# Immich v3.4.0-rc.1 introduces passkeys, JXL support, and enhanced backup features

> **Key takeaway:** The Immich v3.4.0 release candidate adds modern authentication via passkeys, JPEG XL image support, and improved database backup capabilities.

**Published:** 2026-10-30T17:53:15+00:00 
**Source:** Immich Self-Hosted Photo Cloud 
**Category:** foss-apps 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/immich-v340-rc1-introduces-passkeys-jxl-support-and-enhanced.html 

## Summary
Immich has released the first release candidate for version 3.4.0, marking a significant update to the self-hosted photo management platform. This pre-release version introduces several major features, including support for passkeys to enhance user authentication and the addition of JPEG XL (JXL) as both a mobile decoder and a server-side target format.

Beyond media handling, the update focuses on system reliability and security. It introduces new backup workflows, including support for pigz compression for database backups and integration with restic for parallel scans. Users are advised to back up their libraries and databases before testing this release candidate, as it is subject to breaking changes.

## Technical improvements in Immich v3.4.0-rc.1
- **Authentication and Security:** The release implements passkey support for more secure logins and includes numerous security hardening fixes, such as sanitizing EXIF template variables and restricting OAuth cookie settings.
- **Media Format Support:** The system now supports JPEG XL (JXL), providing a new target format for the server and a dedicated decoder for the mobile application.
- **Backup and Data Integrity:** New backup features include the ability to compress database backups using pigz and support for restic's parallel scan in futo backups.
- **Workflow and Automation:** Users can now utilize new workflow filters based on missing EXIF properties or OCR extraction results to automate asset organization.
- **Performance Optimizations:** The update includes RKNN model optimizations that reduce RAM usage by half and prevent weight duplication during multi-core operations.

## Why it matters
As a leading self-hosted alternative to proprietary photo clouds, these updates strengthen Immich's position by adopting modern web standards like passkeys and efficient image formats like JXL. The improved backup and security features make it more viable for sysadmins managing large-scale personal or small-group media libraries.