HT204259: If Photos won't open a library that you already migrated

Learn about If Photos won't open a library that you already migrated
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Q: Can I delete iPhoto Library if my photos have migrated to Photos Library?

Is there any reason I shouldn't delete iPhoto Library from my macbook pro if my photos have migrated to Photos Library?  I'm running OSX Yosemite 10.10.4. 

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 12, 2015 9:01 AM

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Q: Can I delete iPhoto Library if my photos have migrated to Photos Library?

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  • by léonie,Apple recommended

    léonie léonie Jul 12, 2015 9:16 AM in response to kcmecom
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    iLife
    Jul 12, 2015 9:16 AM in response to kcmecom
    Is there any reason I shouldn't delete iPhoto Library from my macbook pro if my photos have migrated to Photos Library?  I'm running OSX Yosemite 10.10.4.

    You can - Photos will work without the iPhoto Library.  But why would you want to?  You will not save much space by doing this.

    It only looks like you were using twice the space in the Finder.  All original image files and previews in the new Photos library are hard link copies of your photos in the iPhoto library. The original and the copy are using the same blocks on your drive, but look in the Finder like identical files of the same size.

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

    and Six Colors: The (hard) link between Photos and iPhoto

     

    I would not burn all bridges by deleting the iPhoto Library just now - you may regret it later. At least keep a backup copy of you iPhoto  library.  We have seen several reports were it has been necessary to repeat the migration of the Photos library from the original iPhoto library, because the problems could only be fixed in iPhoto.

    And Photos does not yet support all features of iPhoto.  You may want to add location data to photos or edit books or calendars you created in iPhoto, or batch change titles or captions.