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Immich Docker Compose: Easy 2026 Setup Guide for Self-Hosted Photos

immich docker compose

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When you take pictures with your smartphone, those pictures become memories. However, entrusting all of them to a large cloud company may not feel very good for you. Wait, we are going to have Immich Docker Compose.

What if you could have your own private Google Photos-like experience on your server without being sold ads, having your data tracked, or having to worry about other people accessing your pictures? That’s why Immich exists.

In this article, we will go over how to find the latest version of Immich for Docker Compose, how to create a Docker Compose environment file for Immich, and provide a step-by-step guide to correctly configuring the Immich Docker Compose volumes to keep your pictures securely-saved.

Let’s create your own secure photo cloud!

What Is Immich?

Immich is a fully-featured open-source platform for backing up your photos and videos to your own server. It includes:

  • Automatic mobile uploads of your pictures
  • AI-Based Image Searching
  • Facial Recognition
  • A Timeline View of your pictures
  • Ability to create albums and share them with friends/family.

Immich uses Docker that allows easy and clean deployment.

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Overview of Immich’s Docker Compose

When you execute the command Docker Compose Immich, you’re starting several services at once:

  • Immich Server
  • PostgreSQL Database
  • Redis
  • Machine Learning Service

At the same time, Docker Compose automatically connects all of the services together.

Current Immich Version for Docker Compose Env File

Immich updates regularly. In your .env file, you typically define:

IMMICH_VERSION=release

The current immich version for docker compose env file usually points to:

  • release for stable
  • latest for newest builds
  • specific version tag like v1.xx.x

Best practice is to:

  • check Immich GitHub releases
  • lock to a specific version for production
  • test updates before upgrading

Using a fixed version prevents unexpected breaking changes.

An Easy-Step Plan for an Immich Deploying with Docker Compose

Step 1- Install Docker on your machine

Step 2- Install Docker Compose on your machine

Step 3- Download the official Immich docker compose file to your machine

Step 4 – Create an.env file in the same location you downloaded the Immich docker compose file to

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Step 5- Set the correct version of the Immich docker compose and the postgresql database passwords used in the .env file

Step 6- Configure volumes in the .env file as necessary

Step 7- Execute docker compose

docker compose up -d

Performance Recommendations When Using Immich With Docker Compose

If you have a lot of photos to save:

  • Use SSD storage
  • Allocate 4GB+ Memory (RAM)
  • Enable hardware acceleration, if applicable
  • Configure Swap Space using Docker
  • Regularly Optimize Your Database

Your hardware matters if you intend to process thousands of photos through Immich.

Security Tips If Running Immich Publicly

  • Use HTTPS
  • Secure Ports (i.e., open only the necessary)
  • Change Default Passwords On All Systems
  • Limit Database Exposure
  • Use Firewall Rules To Restrict External Access
  • Not Recommended To Run Without SSL.

Docker Compose Immich Volumes (Critical for Data Safety)

Your photos must never be lost. Volumes are essential.

Why Volumes Matter

If you do not configure volumes correctly:

  • uploads disappear on container restart
  • database resets
  • thumbnails get deleted

That is dangerous for real data.

Recommended Volume Structure

volumes:
  - ./library:/usr/src/app/upload
  - pgdata:/var/lib/postgresql/data

What Each Volume Does

VolumePurpose
upload/libraryStores original photos and videos
pgdataStores database records
redis dataCaching layer
machine learning cacheAI processing data

Always store volumes outside temporary directories.

Using CyberPanel for Immich Deployment on VPS

cyberpanel-home

CyberPanel is a free and open-source web hosting control panel powered by OpneLiteSpeed. It helps with your VPS server at the infrastructure level if you run Immich as a VPS.

CyberPanel’s scope includes the following:

  • maintain the domain name (DNS) records
  • configure the firewall
  • create SSL certificates
  • Review the server for load
  • configure reverse proxy settings

CyberPanel will manage the entire server; meanwhile, the actual Immich runs inside Docker.

Together, CyberPanel and Immich provide:

  • application level control over the containers
  • infrastructure control at the server

This combination will help you to maintain the stability and security of your photo cloud.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not mapping the uploads to the volume
  • Not locking down the version number in the env file
  • Posting a public database for everybody to see
  • Not using strong passwords
  • Not having a backup plan

Always test your backups before you put anything of value into them.

Should You Use Docker Compose to Run Immich?

Things To Consider

Use When:
– You want to completely govern your photograph Collection
– You are comfortable self-hosting your services
– You run a VPS or Home Server
– Your Privacy/Growth Potential is important to you

Avoid When:
– You do not actively operate & maintain Servers
– You do not like being responsible for maintaining Servers

Self Hosting is both giving you Authority and Responsibility Over Your Asset

Final Thoughts!

Setting up immich Docker Compose is one of the best methods to create your private-based photo cloud storage using a proper Docker Compose file providing appropriate Versioning in your .env, in addition to appropriate Security controlled via Docker volumes allowing you to have complete Governing La w Over Your Physical Assets.

Do not rush to deploy. Test locally. Ensure your Docker Compose Versioning is locked down before launching. Configure backups.

Download the official Immich Docker Compose today! Carefully configure your Setup Environment Variables Properly must mount volumes in order to run your Private Photograph Cloud with full confidence!

People Also Ask

Does Immich support GPU acceleration in Docker Compose?

Yes. Immich supports hardware acceleration for faster AI processing. You must enable GPU access in Docker settings.

Can Immich handle 100,000+ photos?

Yes. With proper hardware and optimized storage, Immich scales well for large libraries.

How often should Immich be updated?

Updates are frequent. Production servers should update after reviewing release notes and testing in staging.

Hasib Iftikhar
I'm Hasib Iftikhar, a dedicated technical writer at CyberPanel, joining the team in July 2024. With three years of extensive experience in content writing, I specialize in copywriting, article writing, guest posting, affiliate content writing, and SEO. My expertise ensures that each piece of content I create is engaging, informative, and optimized for search engines, helping businesses enhance their online presence and reach their target audience effectively.
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