Transfer iPhoto library from old to new computer

To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:

Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network,Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...

But however you do choose to link the two machines...

Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.

Then launch iPhoto. That's it.

This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.

Terence,

When you say wireless you are not talking about the bluetooth exchange right? It seeing the other computer on Finder, opening a window and dragging and dropping the pictures folder, this will copy it over and keep original on old computer?

Would it be quicker via Firewire?

When you say wireless you are not talking about the bluetooth exchange right?

Right

It seeing the other computer on Finder, opening a window and dragging and dropping the pictures folder, this will copy it over and keep original on old computer?

Right

Would it be quicker via Firewire?

yes

LN

iPhoto: How to move the Library folder to a new location - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1229

How do you "copy" the file from the external had drive to the new imac? Sorry--i konw this is probably a basic question, but we have over 45,000 pics on ours.

As I said above:

Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.

So, go to the Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there, and drag that to the new machine.

Regards

TD

thanks...was not sure if dragging a file of that size from the external hard drive to the new imac would work.

Thanks again.

Perry

another quick question...what do i do with the original iphoto library on the new imac?

Is there anything in it? If not, then trash it and replace it with the one you're moving.

If there is, post back - there are a number of options.

Regards

TD

there is nothing in it at all. So i can delete it first, then drag the new one over...thank you!!!

Perry

Hi Terence,

Actually I want to transfer my iPhoto library in my old computer to my new computer, however, I already have quite a few photos in my new computer iPhoto library. Could you tell me how to do it without replacing anything? I would appreciate it.

Best regards,

midori

Rename the library on the new computer to something other that iPhoto Library. Copy the old library into the Pictures folder with the new library.

Now get the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager and merge the new library into the old library. That will keep your metadatra intact. The following is a screenshot of iPLM's Photo Copying preferences showing what will be copied along with the photo:

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT import one library into another. That is absolutely the wrong process to use.

OT

Thank you OT! It was great help!

Best,

midori

@ Terence

Thanks for the advice Terence!

I tried connecting my MacBook Pro (source) and new Mac Mini (destination) via my local wireless network using the Shared Screen feature. I dragged my iPhoto library from the Photos folder on the finder in my MBP into the Photos folder in the finder on my Mac Mini and the transfer began. Things looked good, if sorta slow. But, when I came back to see how the copy was progressing after about an hour the download bar displayed, "Download failed." Not sure why. 60GB of photos too much for wireless transfer? I don't think my network went down during this time. Whatev.

I decided that this wireless process was too slow anyway and so transferred the entire iPhoto library on my MBP to a separate hard drive (another option you proposed). That took about 10 minutes via firewire 800. I then connected that hard drive to my Mac Mini and dragged the iPhoto Library on the hard drive into the Photos folder in the finder on the MIni. In another 10 minutes or so I was done and my Mini had a complete (and as far as I can tell perfect) copy of the photo collection that was on my MBP about 20 minutes earlier.

Both machines running OSX v10.8.3 and iPhoto v9.4.3.

It was a good day to copy pictures. 🙂

This helped a lot! Just transferred 36 GB of photos from my Mac Air to my Mac Pro tower using wifi. Took a few hours, but all went well. Then merged the libraries using Aperture. Worked very smoothly, without a hitch. Thanks for the info!