---
title: PhotoStructure on Raspberry Pi
url: https://photostructure.com/server/photostructure-for-rpi/
description: Instructions for installing PhotoStructure on Raspberry Pi
date: 2026-02-24
keywords: Raspberry-Pi, installation, Docker, performance, sync
---


{{% tip %}}
**Getting started?** Use the **[Docker Compose Wizard](/server/docker-compose-wizard/)** to generate a ready-to-use `compose.yaml` for your Pi.
{{% /tip %}}

The [Raspberry Pi](https://www.raspberrypi.org/) is a power-efficient
single-board computer. Both the
[Pi 4](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/) and
[Pi 5](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/) can serve the
web-based UI and import your library at the same time. The Pi 4 runs 4–10×
slower than a modern laptop or desktop; the Pi 5 is fast enough that most
libraries import without much pain.

PhotoStructure requires at least 2GB of RAM on a Raspberry Pi.

If you have a large library (50,000+ images) and a faster computer available,
consider doing your initial import there and then moving the library to your Pi.
[Moving PhotoStructure to a new computer](https://forum.photostructure.com/t/moving-photostructure-to-a-new-computer/1065/2?u=mrm) explains how.

<a id="quick-sync-mode"></a>

### 🥧 PhotoStructure tries to be nice to your Pi

PhotoStructure detects that you're running on a Raspberry Pi and automatically
disables its more expensive features to help imports go 10× faster. It also
extends timeout settings to match the slower processing times on Pi hardware.

These disabled features are a compromise:

- invalid JPEG, Raw, and video files may be imported into your library, as they won't be validated for bitrot
- browsing will require more network bandwidth due to larger, less-optimally-encoded preview images
- preview images will look a bit blurry, as they haven't been sharpened after reduction
- non-mp4-encoded videos will not be viewable, as they haven't been transcoded
- images missing metadata won't be repaired by inference from sibling files

If you're patient and don't mind slow imports, set `PS_QUICK_SYNC_MODE=false` to
keep these features enabled.

Features disabled by `PS_QUICK_SYNC_MODE`:

- `validateJpegImages`
- `validateRawImages`
- `validateVideos`
- `transcodeVideos`
- `previewMinimized`
- `previewProgressive`
- `previewSharpen`
- `inferenceSiblingRadius` (set to `0`)

Read more about [**advanced settings here**](/getting-started/advanced-settings/).

### Install!

PhotoStructure's Docker images include native `linux/arm64` builds. Use the
**[Docker Compose Wizard](/server/docker-compose-wizard/)** to generate a
`compose.yaml`, then follow the
[Docker reference](/server/photostructure-for-docker/) for bind mounts,
permissions, and networking.

The [Node edition](/server/photostructure-for-node/) also runs on arm64 if you
prefer to manage your own Node.js runtime.