Frequently asked questions

What is PixelUnion?

We are a privacy-first photo storage platform tailored for European consumers, offering a secure and private alternative to major tech platforms.

In light of recent geopolitical developments between the United States and Europe, the need for robust European solutions has become evident. We were created to address this gap, providing a reliable and privacy-focused option for photo storage within the EU.

Do you have a mobile app?

Yes we do.

Kind of..

For the moment we rely on the open source app in the Google and Apple stores. This app is fully compatible with our platform. In the future, we aim to create our own version of the app while contributing back to the open source community.

How do you ensure my data is private?

Your data finds its cozy home in Germany, where it’s protected by some of the strongest privacy laws in the world. We use encryption both at rest (when your data is stored) and in transit (when it’s zooming across the internet). Think of it as a digital vault with a secure lock—only you hold the key!

Our state-of-the-art security measures ensure your photos stay private and safe, no matter what. Curious to learn more? Feel free to reach out to us anytime via the support page. We’re always happy to chat!

Also check out our privacy policy which explains in more detail how we handle your data. We tried to keep it as simple as possible so you don’t have to be a lawyer to understand it.

Is your platform free to use?

Yes, we offer a free forever plan with 16GB of photo storage—1GB more than Google Photos! While it may seem like a small difference, we take pride in providing that extra space for your memories. And it’s funny.

When you’re ready to upgrade to a larger plan, we’ll be here to help you seamlessly transition to a premium option that fits your needs.

How do I connect the Immich app to your platform?

Enter your subdomain (e.g., myphotos.pixelunion.eu) in the Immich app’s server address field. For more information on how to get going with the app, visit this page.

Does your platform support the Immich API?

Yes, we fully support the Immich API, allowing you to use it with any compatible software or tools you prefer. This means you can integrate our platform into your workflows, build custom apps, or automate tasks using the Immich API.

However, for security and privacy reasons, we have disabled two specific endpoints:

  • /api/system-config: This endpoint is disabled to prevent unauthorized access to system-level configurations.
  • /api/library: This endpoint is disabled to ensure stricter control over media library access.

All other endpoints are fully functional, so you can enjoy the flexibility and power of the Immich API while keeping your data secure. If you have any questions or need help getting started, feel free to reach out to our support team!

What happens if I delete my account?

We store two types of data for which we have separate retention periods:

  • Personal data: Like your name, email address or phone number
  • Uploaded media: The media you have uploaded to our platform

We keep your personal data (not your uploaded media) only as long as necessary. Typically, this means up to 1 year after you stop using our services.

We retain your uploaded media for up to 30 days after you delete your installation. This gives us time to resolve any issues or recover data if needed. After that, it’s permanently deleted.

How can I contact support?

You can reach out to our support team via the Contact Us page.

Where are you based?

We are based in Alkmaar, The Netherlands, and comply with Dutch and EU data protection laws.

Are you GDPR-compliant?

Yes, we fully comply with GDPR regulations to protect your personal data.

Can I request my data to be deleted?

Yes, you can request data deletion by contacting our support team and providing the necessary verification.

How can I upload a large number of photos quickly?

If you have a lot of photos to upload, the easiest and fastest way is to use the Immich CLI (Command-Line Interface). The CLI allows you to upload entire folders of photos directly from your computer, making it perfect for bulk uploads.

To get started, you’ll need to install the Immich CLI and log in using your API key. We’ve written a detailed guide on how to do this in our blog post: Using the Immich API and CLI.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps:

  1. Install the Immich CLI:
    Use Node.js and NPM to install the CLI on your computer.

  2. Get Your API Key:
    Log in to your Immich account, go to Account Settings, and create an API key.

  3. Log In to the CLI:
    Use the API key and your server URL to log in via the CLI.

  4. Upload Your Photos:
    Use the immich-cli upload command to upload your photos. You can even upload entire folders and subfolders with the --recursive option.

For more detailed instructions, check out our blog post: Using the Immich API and CLI.

The Immich CLI is a powerful tool that saves you time and effort when managing large photo collections. Give it a try!