How to Self-Host Immich Photo Management

What Is Immich?

Immich is a self-hosted photo and video management solution. It provides features similar to Google Photos, including mobile app backup, facial recognition, and intelligent search.

Requirements

• A Breeze with at least 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended for ML features)
• Docker and Docker Compose
• Sufficient storage for photos

Step 1: Download and Configure

mkdir -p /opt/immich && cd /opt/immich
wget -O docker-compose.yml https://github.com/immich-app/immich/releases/latest/download/docker-compose.yml
wget -O .env https://github.com/immich-app/immich/releases/latest/download/example.env

Step 2: Edit the Environment File

nano .env

Set these values:

UPLOAD_LOCATION=/opt/immich/library
DB_PASSWORD=your_secure_password
IMMICH_VERSION=release

Step 3: Start Immich

docker compose up -d

Step 4: Access and Set Up

Visit http://your-server:2283 and create your admin account.

Mobile App

Install the Immich mobile app (iOS/Android). In settings, set the server URL to your instance. Enable automatic backup to sync your photos.

Features

• Automatic photo/video backup from mobile
• Facial recognition and people grouping
• Location-based browsing with maps
• Smart search using AI
• Shared albums and sharing links
• Timeline view with memories
• RAW photo support

Storage Considerations

• Photos average 3-5 MB each
• Videos can be 50-200 MB each
• Plan for 50-100 GB per user minimum
• Consider external storage or mounted volumes