Transferring large photo album iPhone 17?

Question

Level 1

5 points

Transferring large photo album iPhone 17?

Im trying to transfer a large number of images from my Mac mini to my iPhone 17.

It's approx 2500 photos (10GB). I cannot use airdrop (too many). I cannot use iCloud as my computer as approx 1TB (150k) photos on it, and I only want one album.

I have tried exporting to USB C memory stick, copying to iPhone files, then saving, however it keeps freezing, and only saves +- 80 photos at a time.

There does not appear to be an "import" button on my iPhone photos app anymore.

How does one go about importing a large album to their iPhone?

Seems ridiculous that its not possible unless in very small batches at a time?

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 3:01 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

léonie

Level 10

200,525 points

Dec 14, 2025 3:18 AM in response to Garethabroad

You could make a second Photos Library on your Mac mini, with just the photos you want on your iPhone. Then enable iCloud Photos for this small Photos Library. Only one library at a time will sync with iCloud Photos. The photos from all other Photos Libraries will remain local on your Mac.

Either export the photos from the album, then create a new library, then import the exported photos, see: Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support (EG)

Or duplicate your existing Photos Library and delete all photos from the library, that are not in the album. Delete the photos also from Recently Deleted.

To find and delete only all photos not in your album a smart album will help. Set it up with the rule "Album > is not > the name of your album with selected photos".

Then make this copy the iCloud Photos Library. Use iCloud Photos on Mac - Apple Support (EG)

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 14, 2025 8:29 AM in response to Garethabroad

Garethabroad wrote: … saves +- 80 photos at a time.

On an America Keyboard, ± is option-shift + ( ⌥⇧+ ) You can use the System Settings "Show Input menu in menu bar" to make it easy to find alternate symbols.

You didn't say if you are already using iCloud Photos. If you are, then the new System Library that léonie suggested that you create will add pictures to iCloud, not replace the ones there, and the current iCloud set will transfer back to your new Library. If this takes too much storage, then you may need to temporarily buy more storage at iCloud, and then turn on Optimize Storage on for the Mac until you get it all settled out.

Reply