netta.porter

Q: Importing photos from an external hard drive

Due to volume of photos and limitations of space on macbook air, I keep my iphoto library on an external drive.

 

I have attempted to import this drive into the new photos app, but to date I have had no success. Generally the progress bar remains at 0% and the app freezes. I usually after some time give up and force quit out of the application.

 

Has anyone had success importing their iphoto library to photos directly from an external drive? Any tips?

 

Cheers

Netta

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 16, 2015 4:04 AM

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Q: Importing photos from an external hard drive

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  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Oct 16, 2015 6:32 AM in response to netta.porter
    Level 10 (85,648 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Oct 16, 2015 6:32 AM in response to netta.porter

    YOu never import a library - you migrate it

     

     

    what format is the external drive? TO work with Photos it must be Mac OS extended (journaled) - and it needs to be connected with a fast wired connection and to not b being use as a TimeMachine backup volume

     

    If it meets the requirements then simply drag it to the Photos icon in the Dock and Photos will migrate it setting up hard links to the originals and previews on that disk - Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support

     

    If this does not work backup your iPhoto library and hold down the option and command keys while launching iPHoto and repair permissions then rebuild the database and drag this rebuilt database to the Photos icon

     

    LN