I currently have my iPhoto library and separate copies of the photos. As this is doubling up on everything, I was wondering how safe the iPhoto library actually is? Is total corruption possible and then if I didn't have separate files elsewhere all would be lost? What are your thoughts?
ℹ😐
iMac, Mac OS X (10.0.x)
Your iPhoto library is as safe as any folder with photos on your Mac.
But you have to keep backups of your photos, just like of any other documents, because
So it is essential, that you have a good backup of all files on your computer, for example a Time Machine backup, and keep a copy of your iPhoto library on a second drive. If you only keep copies of the photos you do not have a copy of the edits and titles or keywords you added, so you just could recover the photos, but not the work you invested.
Thank you for the response. I now understand thanks to you! I have realised that the iPhoto library is in fact a container which can be opened. So backups it is and less wasted disc space!
Many thanks
🙂
You're welcome! 🙂
yes, the iPhoto Library is a bundled package, disguised as a single file. And iPhoto is maintaining the databases inside, that describe how the edited versions, originals, thumbnails are related. Be very careful, when you access the files inside. Just look, don't modify.
Terence Devlin has written some very useful user tips, that describe the iPhoto Library: See the links below:
Is the iPhoto Library Safe?
