Immich Desktop
Your photos and videos from your immich library,
right in the macOS Finder and in every file
dialog.
Immich in the Finder sidebar
Immich Desktop mounts your server as a location in the macOS Finder sidebar. Browse all items by year and month, by album, by location or even by person. Files appear with thumbnails — the original is fetched only when you open it.
Quickly browse your gallery
Open the built-in gallery straight from the menu bar and skim your whole library, newest first. Only what's on screen is loaded, so it stays fast even with a huge library. Click any photo or video to view it large — videos stream right from your server — and jump to any year and month in a single click.
Connect to your Immich server
Enter your Immich server URL and an API key, hit Save & Activate,
and that's it. No syncing or copying. Your photos and videos are served
directly from your Immich server.
Choose which Finder views to show. All Photos is always organized by year
and month; Albums, Persons, and Places each have their own grouping mode.
Why Immich Desktop
Native Finder integration
Built on Apple's File Provider system — your Immich photos behave like real files in Finder and in every open/save dialog.
Download on demand
Photos appear as lightweight placeholders with thumbnails. The full-size original downloads only when you open it.
Your data stays yours
Immich Desktop talks directly to your self-hosted server. Nothing is routed through a third party.
Lives in the menu bar
No Dock clutter. A small menu-bar app manages the connection; quit it and Immich disappears from Finder.
Frequently asked questions
How do I access my Immich photos on a Mac?
Install Immich Desktop, enter your Immich server URL and an API key, and your library appears as a location in the macOS Finder sidebar — browsable like any folder, in Finder and in every open/save dialog.
Do my photos pass through a third-party server?
No. Immich Desktop talks directly to your own Immich server. Everything runs locally on your Mac — your photos never pass through anyone else's server.
What do I need to use Immich Desktop?
macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, an Immich server you can reach.
What permissions does the API key need?
Your Immich API key needs following permissions: album.read,
asset.read, asset.download, asset.view and person.read.
Is Immich Desktop free?
Yes. Immich Desktop can be downloaded and used for free.