HT204264: iCloud Photo Library

Learn about iCloud Photo Library
Bniemand

Q: Syncing iCloud Photos between Macs

I have an iMac and a Macbook.  I want to store full copies of Photos on both machines.  I have done this by loading all data from my iMac to my Macbook when I purchased.  I now want to keep in sync with iCloud Photos.  When I turned on the iCloud Photos syncing on the Macbook, it doesn't realize the photos are the same as the ones on the iMac and wants to upload them all.  How do I do without duplicating and keep them in sync?  Do I have to deleted all of the photos on the MacBook and let them all sync down from iCloud?

 

Second issue - when I loaded some new photos to the MacBook from my camera, it uploaded those via photo stream to my iPhone and ipad.  But it didn't upload them to my iMac?  Is it possible it won't upload because I have iCloud Photos turned on?  If so, how do I ever get new photos uploaded there?  My general type of behavior is to upload photos either via my iPhone, or by connecting my camera to my MacBook or iPad and uploading photos, which I then want to get pushed to the iMac.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 5:45 AM

Close

Q: Syncing iCloud Photos between Macs

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by LACAllen,

    LACAllen LACAllen Jul 26, 2016 10:43 AM in response to Bniemand
    Level 5 (4,537 points)
    iCloud
    Jul 26, 2016 10:43 AM in response to Bniemand

    How do I do without duplicating and keep them in sync?  Do I have to deleted all of the photos on the MacBook and let them all sync down from iCloud?

     

    Have to? No. Should? Maybe. You could also de-dupe once the sync is complete. Not sure your best course of action here.

     

    If you have the iCloud Photo Library enabled, Photo Stream is effectively disabled.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 1.42.20 PM.png

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jul 26, 2016 10:55 AM in response to Bniemand
    Level 9 (69,850 points)
    iTunes
    Jul 26, 2016 10:55 AM in response to Bniemand

    Normally, the upload is just a comparison between what is on the computer and what is in iCloud. The photos should not be duplicated.

     

    Are the phone and iPad uploading the new pictures to iCloud?