Immich•2mo ago

Prevent Immich from copying images when adding a network share (NAS) as a library path

Hi there,

I have Immich running in a Docker container on Ubuntu, and my photos are stored on a NAS (mounted via CIFS under /mnt/nas_cd_alt and /mnt/nas_fotos).

When I add these paths to Immich as an import or library location, Immich starts copying all images into its internal /data structure.
But I just want Immich to index and generate thumbnails, without copying or moving the original image files from the NAS.

Is there a way to configure Immich to:

only read files from the mounted folders,

keep the originals on the NAS,

and just create thumbnails and metadata locally?

If not, could this behavior be added (for users who use external storage / NAS systems)?

Setup info:

Immich Server: latest release (v2.1.x)

Database: PostgreSQL 16 (pgvector)

Docker environment on Ubuntu VM

NAS mounted via CIFS (//192.168.100.31/Bilder → /mnt/nas_cd_alt)

Immich is running fine, but disk space fills up because all photos are copied

Immich•10/26/25, 10:32 PM

:wave: Hey @B_Mause72/ NI,

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
```
```
docker compose logs
```
docs
Container Status:
```
docker ps -a
```
```
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

Immich•10/26/25, 10:32 PM

Checklist

I have...

:blue_square: verified I'm on the latest release(note that mobile app releases may take some time).
:blue_square: read applicable release notes.
:blue_square: reviewed the FAQs for known issues.
:blue_square: reviewed Github for known issues.
:blue_square: tried accessing Immich via local ip (without a custom reverse proxy).
:blue_square: uploaded the relevant information (see below).
:blue_square: 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
```
```
fdisk -l
```
and
```
df -h
```
```
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

/close

command, and re-open it later if needed.

bo0tzz•10/26/25, 10:34 PM

Immich doesn't copy originals out of external libraries

Mraedis•10/27/25, 11:07 AM

To add, the increased storage is thumbnails and transcodes

Prevent Immich from copying images when adding a network share (NAS) as a library path

References

Checklist

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