TrueNAS AppsTrueNAS Apps: Tutorials
Application maintenance is independent from TrueNAS version release cycles.
App versions, features, options, and installation behavior at time of access might vary from documented tutorials and UI reference.

TrueNAS Apps

TrueNAS applications allow for quick and easy integration of third-party software and TrueNAS. The TrueNAS applications backend changed in 24.10 to Docker images managed with Docker Compose. Earlier TrueNAS releases operated with Kubernetes K3 and Helm providing containers for applications. For more information on this change refer to the 24.10 Release Notes.

TrueNAS applications expand system functionality far beyond what is typically expected from a NAS.

Applications are provided “as-is” and can introduce system stability or security issues when installed. Make sure the application is required for your specific use requirements and does not violate your security policies before installation.

This article covers how to set up the TrueNAS Apps service, configure global settings, and other general information. For details on discovering, installing, and managing applications, see Managing Apps and individual app tutorials.

We welcome community contributions to keep this documentation current! Click Edit Page in the top right corner to propose changes to this article. See Updating Content for more information.

Setting Up the Apps Service

You must choose a pool before you can install an application. See Choosing the Apps Pool below for more information about apps pool selection.

As of 24.10, TrueNAS apps use Docker containers and Docker Compose for deployment. Docker is an open-source software that manages images and container deployments.

The default system-level settings are found in Apps > Settings.

For more information on screens and screen functions, refer to the UI Reference article on Apps Screens.

Use the Configuration dropdown to access the Choose Pool, Unset Pool, Manage Container Images, and Settings options.

Choosing the Apps Pool

You are prompted to select the pool for apps the first time you click on Apps. You can exit out of this if you are not ready to deploy apps or do not have a pool configured for apps to use for storage. You must set the pool before you can add any application.

Select the pool and click Save. If you close the dialog to set the pool later, click Configuration > Choose Pool to set the pool.

Choosing a Pool for Apps
Figure 1: Choosing a Pool for Apps

We recommend users keep the container use case in mind when choosing an applications pool. Select a pool with enough space for all the application containers you intend to use.

For app stability and performance, we recommend using SSD storage for the apps pool due to their faster speed and resilience for repeated read/writes.

TrueNAS 24.10 and newer creates a hidden ix-apps dataset on the apps pool and mounts the hidden directory at /mnt/.ix-apps. The ix-apps dataset does not inherit encryption if an encrypted pool is selected as the pool for applications.

See Understanding App Storage Volumes for more information about the ix-apps dataset and other app data storage volumes.

Unsetting the Apps Pool

To select a different pool for apps to use, click Configuration > Unset Pool. This turns off the apps service until you choose another pool for apps to use.

Managing Container Images

Signing In to a Docker Registry

To sign in to a Docker registry, click Configuration > Sign-in to a Docker registry to go to the Docker Registries screen.

Docker Registries Screen
Figure 2: Docker Registries Screen

Signing in to a registry, such as Docker Hub, is not required but allows you to avoid rate limiting issues or connect to a private registry.

Click Add Registry to open the Create Docker Registry panel.

Create Docker Registry - Docker Hub
Figure 3: Create Docker Registry - Docker Hub

Use the URI dropdown to select the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) type for the registry. Options are Docker Hub or Other Registry. The URI dropdown is hidden when a Docker Hub registry record is already configured.

To sign in to Docker Hub, enter the user name and password of an existing Docker Hub account.

To sign in to another registry, select Other Registry from the dropdown or click Add Registry again after signing in to Docker Hub.

Create Docker Registry - Other Registry
Figure 4: Create Docker Registry - Other Registry

Enter a valid Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) for the registry, for example https://index.docker.io/v1/. Then enter a display name for the registry record in TrueNAS.

Enter the user name and password of an existing account on the registry.

Click Save to sign in and create the registry record.

Configuring Global Settings

Click Configuration > Settings to open the Settings screen, which contains options for setting app trains, configuring app networking, installing NVIDIA drivers (if compatible hardware is present), and allowing TrueNAS to monitor for Docker image updates.

Apps Settings Screen
Figure 5: Apps Settings Screen

Managing Application Catalogs

TrueNAS applications are available in three catalogs (trains):

Enterprise

Applications validated by TrueNAS Engineering for Enterprise deployment on TrueNAS Enterprise-licensed systems.

These applications receive either Enterprise Deployment Support or full Enterprise Application Support from the TrueNAS Support team.

Stable

Applications tested by the TrueNAS Engineering team and chosen based on their functionality and integration with TrueNAS.

TrueNAS Engineering can provide software maintenance for these applications, but the TrueNAS Support team does not offer continual support. Issues for these applications are tracked separately and addressed on a best-effort basis in the community forums and other user-driven resources.

Community

Applications proposed and maintained by the TrueNAS community without official TrueNAS support.

Issues for these applications are tracked separately and addressed on a best-effort basis in the community forums and other user-driven resources.

Some apps proposed by community members might be adopted as official Stable train apps.

See App Support Definitions for more information on application support levels.

TrueNAS Community Edition systems populate the Discover apps screen with the Stable and Community catalogs populate by default. TrueNAS Enterprise-licensed systems show the Enterprise catalog.

Users can change the apps displayed on the Discover screen by adding or removing trains. To add or remove a train, Settings on the Configuration dropdown list to open the Settings screen.

Select the Preferred Trains checkbox(es) for the train(s) to include, then click Save.

After making a change, go to the Discover screen and click on Refresh Catalog to pull the catalog from the repository and refresh it in TrueNAS.

To remove a train from the catalog, deselect the checkbox for the train on the Settings screen, then click Save. You must have at least one train selected.

Apps Network Settings

Go to Apps > Installed, click Configuration, and select Settings.

To add another range of IP addresses, click Add to the right of Address Pools, then select a range from the dropdown list of options, and enter the desired value in Size.

Base shows the default IP address and subnet, and Size shows the network size of each docker network that is cut off from the base subnet.

This setting replaces the Kubernetes Settings option for Bind Network in 24.04 and earlier. Use to resolve issues where apps experience issues where TrueNAS device is not reachable from some networks. Select the network option, or add additional options to resolve the network connection issues.

Give special consideration when TrueNAS is installed in a VM, as VMs are not configured to use HTTPS.

Enabling HTTPS redirect can interfere with the accessibility of some apps. To determine if the HTTPS redirect is active, go to System > General Settings > GUI > Settings and locate the Web Interface HTTP -> HTTPS Redirect checkbox.

To disable HTTPS redirects, clear the checkbox and click Save, then clear the browser cache before attempting to connect to the app again.

App Directory Services

TrueNAS allows configuring an Active Directory or LDAP server to handle authentication and authorization services, domain, and other account settings. Identify your existing Kerberos realm and keytab information. You might need to supply your LDAP server host name, LDAP server base and bind distinguished names (DN), and the bind password.

TrueNAS is configured with default port numbers, but you can change these. Before making a port number change, refer to the Default Ports for a list of used and available ports before changing default port assignments.

TrueNAS Support can assist Enterprise customers with configuring directory service settings in TrueNAS with the information customers provide, but they do not configure customer Active Directory system settings.

Installing NVIDIA Drivers

Beginning in TrueNAS 24.10, NVIDIA drivers are no longer automatically installed. Users must manually install drivers from the TrueNAS UI.

If running TrueNAS 24.10 or higher:

  1. Go to Apps > Installed and click on the Configuration.

  2. Click on Settings to open the Settings configuration screen.

  3. Select Install NVIDIA Drivers, which is available to users with compatible GPUs.

  4. Select Install NVIDIA Drivers, and click Save.

Monitoring for Image Updates

Select Check for docker image updates (selected by default) to enable TrueNAS to periodically check for Docker image updates. This applies to all Docker images present on the system for either catalog or custom applications. Disable to prevent TrueNAS from monitoring for upstream image updates.

App Support Definitions

TrueNAS offers three distinct classes of support for applications, each tailored to provide varying levels of assistance depending on the specific needs and requirements.
This policy outlines the support structure for applications on TrueNAS.
Users should review these definitions carefully and consult with their support channels if they have specific questions about the level of support applicable to their applications.

Community Support

Definition: Applications classified under this tier receive no formal support from TrueNAS official support channels.

Scope: Issues related to these applications are tracked separately and addressed on a best-effort basis through community forums and user-driven resources. There is no guaranteed resolution timeframe.

Examples: Plex, Tailscale, Jellyfin, NextCloud, and any App available from the Stable or Community trains.

Enterprise Deployment Support

Definition: Applications listed in the TrueNAS Enterprise Catalog are supported for application deployment and issues related to the TrueNAS application framework.

Scope: The TrueNAS Support team includes guidance on the initial deployment and setup of the application within the TrueNAS environment. This is limited to App store configuration, vendor-provided updates, and basic troubleshooting.

This tier does not cover ongoing maintenance or troubleshooting beyond the initial deployment phase or TrueNAS standard configuration. It does not cover functionality, compatibility, or performance issues internal to the application itself.

Examples: Minio, Asigra.

Enterprise Application Support

Definition: Applications in this category are fully supported by both the TrueNAS Support and Development teams.

Scope: Comprehensive assistance is provided for troubleshooting, bug fixes, compatibility issues, and integration with new system features. Regular updates and maintenance are included to ensure optimal performance and functionality.

Examples: Syncthing, Remote Assistance.

Apps Contents

  • Managing Apps: Provides information on discovering, installing, and managing applications in TrueNAS.

  • Enterprise Apps: Tutorials for using TrueNAS applications in an Enterprise-licensed deployment.

  • Stable Apps: Notes about TrueNAS stable train applications and individual tutorials for these applications.

  • Community Apps: Notes about community-maintained applications and individual tutorials for those applications.

  • Securing Apps: Securing TrueNAS applications with VPNs and Zero Trust.

  • Installing Custom Applications: Provides information on installing and configuring custom or third-party applications in TrueNAS.

  • Sandboxes (Jail-like Containers): Provides advanced users information on deploying custom FreeBSD jail-like containers in TrueNAS.