# I found a Google Photos alternative worth switching to Take control of your photo library with Immich - **Source:** [Android Police](https://brifing.si/source/a7444c3b-8025-40d3-b68b-72e44d7adc84) - **Published:** 2026-07-26 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/dc79c9fe-35a1-4fde-8428-2665426bbcf3 ## Break free from Google Photos' limitations Immich is an open-source, self-hosted photo backup solution using Docker. It lets you bypass the 15GB free storage limit while maintaining full control over your photos. Though setup requires some technical know-how, the long-term freedom is worth it. ## Familiar interface with extra benefits Immich offers Google Photos' beloved features like timeline, face recognition, and auto-backup, while adding advantages like full library background uploads. Transitioning between the two platforms feels seamless in terms of user experience. ## Game-changing features in Version 3 Immich v3 improved background uploads, added a 'Recently Added' page, and brought OCR support to mobile. Most importantly, its non-destructive editing preserves originals while saving edits as copies - just like Google Photos. ## Migration is complex but worthwhile Transferring from Google Photos to Immich is tedious due to metadata being exported as separate JSON files. However, the hours spent are a valuable investment for permanent ownership of your photo library without third-party dependencies. ## Why switch now? Immich's latest version is finally mature enough to replace Google Photos. With Google's ever-changing storage policies, creating your own solution offers long-term security. The open-source platform keeps improving with community support. ## Embrace true ownership Immich returns control of your photos to you, freeing you from cloud providers' storage limits and privacy concerns. By self-hosting, you become the true custodian of your digital memories in an increasingly uncertain digital landscape. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.androidpolice.com/i-finally-found-google-photos-alternative-worth-switching-to/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._