Can I delete my iPhoto Library after migrating to Photos?

I have the exactly the same problem. But when upgrading it created in total three libraries?!!!? This is very unlike Apple to do this. What to do?

You may delete the iPhoto Library. This will not damage the Photos library. But it won't recover as much disk space as you think.

Ok, thanks..But why are there two Photos libraries?!?

No idea.

This may be too late, but there is no need to delete other library, see this article:

Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support

Neilster,

I just arrived here from that article. Funny, even though the article makes it clear that Photos doesn't COPY and create a second library, thereby doubling the storage space, it doesn't address the nagging question; should a user keep his iPhoto library, as an eyesore, even after migrating to Photos. Yes I can see why Apple might have done it this way - just in case people wanted to use iPhotos post migration just for some reason. But let's say I have completely made up my mind to move to Photos, why would I want to keep the second alias (so to speak) around?! The way I answered this question was to move my iPhoto library to the Trash (so I could bring it back in case, Photos said it couldn't find the referenced iPhoto library!). Photos didn't complain so I went ahead and deleted the iPhoto library. Now my mind doesn't bother me anymore 🙂

The reason Apple does not answer this is that it is a personal choice - you can keep it or delete - your choice

However I suggest keeping it since going back is almost impossible if you delete it and simple if you keep it - and deleting ti save very little space so for me (and I believe most people) the better decision is to keep both for a while

LN

Rather than deleting the iPhoto Library I tried to copy it on an external drive prior to deleting it on my hard drive. It does not allow the coping process. I thought copying is the best of both worlds, freeing space on my computer and having a backup in case I ever needed. How can I copy the folder?

Moving iPhoto Library to an external location:

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2506?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Before doing so, make sure that the external drive is formatted as HFS Extended (Journaled).

Step 5 of the article referenced below explains why you could get a 2nd Library…

Step 5: If the Photos Library is empty as confirmed in Step 3, delete the Photos Library database from ~/Pictures. We do this to avoid having multiple libraries for the Photos app, and to prevent weird names like “Photo Library 2”

Source:

Moving iPhoto library to Photos app

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/04/09/migrate-iphoto-library-photos-app/

I came upon this tread as I was looking into how to move the photo library from my flash memory, to the hard drive, in an iMac that has the Apple fusion Drive. I am not sure if I move the original iphoto library, or the new photo library. They both reside on the flash memory now. Anyone with experience with this?

You move whichever one you want to move. What are you trying to achieve?

I am just wanting to move a large library to the terrabyte disk. If photos links back to the iphoto library, then I would move iphoto, or both. Or, if deleting iphoto library does no harm, then that could go. It is slightly confusing/unnerving that the same library shows up on the Pictures folder of both the flash drive disk and the hard disk, even though it resides on one.

I am just wanting to move a large library to the terrabyte disk.

When you copy the library to the external HD you are creating a second copy of it and there are no links back to the original files on the boot drive. Once the copying is completed open that library to make sure it's working as it should before delete the original library from the boot drive.

Also make sure the EHD is formatted as shown in this screenshot:

and is connected to your Mac via USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt cable.

It is slightly confusing/unnerving that the same library shows up on the Pictures folder of both the flash drive disk and the hard disk, even though it resides on one.

No, if it shows up in both Pictures Folders then it is in both.