HT204655: Updating from iPhoto to Photos for OS X

Learn about Updating from iPhoto to Photos for OS X
farnk

Q: is there any reason to keep iphoto on my computer?

Some time ago the Photos app appeared, and apparently iPhoto became obsolete. But iPhoto is still on my computer. Is there any reason to keep it?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 6:22 PM

Close

Q: is there any reason to keep iphoto on my computer?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Aug 10, 2016 6:24 PM in response to farnk
    Level 7 (20,267 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 10, 2016 6:24 PM in response to farnk

    If all your photos and videos migrated successfully to Photos, you can delete iPhoto app and its iPhoto Library file.

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 10, 2016 7:44 PM in response to farnk
    Level 10 (84,210 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 10, 2016 7:44 PM in response to farnk

    Totally up to you - if you delete the iPhoto Application and ever need it it can be difficult to get again and deleting it saves very little something like 1.6 GB - deleting the iPhoto library can release more depending on how many photos have been delete from Photos since you migrated

     

    I recommend not deleting anything until is have been at least 6 months since you used iPhoto - and then keep an archive copy of everything just in case

     

    LN

  • by farnk,

    farnk farnk Aug 10, 2016 7:11 PM in response to Rysz
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 10, 2016 7:11 PM in response to Rysz

    Thanks. I know I can delete it. And I'd like to, since it's 1.7gb compared to Photos 54mb. But before I do, I'm wondering if there's any reason I might want to keep it, due to some functionality in iPhoto that Photos doesn't have? Primarily in the editing mode.  A side-by-side comparison reveals some differences, but I'm not familiar enough to know if they are significant enough to warrant keeping both apps. Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer.

  • by farnk,

    farnk farnk Aug 10, 2016 7:13 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 10, 2016 7:13 PM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks for the reply.

  • by LarryHN,Solvedanswer

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 10, 2016 11:48 PM in response to farnk
    Level 10 (84,210 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 10, 2016 11:48 PM in response to farnk

    Generally Photos is much more advanced than iPhoto in editing plus it includes extensions giving it access to all external editors and many specialized editing features which will grow over time - Photo Editing Extensions for Photos for Mac

     

    the basic differences are discussed in the user post - Photos 1.5 vs iPhoto 9.6.1: Features and Capabilities

     

     

    again it is totally your choice but generally is is best to keep the iPhoto application and at least archive the iPhoto library

     

    LN

  • by farnk,

    farnk farnk Aug 10, 2016 11:52 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 10, 2016 11:52 PM in response to LarryHN

    Thank you again! This is very helpful, especially the link to the side-by-side comparison. Clearly there is a lot to learn beyond the basics in Photos.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 11, 2016 8:36 AM in response to farnk
    Level 10 (84,210 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 11, 2016 8:36 AM in response to farnk

    You are welcome

     

    LN