HT201517: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users

Learn about iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users
Paul Seymour1

Q: Sharing a Photo library in 2 ways

My wife and I each have a MacBookPro and an iPhone, and I've got an iPad. Additionally, we've got a Mac Mini that is our media server.

 

We want it where each of us can plug in our phones to the Mini (or better yet, do it over Wifi) and add our pictures to a single library there. That's the first way of sharing.

 

Second, I'd like to see these pictures on our i-devices. In a perfect world, I'd like my whole photo collection in iCloud where I could view the whole thing remotely.

 

It seems like all this might be possible. Is it? How?

Posted on May 18, 2015 9:29 PM

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Q: Sharing a Photo library in 2 ways

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  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 19, 2015 7:41 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 10 (84,217 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 19, 2015 7:41 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    That is called iCloud Photo library and is supported in Photos and on IOS - turn it on on all devices and log into iCloud using the same Apple  ID on all devices and your wish is granted

     

    LN

  • by Paul Seymour1,

    Paul Seymour1 Paul Seymour1 May 19, 2015 9:39 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 2 (321 points)
    Apple TV
    May 19, 2015 9:39 AM in response to LarryHN

    I gather from your response that at least some of what I'm trying to do might be possible via "iCloud Photo Library." Unfortunately, I don't have the technical chops to translate that into an actual solution. But now that I strongly suspect what I want might be possible, I'll book a session at the Genius Bar for specific instructions.

     

    Thanks!

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 19, 2015 9:45 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 10 (84,217 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 19, 2015 9:45 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    Not highly technical at all

     

    turn it on on all devices and log into iCloud using the same Apple  ID on all devices and your wish is granted

    In the system preferences ==> iCloud verify that both Macs are logged into the same apple ID and under the Photos section that iCloud Photo Library is on

     

    and in the Photos preferences ==> iCloud be sure that iCloud Photo Library is on

     

    On your IOS devices under settings ==> iCloud ==> Photos again be sure iCloud Photo Library is on

     

    iCloud Photo library does exactly what you request

     

    LN

  • by Old Toad,Solvedanswer

    Old Toad Old Toad May 19, 2015 9:57 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 10 (140,918 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 19, 2015 9:57 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    This Apple document will help you understand the iCloud Photo Library: iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support

     

    You will have to purchase sufficient iCloud storage to house all of your photos in the iCloud Library - iCloud storage pricing - Apple Support

     

    The downside to this is that with all devices signed into the same iCloud account all devices will receive only emails, messages for that account.  That may not be what you want.

     

    Investigate using the iCloud Family Sharing feature.  Here's how: Set up Family Sharing - Apple Support

     

    That's all I know about it so can't help further.

    OTsig.png

  • by Paul Seymour1,

    Paul Seymour1 Paul Seymour1 May 19, 2015 10:22 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 2 (321 points)
    Apple TV
    May 19, 2015 10:22 PM in response to Old Toad

    Thanks. Yeah, I'm hoping the whole solution lies in the Family Sharing thing, because having all the devices tied to a single ID is a deal-killer.

     

    I've got an appointment at the Genius Bar on Friday. Hopefully they can walk me through the steps.

  • by reginaldj3,

    reginaldj3 reginaldj3 May 29, 2015 6:27 AM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 29, 2015 6:27 AM in response to Old Toad

    Is there a way to share the library on a single computer without using iCloud Family Sharing? My wife and I had been doing the same thing with iPhoto prior to Yosemite and with the new Photos app, we are unable to even view the massive library on our media computer. We use snapfish for backup and have our photos printed and shared online and have been doing so for a number of years. Is there a new way to share a single Photo library in Yosemite?

  • by Glenn Leblanc,

    Glenn Leblanc Glenn Leblanc May 29, 2015 6:37 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 6 (11,016 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 29, 2015 6:37 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    You can add additional iCloud accounts for other features. Only the main iCloud account can share Photos.

    So, one of you can log into the other's main iCloud account to share the feature your wish to share such as Photos. They then can create an additional iCloud account for the things they don't wish to share such as Contacts, Calendars, Mail, Notes.

    Facetime, Messaging, iTunes, & App Store are separate loggins and aren't dependent on the iCloud account signed into.

     

    This is just another Option.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad May 29, 2015 8:42 AM in response to Paul Seymour1
    Level 10 (140,918 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 29, 2015 8:42 AM in response to Paul Seymour1

    I'm not familiar with the Family Sharing feature but this MacWorld article was released today and might share some info on the process:  How to set up family sharing in Photos

     

    It seems to indicate each member can use their own Apple ID.  The following is from the article:

    It’s a great long-term solution, too. For example, as family members get additional iOS devices, their own Macs, or they move away (yippee!), their unique Apple ID ensures that all their pictures, videos, emails, and so on migrate to the new devices. Plus they can continue to share digital proof of their adventures, even from far away.