vr8ce
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can Yosemite use a Photos library as screen saver?

I still have my iPhoto library on my machine, but I've imported all of the photos into a Photos library. I thought I'd cut ties the with iPhoto library, so I deleted it. At that point, though, Yosemite's screen saver no longer gives me options for my photos as options. When I put the iPhoto library back, they showed up again.

 

So, can Yosemite not use a Photos library for the screen saver?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Aug 20, 2015 6:41 PM

by appreciate,Apple recommended
appreciate appreciate
Level 4 (1,276 points)
Mac OS X
A:

You can follow an apple article : Designate a System Photo Library in Photos - Apple Support

Posted on Jul 3, 2016 10:13 PM

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vr8ce

Q: Can Yosemite use a Photos library as screen saver?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by FoxFifth,

    FoxFifth FoxFifth Aug 20, 2015 6:45 PM in response to vr8ce
    Level 7 (27,678 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 20, 2015 6:45 PM in response to vr8ce

    Yes. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver and select Screen Saver at the top of that window and then Photo Library as Source and it will give you the choice of Photos or iPhoto.

  • by vr8ce,

    vr8ce vr8ce Aug 20, 2015 6:49 PM in response to FoxFifth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 20, 2015 6:49 PM in response to FoxFifth

    No. When I said "Yosemite's screen saver no longer gives me options," that's what I was referring to — there are no options for Photo Library as source. The only options in the dropdown are the Default Collections and Folder.

  • by FoxFifth,

    FoxFifth FoxFifth Aug 20, 2015 6:56 PM in response to vr8ce
    Level 7 (27,678 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 20, 2015 6:56 PM in response to vr8ce

    Sorry, in response to "So, can Yosemite not use a Photos library for the screen saver?" --- I was trying to say that Yes, Yosemite can use Photos Library as a screensaver. It does in my case. "Photo Library ..." is in the list immediately below "Choose Folder" and when I open that, both Photos and iPhoto are available as choices. In other words, Yosemite CAN do it -- not sure why it is not available in your case.

  • by vr8ce,

    vr8ce vr8ce Aug 22, 2015 9:21 AM in response to FoxFifth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2015 9:21 AM in response to FoxFifth

    Hmmm. Well, then the quest becomes figuring out why it's not working. Without the iPhoto library present, only the Photos library, then the "Source: " dropdown shows only the four choices under "Default Collections" (National Geo, Aerial, Cosmos, Nature Patterns), a divider, and "Choose Folder".

     

    If I rename the iPhoto library, then the "Photo Library" choice (and the album I use) immediately reappear in the dropdown. (By "immediately" I mean I've closed the Desktop/Screen Saver dialog and re-opened it, and the dropdown is now correct.)

     

    Opening Photos opens the library without a problem, and I can do anything in Photos that I've tried. It doesn't appear to be a problem with the library itself.

    I tried rebooting, same behavior after.

    I've tried putting the Photos library in the "normal" place (~/Pictures; I keep my media in a separate partition), but that didn't help, either. (The iPhoto library is not in ~/Pictures, it's in my other partition, and it works fine.)

     

    Does anyone have any other ideas on what to try?

  • by MacNoviceRU12,

    MacNoviceRU12 MacNoviceRU12 Jan 30, 2016 4:17 AM in response to vr8ce
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 30, 2016 4:17 AM in response to vr8ce

    I'm having the same problem.  Photo Library is not listed as a source for the screen saver.

    My Photos Library and iPhoto Library reside under Users > Shared since my wife and I have different User accounts but want to maintain the same photo library.

    I've tried selecting the Photos Library and iPhoto Library via Source: Choose Folder, but it doesn't allow me to select either of them (they are grayed out).

     

    Does anybody have a solution?

  • by Sir_Lonny,

    Sir_Lonny Sir_Lonny Jun 22, 2016 4:01 PM in response to MacNoviceRU12
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Jun 22, 2016 4:01 PM in response to MacNoviceRU12

    Ive had the same problem until I stumbled upon this. Select Dropdown > Choose Folder > Right Click Desired Photo Library > Quick Look  (which for some reason highlights/unlocks Photo Application) > close down Quick Look window > Select Choose. Should have Photos Library in Source Dropdown.

  • by kmrice2803,

    kmrice2803 kmrice2803 Jul 3, 2016 8:58 PM in response to Sir_Lonny
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Jul 3, 2016 8:58 PM in response to Sir_Lonny

    Same issue as you describe, but there is no amount of Right-clicking that allows selecting a Photos Library. Also, Quck View is not available from the Screen saver Drop down Menu. Please explain with more detail. Thanks

  • by appreciate,Apple recommended

    appreciate appreciate Jul 3, 2016 10:13 PM in response to vr8ce
    Level 4 (1,276 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 3, 2016 10:13 PM in response to vr8ce

    You can follow an apple article : Designate a System Photo Library in Photos - Apple Support

  • by Hiker60,

    Hiker60 Hiker60 Oct 4, 2016 6:43 AM in response to vr8ce
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 4, 2016 6:43 AM in response to vr8ce

    This worked for me ... End of frustration