Self-Host Immich on an Old Android Pixel Phone

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

What you’ll have running: You will have a self-hosted Google Photos alternative (Immich) running on an old Android Pixel phone, accessible securely from your other devices. Estimated time: ~5 hours Difficulty: INTERMEDIATE Power usage: ~~5W idle (~~$5/year)

Hardware needed:

Old Android Pixel phone (Pixel 3 or newer recommended for better performance)
USB-C charger and cable (ensure continuous power)
High-speed microSD card (128GB+ recommended) or external USB-C SSD for photo storage
OTG adapter (if using external USB storage and phone lacks direct USB-C host mode)

Ever looked at that old Pixel phone gathering dust in a drawer and thought, “There has to be a better use for this than a paperweight”? Well, you’re in luck. We’re going to transform it into a privacy-respecting, self-hosted Google Photos alternative using Immich, all powered by Termux and Docker Compose. This isn’t just about saving a few bucks; it’s about reclaiming ownership of your memories and learning a ton about self-hosting on unconventional hardware.

Termux (From F-Droid for Latest Version) on AI VOID

Self-Host Immich on an Old Android Pixel Phone