HT204655: Updating from iPhoto to Photos for OS X

Learn about Updating from iPhoto to Photos for OS X
Take2pm
Level 1 (4 points)
Wireless

Q: Can you use the new photos library for iPhoto to save space

I want to use the same library for photos and iPhoto because that way it will use a fraction of the space. Is that possible.

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), iOS 8.3

Posted on Apr 28, 2015 11:26 AM

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Take2pm

Q: Can you use the new photos library for iPhoto to save space

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  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Apr 29, 2015 10:10 AM in response to Take2pm
    Level 10 (141,721 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 29, 2015 10:10 AM in response to Take2pm

    When you open the iPhoto library with Photos for the first time it will convert it to a Photos library.  However, there is not a duplication of files or lost space on the HD. This is because the Photos library uses hard links to the original files in the iPhoto Library thus not duplicating files or taking up more space on the HD even though it may see so in the Finder. 

     

    I suggest you keep the iPhoto application and library until you're sure the Photos app and library will suit your needs.  Photos is missing many features that iPhoto has which many of rely on heavily.  You may find that Photos isn't for you right now and you want to continue using iPhoto until those missing features are restored. 

    OTsig.png

  • by Masw1,

    Masw1 Masw1 May 4, 2015 8:29 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2015 8:29 PM in response to Old Toad

    Hi,

     

    In Finder, I have two separate albums now.  iPhoto library and Photo library.  My HD has double in size.  Not sure if it is just me.

     

    iMac (21.5" Mid 2010), iOS 10.10.3

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 4, 2015 8:35 PM in response to Masw1
    Level 10 (85,678 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 4, 2015 8:35 PM in response to Masw1

    No there is not double the size - just double counting on the same photos - see Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support

     

    Photo is only there once but looks like double due to the hard links

     

    LN

  • by Masw1,

    Masw1 Masw1 May 4, 2015 8:43 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2015 8:43 PM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks Larry,

     

    It's just that my Time Machine backup is not recognising it as one library.  TM says that I have run out of space.   

     

    Masw

     

    iMac (21.5" Mid 2010), iOS 10.10.3

  • by Take2pm,

    Take2pm Take2pm May 4, 2015 8:55 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    May 4, 2015 8:55 PM in response to Old Toad

    Thanx! That is good to know. What I would really like to do is have my iPhoto library in iCloud drop. So That I can share the album and load and change events from my macbook and iMac. I tried to drag and drop it, and it started to upload but stoped and it wouldn't load. Any Ideas? Other than DropBox.

  • by Terence Devlin,Helpful

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin May 7, 2015 5:39 AM in response to Take2pm
    Level 10 (139,597 points)
    iLife
    May 7, 2015 5:39 AM in response to Take2pm

    You cannot have your iPhoto Library on any Cloud service, end of story. It will be corrupted if you do.