Jellyfin releases version 12.0 with major database overhaul

The open-source media server Jellyfin has released version 12.0, featuring a major structural overhaul of its database. This update marks a shift in versioning logic, moving away from the previous '10.x' prefix to indicate significant architectural changes rather than routine updates.

A primary focus of this release is performance optimization. By transitioning from storing playlists and collections as single serialized blocks to using individual rows in relational tables, the server can now paginate, count, and modify large lists without the need to load entire datasets. This change is intended to prevent interface freezing in libraries with extensive content.

Additional features include native support for alternative versions of TV episodes—such as director's cuts or 4K copies—a capability previously limited to films. Furthermore, Jellyfin has integrated book and comic book management directly into the server, allowing for native metadata reading and EPUB cover generation. Users are advised to perform a full manual backup before upgrading, as the database migration is irreversible.