Create new photo library on Mac that is not copied to iCloud

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Level 1

22 points

Create new photo library on Mac that is not copied to iCloud

I have a large # of photos that I want to store on my Mac, but not have copied to iCloud. However, I also want to have access to my iCloud photos that I take on my iPhone. I found that I can create a new photos library (using option-click photos), but that is not a good solution because it doesn't allow me to access both my local and iCloud photos easily (e.g., I want to be able to copy between the 2, and quitting photos, going into options, changing library, etc is not the most user friendly process.)

Is there an easy way to do this?

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 21, 2019 12:29 PM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,735 points

Apr 21, 2019 12:46 PM in response to Folsom

You can easily switch between two libraries by double clicking the library you want to open. But I would not change the iCloud settings and the system photo library. This would continually require a new upload to iCloud.

You need to keep the photos, that you want to see in the Media Browser in your system photo library, so keep your favorite photos in this library. And only the system Photo Library can sync with iCloud. Keep all other photos in a second library as an archive. I am keeping all photos in this archive library, including duplicates of the photos from my iCloud Photos Library. To archive new photos and videos I am simply exporting them from my iCloud Photos Library and importing them to the archive. Originally I tried to use Power Photos to move photos between libraries, but that will not work for me, because Power Photos cannot move Live Photos, and I have quite a few Live Photos in my library.

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Answer 2

léonie

Level 10

200,735 points

Apr 21, 2019 1:30 PM in response to Folsom

To move items between two libraries you need "File > export > export unmodified original" or "File > export > export ... photos" or you will not have any control over the quality of photos tat will be moved to the other library. Using "Copy and paste" would be a game of chance. Copy and paste will save the current preview of the photo, and tat may be a downsized version of lesser quality.

You will want to transfer photos at the full resolution.

The full, paid version of Power Photos can move photos between Photos Libraries, but it cannot move Live Photos.

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Answer 3

Folsom Author

Level 1

22 points

Apr 21, 2019 1:20 PM in response to léonie

Double-clicking on the folder is an easier way to switch, but it still is not smooth - I get prompted about whether I want to switch, which is annoying, and I cannot have 2 instances of the photos app. And, from what I can tell, I cannot copy photos from one library, then switch to the other library, and then paste. I guess I could copy from one library to desktop, then switch to other library, then move from desktop to the other library; just means what should be a 1-step operation takes 4 steps. I am new to the Mac, so very possible I am missing something, but so far not an easy process.

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Create new photo library on Mac that is not copied to iCloud

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