Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

where are my photo files stored in a macbook pro?

I can't find my photos on my mcbook without going to iphoto.

for example if i want to created folders or move them to an external hardrive how can i do this?

I have looked a tutorial but they all they i should see a "macintosh" folder in my device in finder.. but i can't see that , i dont have it..

I don't even know how to access my hardrive now..

thanks for your help

i am new to the mac world

MacBook Pro with Retina display

Posted on Feb 4, 2014 1:08 PM

Reply
14 replies

Feb 4, 2014 1:44 PM in response to luckyluce

You can always locate any photo in iPhoto. Select the photo in iPhoto, and choose File/Reveal in Finder. This will switch to the desktop and open the folder where the photo is actually stored. From there you can drag to copy it to another drive. (You could actually drag the photo straight from iPhoto to the window of the other drive, and it will copy the photo. You don't actually have to know where the photo file itself is stored. You could also select the photo in iPhoto and choose File/Export to send a copy to the other drive. So there are lots of ways to do it)


Just don't move or delete the original photo file because iPhoto needs to find it where it left it. Otherwise it gets confused.

May 3, 2014 11:02 AM in response to MattScarp

Your problem may not be exactly the same as that of the original poster of this thread, and it can be very confusing for everybody if we try to answer more than one question in each thread.


In order for us to give your problem our undivided attention to try to solve it, would you kindly start your own thread, describing the trouble you are having in the fullest detail, including completing your details to show what Mac or iDevice you are using, what operating system, and what version of the application in question. Please remember to post in the forum relevant to your hardware or version of OS X.

May 3, 2014 12:06 PM in response to MattScarp

When you go to All Files, there should be a section called Images. Any images, whether they are inside iPhoto or outside iPhoto, should be listed in there too. But I don't like All Files view because it's too much stuff at once. (My All Files shows me thousands of pictures.)


Instead, do this test: Do you know any of the file names of the photos you put into iPhoto? Click the Spotlight icon and type in that filename. When it comes up, click Show All in Finder at the top.


Now you see a list of the files. Click one and do a File/Get Info. Now you can see the exact path to the exact folder where that photo lives.


We found that file without opening iPhoto at all, even though it is only stored inside the iPhoto Library.


User uploaded file


This is how it's supposed to work. If it isn't working this way, I'm not sure what's wrong, or you should double-check your steps.

May 3, 2014 12:11 PM in response to MattScarp

MattScarp wrote:


That's a very good question Matthew.. the answer is to change your prefrences under finder. Change the sidebar options to show what is actually important, like users and the picture folder, which should already be preset but is not.

I don't think this is a correct answer. If you change the Finder preferences to show the Pictures folder, all that does is show the Pictures folder in the sidebar, which means if you click it, it opens the Pictures folder. It does not display individual photos on your Mac (which was the actual question)


MattScarp wrote:


Otherwise, you probably won't be able to locate them through finder.

No, because changing the preference does not hide photos files in the Finder, does not hide the Pictures folder in the Finder and it does not change how Spotlight search finds pictures, especially those stored outside the Pictures folder. The preference only affects the sidebar; the Pictures folder and the photo files are still browseable in normal Finder windows no matter how you set that pref.

May 3, 2014 12:17 PM in response to luckyluce

Network23 has the best way of looking for the photos without using iphoto but if you want to know where iphoto puts them (At least on Mountain Lion anyway), they are stored in the iphoto library in your pictures folder (~/username/Pictures). If you have the finder view set to split the items up by type, iphoto library will be listed under the documents type. This is a container for the pictures so to see the pictures you will need to control-click the library and select "Show package Contents". The photos are listed in the "Master" folder. This folder has a year folder whch then contains the month folder which then has your images in a date-time folder format. Open the folder for day and time that you are looking for and your images will be listed there.


But as Network23 said, using finder all or the search tool is the easiest way to access the photos

Nov 27, 2015 9:05 AM in response to luckyluce

Hi,

I have finally figured out where the heck these files are 😀


You need to browse into Finder->Pictures


you'll find a file named "Photos Library.photoslibrary"


Then you just need to use "two finger click" or commonly known as "Right Click" to open up the side menu here.


You'll see "Show Package Contents"


This will open up a new structure of folders within it.

Look for the folder named as "Masters"


Bingo!!!


Cheers,


➕deathdater➖


<Edited By Host>

where are my photo files stored in a macbook pro?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.