Self-hosting my photos with Immich (michael.stapelberg.ch)

Article summary

The author describes their experience self-hosting their photos with Immich, a self-hostable photo manager, after Google restricted OAuth scopes for Google Photos. They outline the steps to set up Immich on a mini PC, including installing the software, importing photos, and setting up the iPhone app. The author also discusses the benefits and limitations of using Immich, including its speed and ease of use. They also mention some missing features, such as photo editing and better sharing options.

Main themes

• Self-hosting photos
• Immich setup and configuration
• Google Photos alternative
• Photo management and sharing
• Security and privacy concerns
• Home server and networking

What commenters say

• Some users have successfully set up Immich on low-power devices, such as the NanoPi R6C, and use Cloudflare tunnels to access their photos remotely.
• There are concerns about the security risks of self-hosting photos, including the potential for data theft or vulnerability to attacks, but some users argue that proper setup and maintenance can mitigate these risks.
• Immich's face recognition and object search features are seen as superior to Google Photos by some users, while others find them lacking, particularly in terms of handling non-European faces and aging individuals.
• The ability to share photos and albums with others is an important feature for some users, and Immich's current implementation is seen as limited, but upcoming features such as workflows may address these concerns.
• Some users appreciate the control and customization options offered by self-hosting their photos, while others prefer the convenience and security of cloud-based services like Google Photos.
• The initial setup and configuration of Immich can be challenging, particularly for novice users, but the community provides helpful resources and support to overcome these hurdles.