How to get the list of all AWS AMIs using boto3?

Question

I want to list all the AWS AMI's (Amazon Machine Image) that I can see using the console and Boto 3.

I have tried using describe_instances() to get ImageIDs but not all the images are getting listed.

Solution

import boto3

ec2_client = boto3.client('ec2', region_name='ap-southeast-2') # Change as appropriate

images = ec2_client.describe_images(Owners=['self'])

This lists all AMIs that were created by your account. If you leave out the 'self' bit, it will list all publicly-accessible AMIs (and the list is BIG!).

Comments

[Cale Sweeney]

I would add that describe_images() returns a dict. Its well documented here: boto3.amazonaws.com/v1/documentation/api/latest/reference/…

[wisp]

Not exactly. It will print list of AMI of all instances you're running. It can be own private AMIs and publicly available AMI. But this method will omit everything that is not an active instance right now.