Q: Two Macs, Two Users accounts - One Photos Library?
I have two mac computers. My wife and I both have our own user accounts on each computer. I want us to both be able to access our photos library on either computer. The problem I have is that the photos library has to be in a "default library folder" in order to use iCloud to sync the two libraries. But if you put the libraries in one of the accounts default location the other cannot use the library without restoring permissions every time we use it. I have to current versions of Mac OS and Photos.
Even though Apple products "Just work" this never has. Now that I have two Macs it is even worse. I am not going to pay for iCloud storage. I need to do this locally. Additionally I cannot plug a HDD into my router due to its location.
Please someone tell me how to set this up.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)
Posted on Feb 25, 2016 4:35 AM
The problem I have is that the photos library has to be in a "default library folder" in order to use iCloud to sync the two libraries.
You can use My Photo Stream or shared albums, even if the library is on an external drive. It does not need to be in the Pictures folder. Open the library on the external drive and enable it as the System Photo Library. You have only to make sure, that the drive is plugged in to a USB port or another wired connection and that the file system of the external drive is MacOS Extended (Journaled). Then you can enable the "Ignore Ownership" flag for the drive, and two users can use the library o the drive alternately.
It still works like described here for iPhoto: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users
Posted on Feb 25, 2016 4:45 AM
