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Immich•5mo ago
Matthijs

Fresh install on MacOS postgres not coming up

Hi! I am doing a fresh install on MacOS. My postgres container does not come up. I am using the default .env file. This is what I see in the logs: 
Using SSD storage
chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted
chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted
The files belonging to this database system will be owned by user "postgres".
This user must also own the server process.
The database cluster will be initialized with locale "en_US.utf8".
The default database encoding has accordingly been set to "UTF8".
The default text search configuration will be set to "english".
Data page checksums are enabled.

initdb: error: could not change permissions of directory "/var/lib/postgresql/data": Operation not permitted
Using SSD storage
chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted
chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted
The files belonging to this database system will be owned by user "postgres".
This user must also own the server process.
The database cluster will be initialized with locale "en_US.utf8".
The default database encoding has accordingly been set to "UTF8".
The default text search configuration will be set to "english".
Data page checksums are enabled.

initdb: error: could not change permissions of directory "/var/lib/postgresql/data": Operation not permitted
6 Replies
Immich
Immich•5mo ago
:wave: Hey @Matthijs, 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.
Matthijs
MatthijsOP•5mo ago
My docker-compose and env are not default (downloaded through installation instructions)
Mraedis
Mraedis•5mo ago
Could you apply the Windows recommendation https://immich.app/docs/install/requirements/#special-requirements-for-windows-users (Yes I know it's MacOS)
Matthijs
MatthijsOP•5mo ago
Thanks; tried it and get this: 
Using SSD storage

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

The files belonging to this database system will be owned by user "postgres".

This user must also own the server process.


The database cluster will be initialized with locale "en_US.utf8".

The default database encoding has accordingly been set to "UTF8".

The default text search configuration will be set to "english".


Data page checksums are enabled.


initdb: error: could not change permissions of directory "/var/lib/postgresql/data": Operation not permitted

fixing permissions on existing directory /var/lib/postgresql/data ... 2025-07-06T20:09:55.480812215Z Using SSD storage

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

The files belonging to this database system will be owned by user "postgres".

This user must also own the server process.
Using SSD storage

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

The files belonging to this database system will be owned by user "postgres".

This user must also own the server process.


The database cluster will be initialized with locale "en_US.utf8".

The default database encoding has accordingly been set to "UTF8".

The default text search configuration will be set to "english".


Data page checksums are enabled.


initdb: error: could not change permissions of directory "/var/lib/postgresql/data": Operation not permitted

fixing permissions on existing directory /var/lib/postgresql/data ... 2025-07-06T20:09:55.480812215Z Using SSD storage

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

chmod: changing permissions of '/var/lib/postgresql/data': Operation not permitted

The files belonging to this database system will be owned by user "postgres".

This user must also own the server process.
Mraedis
Mraedis•5mo ago
That seems very unlikely in a docker volume 👀 I do remember seeing this error on macos before though Something with permissions
CrushedAsian255
CrushedAsian255•5mo ago
Can I have a look at your compose file, and where is that file?

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