTTPS: "18443"
    volumes:
      - homiplay-data:/var/lib/homiplay
      - homiplay-logs:/var/log/homiplay
      - homiplay-nginx-ssl:/etc/nginx/ssl
volumes:
  homiplay-data:
  homiplay-logs:
  homiplay-nginx-ssl:

💡 For more details and advanced options, refer to the official
README Web Server Docker

Step 1 illustration
2

HomiPlay Running Status

Once deployed, verify that the Homiplay container status displays as running in the container list.

Step 2 illustration
3

Login to HomiPlay and Enable Service Ports

  • In your local network, access the HomiPlay dashboard via your browser (https://<NAS_IP>:18443) and sign in to your account.
  • Click Services from the device action menu on the right; the system will automatically scan local ports. Click Edit on your target port to configure its service type (e.g., HTTP/HTTPS) and click Enable to complete the remote entry setup.
Step 3 illustration
4

Open HomiPlay Service Connection on Remote Device

Open HomiPlay on your remote device, find your NAS in the remote device list, click Services in the right-side menu, and enable the target service.

Step 4 illustration
5

Access Your NAS Directly via HomiPlay

The system will open a dedicated connection URL in your browser (or you can directly enter the virtual IP and port, e.g., 10.100.0.3:8080), to load your QNAP login page directly in your browser.

Step 5 illustration

How Remote Access Works

HomiPlay provides a dedicated encrypted connection to your QNAP NAS. Once service ports are enabled, select the NAS service on your remote device to open its sign-in page in a browser.

Other Use Cases

Are your parents stuck on an unfamiliar computer task while you are somewhere else?

Let them approve the connection at their computer, then help from elsewhere without exchanging passwords or leaving permanent access.

Learn More

Keep Your Household Connected, Wherever You Are

Connect through your home network even when you're away, maintaining a consistent network environment.

Learn More

At a hotel tonight and want to keep playing on your PS5 at home?

Connect through your home network, then open PS Remote Play and continue the game.

Learn More

Your AI Agent runs at home—how do you use it safely while away?

Reach OpenClaw and local models without publishing them to the internet.

Learn More

Got home and realized the latest file is still on your office computer?

Open that computer from home and continue where you stopped.

Learn More

Away from your desk with only a phone when a computer task becomes urgent?

Check the remote computer or handle a quick action before you get back.

Learn More

Large media is on another computer—do you really need to upload and download it?

Move it directly between computers without uploading it to the cloud first.

Learn More

Just shot a video on your phone and want to edit it on your computer now?

Send it directly without finding a cable or waiting for a cloud upload.

Learn More

On airport or hotel Wi-Fi and need to sign in to an important account?

Route the connection through your own home network before doing anything private.

Learn More

Securely Share NAS Devices (Synology NAS Example)

Effortlessly share Synology NAS services with other HomiPlay users.

Learn More