HT204486: Use Photos and iCloud Photo Library on multiple Mac computers

Learn about Use Photos and iCloud Photo Library on multiple Mac computers
Keith_has_questions

Q: I have iCloud photo library enabled on my main Mac, but I'm afraid to enable it on my work computer (which contains many of the same photos). Will doing so create duplicates? I'd like to use it across both devices but keep my home cpu as the master

I have iCloud photo library enabled on my main Mac, but I'm afraid to enable it on my work computer (which contains many of the same photos). Will doing so create duplicates? I'd like to use it across both devices but keep my home cpu as the master

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Mar 14, 2016 12:52 PM

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Q: I have iCloud photo library enabled on my main Mac, but I'm afraid to enable it on my work computer (which contains many of the sa ... more

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  • by Boerne,

    Boerne Boerne Apr 21, 2016 9:45 AM in response to Keith_has_questions
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 21, 2016 9:45 AM in response to Keith_has_questions

    Why not create a new Photo Library on your work computer and try it?

     

    Option click on the Photos app, create a new library, and then go to Preferences and turn on iCloud library. I would think this would eventually populate with all your photos from home. You can then import the photos at work to this library. If this works, you'll probably want to go into Prefs and make it your system library.

     

    The easier option would be to make a backup copy of your existing library, then turn on iCloud photo library and see what happens. If you get duplicates, turn off iCloud photo library and restore your backup.

     

    Hope this helps.