Setting Up Navidrome with Docker

Alright, you’ve got Ubuntu installed and running smoothly. Now comes the exciting part - turning your server into an actual music streaming powerhouse. We’re going to install Navidrome, and I’m going to show you exactly how to do it the right way.

What is Navidrome?

Navidrome is lightweight, open-source music streaming server that actually understands music collectors. Unlike Spotify’s algorithm-driven approach, Navidrome respects your music organization and gives you complete control over your listening experience.

Here’s what makes it awesome:

Subsonic-compatible - Works with tons of mobile apps
Web interface - Stream from any browser
Fast and lightweight - Perfect for our setup
Respects your organization - Your folders become playlists
No phone-home nonsense - Your music stays on your server

Why Docker? (For the Newbies)

Before we dive in, let me explain why we’re using Docker instead of just installing Navidrome directly.

Think of Docker as a shipping container for software. Just like how shipping containers work the same way whether they’re on a truck, train, or ship, Docker containers work the same way on any Linux system.

Why this matters for us:

Consistency - Navidrome will work exactly the same way every time
Easy updates - Pull new version, restart container, done
Clean uninstalls - Don’t like it? Delete the container, no traces left
Isolation - If something breaks, it won’t mess up your whole system
Reproducible - Share your config with others, they get identical setup

It’s like having a perfect installation recipe that works every single time.

Step 1: Prepare Your Music Library

Before we install anything, let’s get your music organized. You need somewhere to put your music files where Navidrome can find them.

Create Your Music Directory

Let’s keep this simple and put your music in your home directory - no need for system-wide /mnt paths that require sudo permissions.

# Create a directory for your music in your home folder
mkdir -p ~/music

# Create some basic structure
mkdir -p ~/music/Artists

# Check it was created
ls -la ~/music

Get Some Music On There

You need to get your music files onto the server. Here are a few ways to do it:

Option 1: Copy from another computer over SSH

# From your local machine (replace paths, user and IP as needed)
scp -r "/path/to/your/music/folder" $USER@192.168.1.100:~/music/

Option 2: Use a USB drive

# Plug in USB drive, then mount it
sudo mkdir /mnt/usb
sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/usb

# Copy music files (using $USER variable so you can copy-paste)
sudo cp -r /mnt/usb/Music/* ~/music/
sudo chown -R $USER:$USER ~/music/

# Unmount when done
sudo umount /mnt/usb

Step 2: Create Your Docker Compose Configuration

Docker Compose lets us define our entire setup in a simple text file. Create a directory for your Navidrome setup:

# Create directory for Navidrome
mkdir -p ~/navidrome
cd ~/navidrome

# Create the docker-compose.yml file
nano docker-compose.yml

Now paste this configuration into the file:

services:
  navidrome:
    image: deluan/navidrome:latest
    container_name: navidrome
    ports:
      - "4533:4533"
    environment:
      - ND_ENABLESHARING=true
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - "./data:/data"
      - "${HOME}/music:/music:ro"

  airsonic-refix:
    ports:
      - "23880:80"
    image: tamland/airsonic-refix:latest
    container_name: airsonic
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - SERVER_URL=http://localhost:4533

Note: This configuration uses ${HOME} and $USER variables so you can copy-paste these commands without having to replace your username everywhere.

Let me explain what this does:

Navidrome container:

image: deluan/navidrome:latest - Uses the official Navidrome Docker image
ports: "4533:4533" - Makes Navidrome available on port 4533
ND_ENABLESHARING=true - Lets you share music with others
"${HOME}/music:/music:ro" - Maps your music folder (using $HOME variable so it works for any user)
restart: unless-stopped - Automatically restarts if it crashes

Airsonic Refix container:

This is an alternative web interface for Navidrome that looks way better
ports: "23880:80" - Available on port 23880
Uses the same Navidrome backend, just prettier frontend

Save the file (Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter).

Step 3: Start Everything Up

Time to fire up your music server:

# Make sure you're in the navidrome directory
cd ~/navidrome

# Start the containers
docker compose up -d

# Check if everything is running
docker compose ps

You should see both containers running. If something’s wrong, check the logs:

# Check Navidrome logs
docker compose logs navidrome

# Check Airsonic logs
docker compose logs airsonic-refix

Step 4: Access Your Music Server

If everything worked, you now have two ways to access your music:

Navidrome (original interface): Open your browser and go to: http://your-server-ip:4533

Airsonic Refix (prettier interface): Open your browser and go to: http://your-server-ip:23880

When you first access Navidrome, it will ask you to create your admin account. This is actually better than having default credentials - you set up your own secure login right from the start.

Create your admin account:
- Choose a username (doesn’t have to be “admin”)
- Set a strong password
- This becomes your main administrator account

For Airsonic Refix: Use the same Navidrome credentials you just created

Step 5: Initial Setup

Configure Your Music Library

Navidrome should automatically scan your ~/music folder. If it doesn’t find your music:

Go to Settings → Library
Check that the music folder path is correct
Click “Full Rescan” if needed

Test Your Setup

Browse your music collection
Try playing a song
Test both the Navidrome and Airsonic interfaces
See which one you prefer (I personally love Airsonic Refix)

Step 6: Mobile Access

The beauty of Navidrome is that it works with tons of mobile apps:

Android:

Symfonium (my favorite)
DSub
Tempo

iOS:

play:Sub
Amperfy
flo

More: more Navidrom Apps

Just point any Subsonic-compatible app to:

Server: http://your-server-ip:4533
Username/Password: Your Navidrome credentials

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Can’t access the web interface?

Check if the containers are running: docker compose ps
Make sure the firewall allows the ports: sudo ufw allow 4533 and sudo ufw allow 23880
Verify your server’s IP address: ip addr show

No music showing up?

Check file permissions: ls -la ~/music
Make sure your music files are in common formats (MP3, FLAC, M4A)
Try a manual rescan in Settings → Library

Managing Your Server

Useful Docker Commands

# View running containers
docker compose ps

# View logs
docker compose logs -f navidrome

# Restart everything
docker compose restart

# Stop everything
docker compose down

# Update to latest versions
docker compose pull && docker compose up -d

Updating Navidrome

When new versions come out:

cd ~/navidrome
docker compose pull
docker compose up -d --force-recreate

Docker will automatically download the new version and restart your containers.

Next Steps

You now have a fully functional music streaming server! But we’re not done yet. In upcoming posts, I’ll cover:

Advanced Navidrome configuration - Playlists, users, and sharing
Setting up external access - Stream your music from anywhere
Backup strategies - Protecting your setup and music
Music library management - Using Beets for perfect organization
Mobile app recommendations - The best clients for your phone

Congratulations - you’re now streaming your own music, on your own terms, with your own server. No algorithms, no ads, no corporate oversight. Just your music, the way you want it.

Welcome to the world of self-hosted music streaming!

# Setting Up Navidrome with Docker