Can I create a photos library on an exFat format external hard disc?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can I create a photos library on an exFat format external hard disc?

Hi, I am trying to back up photos from my phone to a hard disc as it is taking up a lot of space on my phone. Just wondering if can I create a photos library on an exFat format external hard disc as I require to read & write file in the hard disc on windows computer as well.

My old iphotos library had crashed and I couldn't retrieve my old photos from my hard disc, not sure if there is something to do with the format of my disc drive as their were working fine previously.

MacBook Air 11", macOS 10.13

Posted on May 13, 2019 11:37 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

léonie

Level 10

195,031 points

May 14, 2019 1:30 AM in response to sumon3uDunno

A Photos Library needs to be on a drive with the file system format MacOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS. It will not work safely on a drive with the exFat format. Has your old Photos Library been on the exFAT drive? Then move it to a correctly formatted drive or portion and try to repair it.

See: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

You could try to create a separate portion on the drive with the MacOS Extended (Journaled) format and create the new Photos Library there.

Reply

Answer 2

sumon3uDunno Author

Level 1

8 points

May 14, 2019 6:07 PM in response to léonie

Hi Léoníe, yes my old library is in drive with the exFat format. I've just partition my hard disc to have MacOs Extended (Journaled), will move my old library and try to repair it tonight :) thank you very much for your help :)

Reply

Can I create a photos library on an exFat format external hard disc?

Similar questions