Immich is a powerful, self-hosted photo and video backup solution that provides Google Photos-like functionality while giving you complete control over your data. Perfect for privacy-conscious users who want to break free from cloud storage limitations.
๐ธ What is Immich?
Immich is an open-source photo and video backup solution that you can host on your own server or computer. It offers many of the same features as Google Photos but with the added benefits of:
The Self-Hosted Advantage: Complete control over your photos with no subscription fees or privacy concerns.
- Complete data ownership - Your photos never leave your control
- No subscription fees - One-time setup, lifetime use
- Privacy protection - No third-party access to your memories
- Customizable - Modify and extend functionality as needed
โญ Key Features
๐ฑ Cross-Platform Support
- Mobile apps: Native iOS and Android applications
- Web interface: Full-featured browser access
- Desktop sync: Automatic backup from computers
Universal Access: Use Immich from any device, anywhere, with full feature parity.
๐ค AI-Powered Organization
- Face recognition: Automatic face detection and grouping
- Object detection: Find photos by objects, places, activities
- Smart search: Natural language photo queries
- Machine learning: Intelligent photo organization and suggestions
AI Magic: Find photos by describing them in natural language - “photos of my dog at the beach”
๐ผ๏ธ Photo Management
- Timeline view: Chronological photo browsing
- Albums: Create and share photo albums
- Metadata preservation: Maintains EXIF data and timestamps
- Duplicate detection: Automatically identify and manage duplicates
๐ Privacy & Security
- Self-hosted: Your data stays on your infrastructure
- End-to-end encryption: Optional encryption for sensitive photos
- User management: Multi-user support with permission controls
- Backup options: Multiple backup and sync strategies
๐ Integration with iCloud
Immich works seamlessly with iCloud for Windows to provide a comprehensive photo management solution:
The Perfect Workflow: iCloud syncs photos to Windows, then Immich provides self-hosted photo management with AI features.
Import Process
- Import existing photo libraries from iCloud
- Maintain original photo quality and metadata
- Preserve folder structures and organization
- Batch import with progress tracking
Backup Strategy
- Backup photos from multiple sources simultaneously
- Maintain photo metadata and EXIF data integrity
- Support for RAW image formats
- Automatic sync with mobile devices
Workflow Benefits
- Centralized storage: All photos in one secure location
- Cross-platform access: Access from any device
- Automatic organization: AI-powered sorting and tagging
- Easy sharing: Create albums and share with family/friends
Installation Options
Docker Deployment (Recommended)
# Quick start with Docker Compose
git clone https://github.com/immich-app/immich.git
cd immich
docker-compose up -dStandalone Application
- Download from GitHub releases
- Run as a service on your system
- Configure database and storage paths
- Set up reverse proxy for external access
System Requirements
- Minimum: 2GB RAM, 10GB storage
- Recommended: 4GB RAM, 50GB+ storage
- Database: PostgreSQL or SQLite
- Storage: Local or network-attached storage
Advanced Configuration
Performance Optimization
- Configure thumbnail generation settings
- Set up background processing queues
- Optimize database performance
- Configure caching strategies
Security Setup
- Enable HTTPS with SSL certificates
- Configure firewall rules
- Set up user authentication
- Implement backup encryption
Mobile App Setup
- Configure server connection
- Set up automatic backup
- Configure sync preferences
- Enable offline access
Use Cases
Personal Photo Management
- Replace Google Photos with self-hosted alternative
- Maintain privacy while enjoying modern features
- Create family photo libraries
- Organize travel and event photos
Professional Photography
- Store and organize client photos
- Maintain high-resolution originals
- Create client galleries
- Manage photo metadata and keywords
Family Sharing
- Share photos with family members
- Create collaborative albums
- Set up automatic backup for multiple devices
- Maintain family photo history
Getting Started
- Choose your deployment method (Docker recommended)
- Set up storage location for your photos
- Configure database (PostgreSQL for production)
- Install mobile apps and connect to your server
- Import existing photos from iCloud or other sources
- Configure automatic backup for ongoing photo management
Conclusion
Immich provides a powerful, privacy-focused alternative to commercial photo storage services. With its AI-powered features, cross-platform support, and self-hosted architecture, it’s an excellent choice for users who want to maintain control over their digital memories while enjoying modern photo management capabilities.
The combination of Immich with iCloud for Windows creates a comprehensive photo management solution that gives you the best of both worlds: the convenience of cloud sync with the privacy and control of self-hosted storage.