Immich 2.5 adds space-saving option, non-destructive image editing, UI upgrades, and more

Immich 2.5 arrives as the latest release of this open-source, self-hosted photo and video management solution. The update adds Free Up Space, a much-requested feature that lets users remove local media files already backed up to their Immich server. This capability helps mobile users reclaim device storage while keeping their original files secure on the server.

Building on editing workflows, Immich now supports non-destructive photo editing. Users can make changes to images without altering the original, allowing edits to be freely reversed if needed. Meanwhile, backup and restore are now fully built into Immich itself, offering users the option to restore a database backup directly within the web interface.

Following these core updates, the release also improves foreground uploads for the mobile app and introduces a refreshed visual design across web, mobile, and documentation. This update includes a new font for clearer legibility, particularly with numbers and small text. Additionally, mobile users now gain star-rating support, consistent with the web application.

Security enhancements include a new environment variable for controlling admin registration and finer-grained API permissions. Remote images load faster with optimized HTTP clients and improved caching, while the platform adds options for progressive JPEGs and the ability to automatically restart web slideshows.