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User profile for user: Gina_2166
Gina_2166 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

migrating photos to desktop from cloud without replacing old/alternate library currently on desktop

I want to migrate my photos library currently on my mobile devices and cloud to my desktop. However I’m afraid of replacing the photos library currently on the desktop. How can I make sure all photos in both libraries are kept? The desktop photos are backed up with time machine. I’d like to access the editing tools on my desktop.



Posted on Jan 21, 2019 2:13 AM

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,327 points

Posted on Jan 21, 2019 2:52 AM

You can have several Photos Libraries. You just have to name them differently to keep them apart.

Using multiple Photos Libraries is explained on this Help page, see: Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


To create a new library for iCloud,

  • launch Photos while holding down the options key ⌥. Keep holding down this key until the Library Chooser dialog appears.
  • Select "new" to create a different library. Give it a different name from your main Desktop Library.


To make the new library your iCloud Library see this page: Use iCloud Photos to store photos in iCloud - Apple Support

  • While browsing the new library: First open the Photos > Preferences > General and click "Use as System Photo Library", because only the System Photos Library can sync with iCloud.
  • If you’re not already signed in to iCloud, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID and password. 
  1. In the Photos app  on your Mac, choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud.
  2. Select the iCloud Photos checkbox.


To switch between your Libraries, double click the library in the Finder that you want to open in Photos.

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,327 points

Jan 21, 2019 2:52 AM in response to Gina_2166

You can have several Photos Libraries. You just have to name them differently to keep them apart.

Using multiple Photos Libraries is explained on this Help page, see: Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


To create a new library for iCloud,

  • launch Photos while holding down the options key ⌥. Keep holding down this key until the Library Chooser dialog appears.
  • Select "new" to create a different library. Give it a different name from your main Desktop Library.


To make the new library your iCloud Library see this page: Use iCloud Photos to store photos in iCloud - Apple Support

  • While browsing the new library: First open the Photos > Preferences > General and click "Use as System Photo Library", because only the System Photos Library can sync with iCloud.
  • If you’re not already signed in to iCloud, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID and password. 
  1. In the Photos app  on your Mac, choose Photos > Preferences, then click iCloud.
  2. Select the iCloud Photos checkbox.


To switch between your Libraries, double click the library in the Finder that you want to open in Photos.

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migrating photos to desktop from cloud without replacing old/alternate library currently on desktop

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