In order to free up space on my Macbook I started using Onedrive for my photos. I find the application not ideal, so I want to start using iCloud Photos instead. My question is: how do I safely transfer my photo library on Onedrive back to the System Photo Library on my Macbook?
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15
Hi
When you say photos on one drive, do you mean an actual photos library was stored on onedrive? Or did you export individual image files (eg jpg file) to store on one drive.
If you have individual photo files on one drive, these can simply be imported into photos (File>import)
If you have a second library that you want to merge with your system library, that is more tricky. See this user tip from Leonie for your options.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000662
Or you can wait for the next version of macos which reportedly can transfer images between libraries natively within the photos app. If you are going to wait though move your library off dropbox. It is not a compatible location for a photos library, and continuing running it there will potentially damage your library causing loss of your photos.
Hi
When you say photos on one drive, do you mean an actual photos library was stored on onedrive? Or did you export individual image files (eg jpg file) to store on one drive.
If you have individual photo files on one drive, these can simply be imported into photos (File>import)
If you have a second library that you want to merge with your system library, that is more tricky. See this user tip from Leonie for your options.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000662
Or you can wait for the next version of macos which reportedly can transfer images between libraries natively within the photos app. If you are going to wait though move your library off dropbox. It is not a compatible location for a photos library, and continuing running it there will potentially damage your library causing loss of your photos.
Sorry - mixed up onedrive and dropbox - neither are compatible locations.
If your system library is empty then all is easy.
Delete your system library. (There is no risk doing this - if it is empty. And photos does not require a system library)
Copy your onedrive library to the pictures folder.
Open it (Option key while starting photos)
Open photos preferences.
Click "use as system photos library"
Job done.
(you may need to repair the library after it being stored on onedrive (fixes permissions)
Thanks Tony, that was very helpful. I just signed out of Onedrive, and all my photos are visible in the Photo app. Also, I can now store my photos in iCloud, so I think it worked out well.
Thanks again!
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. My System Photo Library is empty; Onedrive currently contains my photo library. I currently have access to all of my photos, it looks exactly the same as if the photos were in the System Photo Library, except for the System Photo Library takes up 0 storage. I guess I better wait for the next OS version before touching anything. It was already tricky enough to move the photo library to Onedrive, even with detailed support from youtube and google.
I don't use Dropbox, not sure why you mentioned that?
Transferring photos from Onedrive back to the System Photo Library
