Is it possible to add a network folder to Apple Photos?
I have a NAS where I store my pictures. Far too many to store on my MacBook Air. But, I want to be able to see the photos in the Apple Photos app.
MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
Question marked as
It may be possible but don't do it.
- You can't put a Photos library on a NAS. The disk format is wrong and Photos is not designed for network access.
- You could, theoretically, run Photos in Referenced Mode (where the images are not copied to the library on import), and try store the masters on your NAS. This is a recipe for disaster. Photos does not have the tools to manage this step-up, and should the path to the files change (and in communicating with a NAS, it will) then you will find the link to the files broken and each one will need to be recreated one-by-one.
So, frankly, if you want to use a NAS, you need a different application to manage your images.