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)
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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
You can follow an apple article : Designate a System Photo Library in Photos - Apple Support
This worked for me ... End of frustration 🙂
My apologies, Dropdown is the effect when the Tab situated on the right side of the word 'Source' is selected. I got ahead of my self (I spent an hour trying to figure the appropriate name as i am not high tech.) I shall start at the very beginning.
1. Select the little apple logo top left of your screen.
2. Go into 'System Preferences'.
3. Now select 'Desktop & Screen Saver' (top row, second from the left).
4. You will now see the Desktop & Screen Saver window settings, please select 'Screen Saver' Tab on the right side of the Desktop tab.
5 Below you will find the word 'Source:' please select the Tab next to it on the right.
6 Once selected the Tab will Dropdown and give you more options.
7 Select the 'Choose Folder' at the bottom and this will bring up a new window.
8 Allocate your 'iPhoto Library' on your mac (and yes you can not select because its a grey colour)
*9 Right Click the grey 'iPhoto Library' and select 'Quick Look' a medium window will pop up with a large picture of iPhoto Library emblem and total GB and Last modified date and time.
10 Close pop up icon and now your 'iPhoto Library' is highlighted
11 Select 'Choose' on the bottom Right of the window.
I really hope this has clarified my previous statement. If still not 100% sure what I'm on about, let me know I will start a youtube channel and screen record it for you. Have a great day!
* (TIPS - Regarding step 9 make sure the window that the iPhoto Library is in is selected. If not 'quick look' will not work properly and wont produce pop up icon with details and therefor wont force select your iPhoto Library).
Can Yosemite use a Photos library as screen saver?
