Writer Ditches Google Photos for Self-Hosted Alternative

A writer decided to leave Google Photos and move their 270GB photo library to a self-hosted solution, Immich. They were concerned about relying on cloud storage and wanted more control over their data.

The setup process for Immich was surprisingly simple, requiring only the installation of a Docker container and pointing it at a folder. The writer was impressed by how easily Immich imported their photos and videos, arranging them in a familiar interface.

Immich matched two out of three of Google Photos' key features: search by description and face recognition. However, it lacked the third feature, which stitches old photos and videos into highlight reels.