HT204410: Adjust the size of your Photos library to store it in iCloud Photo Library

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keithfromnz

Q: merging multiple photo libraries

I have multiple Photo Libraries (some derived from previous back-ups)

How do I "merge" them so that I can delete multiple copies and reduce to just 1 library?

 

Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4), An ALL Mac user! Phs, MacMinis, iPad

Posted on Jul 19, 2015 4:26 PM

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Q: merging multiple photo libraries

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  • by markwmsn,Helpful

    markwmsn markwmsn Jul 19, 2015 4:41 PM in response to keithfromnz
    Level 5 (5,659 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 19, 2015 4:41 PM in response to keithfromnz

    That function does not currently exist in the Photos application. As far as I know, no third-party utility offers that function either.

     

    You can sort of do it manually by exporting pictures from all but one library, then importing them into the library you want to retain. I say "sort of" because any metadata not contained in the photos themselves will be lost. Examples would be face information, flags, picture adjustments not saved back int the originals.

  • by keithfromnz,

    keithfromnz keithfromnz Jul 19, 2015 4:47 PM in response to markwmsn
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 19, 2015 4:47 PM in response to markwmsn

    Thanks very much. Just to clarify though; when you say "export" then "import", can you elaborate please?

    I'm looking at a 3rd party app now called "PowerPhotos" (by FatCatsoftware) and their "sister"? app, "if Library manager".

    Has anyone used or can comment?

  • by markwmsn,Helpful

    markwmsn markwmsn Jul 19, 2015 5:45 PM in response to markwmsn
    Level 5 (5,659 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 19, 2015 5:45 PM in response to markwmsn

    There are third-party utilities that can merge iPhoto libraries. Some of their developers are creating versions or new programs that work on Photos libraries. The expectation is that some day their new versions or new programs will gain a merge function, but today we don't know when.

     

    When I say "exporting ... then importing" I mean a sequence like the following:

    1. Pick a destination library; call it "D".

    2. Pick a library that you want to merge into D; call it "S1."

    3. Open S1. (Quit Photos; start Photos while holding down the Option key and select S1 to open.)

    4. Select some or all pictures in S1.

    5. Use File > Export... > Export Unmodified Originals (or Export nnn Photos) to place copies of the original (or modified) pictures into a temporary Finder folder.

    6. Open D. (Quit Photos; start Photos while holding down the Option key and select D to open.)

    7. Use File > Import... to bring the pictures in the temporary Finder folder into library D.

    8. Repeat steps 2...7 for source libraries S2, S3, ... until all the pictures you want in D are in D.