[Feature] Moving images from internal to external library

[GeertRoks]

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

• Yes

The feature

As a user I want to manage my images in the external library.

Immich allows me to easily backup photos from my phone into the internal library. After a few months I sit down to filter my photos and move the ones that I keep to my External library to match my file structure.

Target workflow
Use the internal library as an inbox for uploads from my phone. The internal library keeps accumulating photos. When the user sits down to filter their photos, they are able to create new directories in the External Library and move photos from the Internal library to the External library.

Problem
The user is not able to move images from the internal library to an existing folder in an existing external library.

If the user manually moves images in the filesystem of the server, then the database will create a dublicate thumbnail in the timeline view.

Others discussing this feature

• Move images from internal storage to external library #15009
• Moving part of the uploaded photos to external library / rescaning library #18890

Solution
Add a server function that:

• moves the selected images from the internal library to a specified external library
• preserve all information about the image (metadata, albums, thumbnails, etc.) and relink with the new path

Add a to the web ui:

• a new entry in the three-dots-menu called "Move to folder ..."
• when this entry is clicked the user shall pick a destination folder

Platform

• Server
• Web
• Mobile

[bo0tzz]

#10092

[GeertRoks]

I am willing to write code for this feature. Are there already ongoing efforts for this feature?
When there would be a merge request with this feature, would it have a chance to get merged?

[bo0tzz]

I'm not sure this is something we want, so I'd recommend joining our discord and discussing in the #contributing channel before doing any work.

[GeertRoks]

I will do that! Thank you for your guidance and quick responses! Also appologies for the duplicate feature request, I honestly missed those. Have a lovely day :)