Michael Vallance

Q: Merge Photo libraries from 2 Macs

I wish to Merge Photo libraries from 2 Macs

but from a previous thread it appears I cannot (Re: How do I merge 2 libraries in Photo?)

 

My question is then, How do I add photos from my MacBook Air (no iCloud set up) to my master iMac (iCloud has been set up)?

 

Do I copy the photos to a HDD and simply import? Will that lose all the metadata such as place and time?

 

I guess I will lose the organisation of Albums in Photos from MacBook Air too

 

Anyone used PowerPhotos? https://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powerphotos/

 

Thank you.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), lives with iMacs, eMate & Newton.

Posted on Aug 13, 2016 9:29 PM

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Q: Merge Photo libraries from 2 Macs

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  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 13, 2016 9:49 PM in response to Michael Vallance
    Level 10 (84,125 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 13, 2016 9:49 PM in response to Michael Vallance

    That is correct ,you can not truely merge Photos libraries - this article explains your options and the drawbacks and advantages of each  --  Notes on Merging Photos Libraries

     

    Your method is the least desirable, will lose the most  and will lose your organization

     

    You have rejected the best method - using iPhoto Library Manager which keeps the organization and most of the metadata

     

    That pretty much leaves keeping two libraries  and using PowerPhotos to manage them or using PowerPhotos to merge once version of the photos

     

    LN

  • by Michael Vallance,

    Michael Vallance Michael Vallance Aug 13, 2016 9:57 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 13, 2016 9:57 PM in response to LarryHN

    Thank you.

     

    I used  iPhoto Library Manager when I migrated to Photos last year.

     

    PowerPhotos seems to be an option. I may disconnect my iMac from the net, merge libraries, then connect again. iCloud may recognize new photos have been added and then update. I have a 200GB iCloud subscription so space is not an issue. 

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 13, 2016 10:43 PM in response to Michael Vallance
    Level 10 (84,125 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 13, 2016 10:43 PM in response to Michael Vallance

    Re-read the article - If you are using iCloud Photo Library it is the best way to merge Photos libraries - simply log  each Mac into the same ICPL using the same Apple ID and let it upload completely - now all systems will ahve the same merged library

     

    You can do what you want but you seem to be resisting the best method

     

    LN