kc806

Q: how to share photos between user accounts on same mac

I want to share photos between user accounts.  I don't want to have copies but just for 2 user accounts to access to the photos.  Is this possible?

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Jun 23, 2015 5:45 PM

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Q: how to share photos between user accounts on same mac

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  • by LarryHN,Apple recommended

    LarryHN LarryHN Jun 23, 2015 6:55 PM in response to kc806
    Level 10 (84,217 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 23, 2015 6:55 PM in response to kc806

    Only using an external hard drive with ownership ignored for the library - same as iPhoto - iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users - Apple Support

     

    LN

  • by HugoZHackenbush,

    HugoZHackenbush HugoZHackenbush Jan 4, 2016 4:26 PM in response to kc806
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2016 4:26 PM in response to kc806

    I had a problem after setting up the Photo library for each user as System Photo Library. This makes sense if different family members use the same machine and each has their own photos and you want to have the photos stored together in the same library.

     

    When a user would open the library, they would get a message about the library to the effect that it was locked by another program and asked to choose a different photo library. Turns out, if you designate one library as a System Photo Library for multiple accounts on the same mac, it can only be used by one user at a time even if Photos is not active. To remedy this, make sure all users are logged out before switching to your account

     

    I haven't tested this out with iCloud Photos turned on. We just store our photos on the mac and an online backup service.