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Immich4mo ago
DNU

Backup to External HDD

Im wondering what the process is to backup and whether I can Backup to an External HDD as I have a few 4TB Passport Drives that I dont use and would like to setup a regular Backup of ALL Immich data and all my Pictures and Videos. Is this possible?
11 Replies
Immich
Immich4mo ago
:wave: Hey @DNU, Thanks for reaching out to us. Please carefully read this message and follow the recommended actions. This will help us be more effective in our support effort and leave more time for building Immich :immich:. References - Container Logs: docker compose logs docs - Container Status: docker ps -a docs - Reverse Proxy: https://immich.app/docs/administration/reverse-proxy - Code Formatting https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/210298617-Markdown-Text-101-Chat-Formatting-Bold-Italic-Underline#h_01GY0DAKGXDEHE263BCAYEGFJA Checklist I have... 1. :ballot_box_with_check: verified I'm on the latest release(note that mobile app releases may take some time). 2. :ballot_box_with_check: read applicable release notes. 3. :ballot_box_with_check: reviewed the FAQs for known issues. 4. :ballot_box_with_check: reviewed Github for known issues. 5. :ballot_box_with_check: tried accessing Immich via local ip (without a custom reverse proxy). 6. :ballot_box_with_check: uploaded the relevant information (see below). 7. :ballot_box_with_check: tried an incognito window, disabled extensions, cleared mobile app cache, logged out and back in, different browsers, etc. as applicable (an item can be marked as "complete" by reacting with the appropriate number) Information In order to be able to effectively help you, we need you to provide clear information to show what the problem is. The exact details needed vary per case, but here is a list of things to consider: - Your docker-compose.yml and .env files. - Logs from all the containers and their status (see above). - All the troubleshooting steps you've tried so far. - Any recent changes you've made to Immich or your system. - Details about your system (both software/OS and hardware). - Details about your storage (filesystems, type of disks, output of commands like fdisk -l and df -h). - The version of the Immich server, mobile app, and other relevant pieces. - Any other information that you think might be relevant. Please paste files and logs with proper code formatting, and especially avoid blurry screenshots. Without the right information we can't work out what the problem is. Help us help you ;) If this ticket can be closed you can use the /close command, and re-open it later if needed. Successfully submitted, a tag has been added to inform contributors. :white_check_mark:
bo0tzz
bo0tzz4mo ago
"the process" is so varied that there's no useful answer I can really give with this limited info As in, the best I can do is: Pick a backup tool you like and set it up to run on a schedule
DNU
DNUOP4mo ago
So if I used a docker type backup like Restic cud I set that up to run and back up all of what I have in Immich docker and also all the folders containing my photos and videos? I’m looking for a complete backup of Immich
bo0tzz
bo0tzz4mo ago
Yes
DNU
DNUOP4mo ago
Thanks. I’ll read up and see if I can set something up. I’ve never used Restic but was advised to use it. I’m sure there will be plenty of YouTube videos on how to use it and back up Immich and all the folders Oh so the Borg backup script wud do it all for me if I load it on the server and the external HDD? Then just setup a cron job Could I use then something like rclone to sync to the external drive and setup a cron job on the server to do it?
bo0tzz
bo0tzz4mo ago
You could, but it's better to use an actual backup tool
Immich
Immich4mo ago
So when people say "x is not a backup tool" what they are actually saying is "you probably don't actually want a single point in time copy of your data", which is what that tool is doing. And that "backup tools" exist today that: - can run on a schedule - only copy new/changed data (incremental) keep track of changes over time in the backup, with the option to restore to a previous version This gives you the ability to recover a file that was deleted some time ago, restore to a point prior to data corruption, etc., all while being space efficient (similar blocks are deduplicated) Popular backup tools are restic and borg.
DNU
DNUOP4mo ago
So Restic would be a better tool to use. I’ll install on the server and hopefully use the right command line to send the correct path to my external drive connected to my Mac. I’m new to all this. Been trying to find videos to help me through it but there are plenty on how to install Immich but not backup Immich itself correctly
Zeus
Zeus4mo ago
You shouldn’t be looking for immich specific guides. you just should learn how to make backups
DNU
DNUOP4mo ago
I think you’re right there. So if I just look at how to use Testic and make a complete backup of my docker setup I should then also get all of my Immich setup and database backed up

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