How to transfer photos?

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Level 1

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How to transfer photos?

HDD is full, how to transfer photos to the external HDD? I am used to "Move to" from Windows PC, but I am not finding my way out on iMac. I've tried export but get the error every time?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.4

Posted on Jun 14, 2022 6:00 AM

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Answer 1

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léonie

Level 10

200,531 points

Jun 14, 2022 6:08 AM in response to ZuleNL

What is the error message you are getting?

To transfer your photos to the external HDD drag the Photos Library from your Pictures folder to the external HDD.

The external HDD should be prepared as described here: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

ZuleNL Author

Level 1

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Jun 14, 2022 1:20 PM in response to ZuleNL

I've found the problem...the new HDD (WD Elements) comes as Mac compatible plug & play, but it comes as NTFS format, which only supports windows as read & write...so I couldn't write on it. Erasing the HDD in Disk Utility and changing the format to ExFat (bot WIN & Mac) I was able to use it as described above!

Thanks Leonie for your help!

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

200,531 points

Jun 14, 2022 8:32 PM in response to ZuleNL

With ExFAT you may be running into problems; you can use it for single files on Mac and PC, but not for photo libraries. A Photos Library is a package of images and database files and linked working copies. If the format of the file system is not MacOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS, the internal references may be broken and you are risking data loss. If you want to use the external drive both with a Mac and Windows, consider to partition it, one partition with ExFAT for sharing data between the two systems, and one with MacOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS to store your Photos Library safely.

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Answer 4

ZuleNL Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 14, 2022 10:09 AM in response to léonie

Thanks Léonie,

I got so far, but for some reason my new HDD does not accept them? It could be the HDD setting I guess, it works on my old windows laptop but on iMac I can only read and not write, despite the admin rights. Any ideas what can it be?

Thanks,

Alex

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How to transfer photos?

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