[Feature] Sync favorites (in DB) and 5 stars (in XMP)

[FunkyKwak]

I have searched the existing feature requests, both open and closed, to make sure this is not a duplicate request.

• Yes

The feature

I use quite a lot the ratings to organise my pictures. In Immich, the favorites seems to be more pushed forward (for example you can filter on favorites in the map view, but not on 5 stars). I understand favourites are more easy and clear for most users. But favorites are not stored in XMP sidecar files, so it's not possible to manage it usi using an external tool (Digikam).

I think favorited pictures = 5 stars pictures.

It would be nice to have a feature to sync favorites with 5 stars. In both directions : from favorites to the XMP, and from the XMP to the favorites.

I may write a small script to do it using immich-cli, but it probably will be a one time thing. It would be awesome to have such feature in a new task or a utility.

Platform

• Server
• Web
• Mobile

[bo0tzz]

I'm not sure we could generally assume that 5 stars == favourite, surely there's people that don't want that behaviour?

[FunkyKwak]

I guess you're right, even if I don't see in which case someone could have favourites and 5 stars pictures, I guess you can't do that, even if just a minority want to differentiate it.
Maybe that could be a server parameter (like a checkbox: I want to have my favourites rated 5 stars in the files metadata) ?

The main issue is that immich highlights favourites, but that's not stored in the metadata (I don't think it's even a real exif tag).
I think many people uses another tool to organise their library (like me with Digikam), and the only way to share data between the two softwares are the xmp files. So if favorites is not their, it can't be used, and that's too bad because it's everywhere in the Immich app.

[FunkyKwak]

I made my script using the API, if you think this feature is not necessary you can close the issue I'll be fine 😉