Immich v3.0.0 Release Notes and Community Discussion

write-up · for knighthk in #systemcrafters · 2026-07-03 10:45 UTC

Immich v3.0.0 is a major release featuring breaking API endpoint changes, though most standard users can update via their usual process without issues.
The release drops support for pgvecto.rs in favor of vectorchord and introduces a unified, non-destructive photo editor for mobile that mirrors the web version’s capabilities.
A new "Workflows" utility allows users to automate library actions using a drag-and-drop builder with triggers, filters, and actions, accessible via visual or JSON editors.
Users can now opt into receiving release candidate notifications through Admin settings, and new merchandise is available at immich.store.

Commenters express strong admiration for Immich as a powerful, self-hosted alternative to Google Photos, particularly praising its performance with large videos and ease of use despite the initial setup effort. However, a recurring point of contention is the lack of end-to-end encryption, which leads some users to prefer Ente Photos, while others argue that E2EE is unnecessary for typical home lab security. Practical concerns also surface regarding iOS sync reliability, storage inefficiencies with thumbnail caching for multiple users, and the technical challenges of importing massive Google Takeout archives.

See also