Q: Is it safe to delete iPhoto library?
I have the Photos for Mac app up and running under OS X 10.10.4. I'm not all that impressed with it but I suppose I will have to learn to live with it.
I've just discovered, though, that I'm now running out of storage space on my HD, and I think this is because I have a fairly large iPhoto library AND and even larger Photos library. Between them they take up about 100GB.
Are these merely duplicates of each other?
Assuming I'm happy to stick with the Photos app, and I uninstall iPhoto, is it safe to simply move the iPhoto library to trash?
ie. If I do that, will my iPhoto Events folder still remain safe and visible and accessible in Photos for Mac?
Thanks in advance.
MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)
Posted on Jul 8, 2015 6:15 AM
I've just discovered, though, that I'm now running out of storage space on my HD, and I think this is because I have a fairly large iPhoto library AND and even larger Photos library. Between them they take up about 100GB.
Are these merely duplicates of each other?
if you migrated the iPhoto Library to Photos, the photos are only stored once. The original image files and previews are shared by both libraries via hard links. See: Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support
Both libraries will show as large file size in the Finder, but are actually using less space than shown.
You will not gain much free space by deleting the iPhoto Library.
It is safe to delete the library, but don't burn all bridges in a hurry. At least make a backup copy of the library. If you find any problems with the migrated library, it may be necessary to revert to the iPhoto Library to fix this. And don't uninstall iPhoto. Apple stopped selling it, and it might be difficult to get it back, if you need it.
Posted on Jul 8, 2015 6:57 AM