Synology NAS text alerts: email-to-SMS setup
Synology DSM can email alerts for degraded volumes, failed drives, backups, and power events. Point those notification emails at your EmailToTxt address and each one arrives as a text within seconds.
What you’ll need
- An EmailToTxt account and an endpoint (created in step 1).
- A mailbox for the device to send from — a free Gmail/Outlook account with an app password works.
- Access to your Synology NAS settings (web interface, app, or local console).
- The phone number(s) that should receive the texts.
- 1
Create your EmailToTxt endpoint
In your EmailToTxt dashboard, add an endpoint and choose the “generic” template. EmailToTxt generates a unique inbound address for it, like
server-room-a1b2c@alerts.emailtotxt.com. - 2
Set up an email account to send from
EmailToTxt receives your alert emails, but your device still needs a mailbox to send from. The simplest option is a free, dedicated Gmail or Outlook account with an app password — most NVRs can’t do modern sign-in, and an app password works around that. You only set this up once and can reuse the same sending account across every recorder and endpoint.
Provider SMTP server SSL port STARTTLS port Gmail smtp.gmail.com 465 587 Outlook.com smtp-mail.outlook.com — 587 Microsoft 365 smtp.office365.com — 587 Yahoo Mail smtp.mail.yahoo.com 465 587 Tip: turn on 2-Step Verification for the account, then generate an app password and use that 16-character value as the SMTP password — typed without the spaces Google shows (they’re display-only, and some recorders reject them). Use the account’s full email address as the user name. - 3
Configure Synology NAS email (SMTP) settings
DSM: Control Panel → Notification → Email tab.
- Choose a service provider or "Custom SMTP server" — e.g. smtp.gmail.com with port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS) and authentication on.
- Use an app password for Gmail/Outlook accounts with 2FA (regular passwords are rejected).
- Set the recipient address to your EmailToTxt endpoint, then use "Send a test email" to confirm delivery.
- 4
Turn on email for the events you want texted
Control Panel → Notification → Rules tab — tick the events that should email (storage degradation, drive failure, backup results, UPS/power, security).
- Start with critical-only (volume/drive/power) so routine events don't consume texts.
- 5
Set the recipient to your EmailToTxt address and send a test
Set the device’s recipient/receiver to your EmailToTxt endpoint address, then use the built-in Test button (or trigger a test event). The email should reach EmailToTxt within seconds — you’ll see it appear in your Activity log.
- 6
Add phone numbers and confirm delivery
In EmailToTxt, open the endpoint and add the phone numbers that should receive alerts in E.164 format (for example
+15555550123). Trigger a real event and watch the Activity tab — each alert is logged as received → parsed → sent. Recipients can reply STOP to opt out anytime.
Tips for Synology NAS
- Surveillance Station and Hyper Backup have their own notification toggles layered on top of the system rules — check both if an event isn't emailing.
What the text looks like
EmailToTxt reads the alert emails Synology NAS sends and pulls out the event and key details, so your phone gets a single clean line instead of a full email.
The alert email
Subject: Volume 1 on DS920 has degraded
Dear user, Volume 1 on DS920 has entered degraded mode. Please check the status.
The text you receive
EmailToTxt
Delivered · now
Synology NAS text alerts: FAQ
- Why does my Synology test email fail with Gmail?
- Almost always the password: Google requires an app password (Google Account → Security → App passwords) for SMTP, not your normal login. Also confirm port 465 with SSL or 587 with STARTTLS.
- Which Synology events should I text?
- The ones you'd get out of bed for: volume degraded, drive failure or S.M.A.R.T. warnings, UPS/power events, and failed backups. Leave informational events (successful backups, updates) as email-only so they don't use your monthly texts.
Other setup guides
Ready to text your Synology NAS alerts?
Create an endpoint, paste the address into your recorder, add your number.