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Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select your VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
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Ente Photos
Application2048MB+ RAM
End-to-end encrypted photo storage and backup (Google Photos alternative)
photosbackupencryptedgoogle-photos-alternative
Deploy Ente Photos in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select Ente Photos
Choose from our template library
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Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Ente Photos on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Ente Photos template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted encrypted photo backup API with PostgreSQL and MinIO storage volumes on your VPS, then verify the Ente Photos API endpoint in a browser.
About 7 minutesBrowser verified
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Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
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Step 3Search for Ente Photos
Use the template picker search to find Ente Photos in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Ente Photos template
Choose the Ente Photos template. Server Compass fills the Ente Photos image, host port, published server URL, and PostgreSQL and MinIO storage volumes.
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Step 5Review the Ente Photos settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named ente-photos-demo and used host port 8080.
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Step 6Deploy Ente Photos
Review the generated environment values, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the Ente Photos image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Ente Photos is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Ente Photos app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Ente Photos in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The Ente Photos API endpoint confirms the site is reachable.
After Ente Photos Opens
- Configure the Ente mobile or desktop app against the deployed API before adding production photo backups.
- Configure the Ente mobile or desktop client to point at the deployed API before uploading real photos.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing the photo backup API to users.
- Configure users, libraries, metadata providers, and remote access settings before production use.
- Back up the PostgreSQL and MinIO volumes before relying on the server for production photo backups.
Verified Result
The Ente Photos API endpoint loaded successfully in a browser.
Ente Photos deployment questions
What does the Ente Photos template deploy?
It deploys the Ente server container with PostgreSQL for metadata and MinIO-compatible object storage for encrypted photo data.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 8080, which maps to the Ente Photos web server on container port 8080.
Why does the guide stop at the API response?
The tutorial verifies the clean API response because real library paths, users, metadata providers, and remote access settings depend on the production server.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Ente Photos template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Why Self-Host Ente Photos?
Ente Photos provides end-to-end encrypted photo storage and backup — a self-hosted Google Photos alternative. Self-hosting means your family photos and memories are encrypted on your server, not scanned by big tech for ad targeting or AI training.
End-to-end encrypted photo backup — not even you can be compelled to decrypt without keys
Google Photos-like experience with search and albums
Native apps for iOS, Android, desktop, and web
Automatic background upload from mobile devices
Shared albums for family photo collaboration
Ente Photos vs Alternatives
Ente Photos vs Google Photos
Google scans your photos for AI training. Ente encrypts everything end-to-end on your own server.
Ente Photos vs Immich
Immich is unencrypted at rest. Ente provides end-to-end encryption, meaning even server compromise doesn't expose your photos.
Ente Photos vs iCloud Photos
iCloud is Apple-only and Apple holds keys. Ente is cross-platform with true end-to-end encryption you control.
Why Deploy Ente Photos with Server Compass?
Server Compass deploys Ente Photos with all required services — API server, museum, and MinIO for object storage — pre-configured. Your encrypted photo backup is ready as soon as you install the Ente app.
Download Server CompassAfter Deployment
After deploying Ente Photos with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Configure server endpoint
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Create account via the Ente app
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Start uploading photos
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Ente Photos FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Ente Photos
How do I deploy Ente Photos with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Ente Photos from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.
What are the system requirements for Ente Photos?
Ente Photos requires a minimum of 2048MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 4096MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing Ente Photos data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Ente Photos backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Ente Photos to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Ente Photos image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Ente Photos free to self-host?
Ente Photos is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.
Ready to Self-Host Ente Photos?
Download Server Compass and deploy Ente Photos to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass