i want to backup my photos on iMac (which were originally on iPhone 5) to an external hard drive, but I cannot open them on the external after copying them over. Would appreciate guidance on backing up photos to an external. I'm using iMac and a HD Passport external. I am totally new to iMAC and learning basics now. Thanks for any help.
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)
What exactly do you want to back up? The iphoto Library:
Most Simple Back Up:
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically.
Example of such apps: Chronosync- but there are many others. Search on MacUpdateor the App Store
Just the Photos?
Export them from iPhoto using the File -> Export command
This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue.
What exactly do you want to back up? The iphoto Library:
Most Simple Back Up:
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically.
Example of such apps: Chronosync- but there are many others. Search on MacUpdateor the App Store
Just the Photos?
Export them from iPhoto using the File -> Export command
This User Tip
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4921
has details of the options in the Export dialogue.
Thanks for fast response! another Disk (?) like a cd?
I will check out your other suggestions as well. i want to make sure that wherever i store my photos, they will be there later. has to be well established. i'll also go to the discussion link you sent.
I also need to figure out how to backup everything else!! one step at a time.
No. You'll need an external hard disk. Don't you have one? You really need to be backing up your important data.
No, I don't. Is this a sophisticated back up system?
I read your notes on exporting. When you export, does it leave the original file there, or move it? I normally use Lightroom which is so much easier. This just happens to be iPhone photos that were copied over to my mac.
No, an eternal HD is about as basic a back up as you can do.
Exactly like Lightroom, exporting exports a copy and leaves the original file where it is.
If you have LR then ignore the other apps. You can get your images from Phones etc with Image Capture (in the Applications Folder).
I should have my regular photos (not iPhone) backed up to the external from Lightroom. i am concerned that the file name will change in mac ( i used pc earlier) and that lightroom will not be able to find the files with a new name. afraid to try it...should i be concerned about this?
No idea why you would expect the filename to change, tbh.
But I would pop over to the Adobe forums and ask how to back up your catalog and files.
Good idea. Thanks so much for your help. New world for me.
Backing up iPhoto
