Copy referenced files into a Photos library

I ran a test to confirm my previous post. I couldn't get the library to import a photo in referenced mode from a memory card even with the preferences set to do so. It would import normally as a managed file.

However, a photo already on the hard drive would import as referenced.

So it seems that the newer Photos has some built in protection from referenced photos from memory cards, iPhones or cameras directly connected to the Mac are not lost when the source is remove. Good feature.

With the settings you are using, Photos will add a reference to the imported photo to your current library. But the original image file of the photo is stored outside the library. The referenced photos will not sync to your other devices, you will only se the in your local library

Then check, if the photos have really been imported as referenced.

For a referenced photo the command "File > Show Referenced File in Finder" should be active. If it has been imported as managed, the option will be grayed out.

If photos are referenced, they will turn up in a smart album with the rule "Photo is referenced".

File > New smart album

The Photos > Preference >General "Importing: Copy items into the Photos Library" has to turned off, before you start importing. Perhaps the photos that are now in iCloud have been imported, before you disabled the option. Or you did not yet delete an earlier manned import completely.

When I have referenced photos in my Photos Library, they do not upload to iCloud. They may even cause the iCloud sync to hang completely, until I remove them from the library.

Copy items into the Photos Library". However, when I first copied an image from the SD card to the computer's drive (in the Pictures folder), the image was loaded as a referenced photo.

That's a new and improve feature preventing reference files from being removed from use, i.e. remove the memory card and erase it, leaving the library missing it's referenced source files. Reference files must be on the hard drive before they can be imported. Also one should make sure they are stored where they will remain before importing.