Navidrome is a lightweight, self-hosted music streaming server — giving you a Spotify-like interface for your own personal music library, accessible from any device via a web browser or compatible mobile app.
Prerequisites
- Ubuntu 22.04/24.04 VPS: 1-2 vCPU, 1-2 GB RAM (very lightweight)
- Your music library, either on the server or accessible via network storage
Step 1 — Run Navidrome with Docker
docker run -d \
--name navidrome \
--restart unless-stopped \
-p 4533:4533 \
-v navidrome-data:/data \
-v /path/to/your/music:/music:ro \
-e ND_SCANSCHEDULE=1h \
deluan/navidrome:latest
:ro mounts your music library read-only, ensuring Navidrome can't accidentally modify your original files.
Step 2 — Access the Web Interface
http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:4533
Step 3 — Create Your Account
The first account created becomes the administrator.
Step 4 — Wait for the Initial Library Scan
Navidrome scans your music directory and builds its library, including reading embedded metadata (artist, album, genre) from your audio files.
Step 5 — Add HTTPS
See How to Install Nginx Proxy Manager with Docker to route a domain to port 4533 with SSL.
Organizing Your Music Library for Best Results
Navidrome works best with well-tagged files (proper ID3 tags for artist, album, track number) — consider a music tagging tool to clean up metadata if your library has inconsistent tagging before importing.
Using the Subsonic-Compatible API
Navidrome implements the widely-supported Subsonic API, meaning many existing third-party mobile and desktop music player apps (built for Subsonic-compatible servers) work directly with Navidrome without needing a Navidrome-specific app.
Creating Playlists
Build and save playlists directly through the web interface, or via any connected Subsonic-compatible client app.
Adding Additional Users
Under Settings → User Management, create accounts for family members, each with their own independent playback history and playlists.
Backing Up Navidrome
docker run --rm -v navidrome_navidrome-data:/data -v $(pwd):/backup alpine tar czf /backup/navidrome-backup.tar.gz /data
Your actual music files should be backed up separately as part of your normal file backup strategy — this backs up only Navidrome's database (playlists, play history, user accounts).
Common Errors
Library scan finds no music — verify the volume mount path correctly points to your actual music directory, and that file permissions allow the container to read the files.
Missing album art — verify your music files have embedded artwork, or place a cover.jpg file in each album's folder as a fallback.
Continue Reading
- How to Install Icecast for Internet Radio Streaming
- How to Install Docker Compose on Ubuntu & Debian
- How to Install Nginx Proxy Manager with Docker
Browse more articles in Media & Streaming Servers.