HT204476: Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries

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Ryan Gregg

Q: i now have 2 photos libraries how do I consolidate them

Photos converted my iphoto files but failed the first time so now I have 2 Photos libraries.  One library is larger than the other but it is not the default library.  Is there a way to consolidate or delete one of the Photos libraries with losing any photos.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 13, 2015 10:45 AM

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Q: i now have 2 photos libraries how do I consolidate them

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  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Dec 13, 2015 11:21 AM in response to Ryan Gregg
    Level 10 (105,533 points)
    iLife
    Dec 13, 2015 11:21 AM in response to Ryan Gregg

    You can switch between Photos Libraries by double clicking the library you want to open.

     

    To merge the libraries, open the smaller library and export all photos to folders on the Desktop with "File > Export > Export Original...". Then import the exported photos into the larger library. Photos will detect duplicates on import and you can skip them, if you exported the original versions.  Make the library you are importing to your System Photo Library by enabling the Photos > Preferences > Use as System Photo Library.

     

    After you imported the photos from the smaller library into the larger library you can delete the smaller library.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Dec 13, 2015 1:54 PM in response to Ryan Gregg
    Level 10 (84,125 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Dec 13, 2015 1:54 PM in response to Ryan Gregg

    The only way to merge libraries keeping all information is using the Paid version of PowerPhotos

     

    LN