JanRL
Level 1 (4 points)
Photos for Mac

Q: Managing and syncing Mac's Photos library with iPad

Hi,

I have a setup that includes a Mac that is backuping to Time Capsule. This Mac has my Photos library and the backup makes sure that all my precious memories are kept safe. Now, I also have iPad and this is my primary tool for accessing and working with photos. I have been syncing the Mac's photo library with iPad by using iTunes, as I do not want my photos to be stored into iCloud simply because I have too many pictures, cloud storages weakens security, and simply because there is no reason for me to store these picture stored to cloud.

So my question is how can I manage my Photos library with iPad? This includes deleting photos, adding new photos from my iPad to Mac Photos library, modifying them, creating albums etc. The changes I make with iPad should be then synced back to Mac's Photos Library for backup purposes, and if I make some changes with my Mac's Photos, these should be synced to iPad's Photos.
And to repeat myself, the use of iCloud is not a valid option here.

iPad Pro, iOS 9.3.1

Posted on Apr 2, 2016 4:06 AM

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JanRL

Q: Managing and syncing Mac's Photos library with iPad

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  • Helpful answers

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Apr 2, 2016 8:33 AM in response to JanRL
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 2, 2016 8:33 AM in response to JanRL

    Without CLoud you can not - the only way to do that without multiple, manual steps is iCLoud Photo Library - with ICPL all libraries are kept in sync and all changes made to one library (additions. deletions and edits) are made to all libraries

     

    And most certainly ICP is a valid option - if you choose no to use it then you are making that choice but your personal choice does not in any way ovid the validity of the service

     

    Right now you are wanting to go swimming but not get close to the water - that is what is no a valid option

     

    Yes there is a cost of this (as there is of many valuable services) - and I guess you can probably prove a security issue but it is really slim and inconsequential - using and Google service exposes much more of your life to the public than will ever be exposed using iCloud Photo Library under any scenario - IMHO the secruity risk of using ICPL is so close to zero as to be not worth considering

     

    LN

  • by JanRL,

    JanRL JanRL Apr 2, 2016 10:28 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 2, 2016 10:28 AM in response to LarryHN

    Right, so let's summarise your valid points and skip the rubbish like going to swimming when water temperatues are different:

    • It's not possible without iCloud (thanks, that was all I needed to know, points out that Photos is not really a professional tool to use if using iPads)
    • Paying for subscription that allows a proper sync gives value for money.

    I have to disagree, having to pay monthly subscription for a proper Photos Library sync is far from value for that money. I simply do not have any use for iCloud storage as I already have a working server setup. Syncing my extensive Photos library to iCloud storage plan for having a proper two-way sync is a really stupid idea. I will ditch Photos and start using some other application before starting to use iCloud just for syncing two devices within the same local network. That architecture model is just idiotic in the scenario that I described.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Apr 2, 2016 10:28 AM in response to JanRL
    Level 10 (85,256 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 2, 2016 10:28 AM in response to JanRL

    Ok - do what ever you want - no problem - we could care less - if you want help we are happy to help but if you only want to complain and RANT you are of no value to anyone here

     

    and good luck

     

    LN

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Apr 2, 2016 2:08 PM in response to JanRL
    Level 10 (108,148 points)
    iCloud
    Apr 2, 2016 2:08 PM in response to JanRL

    Syncing photos to your iPad using iTunes is one-way only. Synced photos are not stored in the Camera roll and there is no convenient way to get them back to your Mac with all edits applied.  Apple recommends to use Mail to save the edited photos back to your Mac. Sync photos to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch in iTunes - Apple Support

     

     

    The only easy and convenient way to use your iPad for editing and transferring the edits back to your Mac is the method  you do not want to use -  iCloud Photo Library.

  • by JanRL,

    JanRL JanRL Apr 2, 2016 3:02 PM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 2, 2016 3:02 PM in response to léonie

    Thanks, then I'm hoping someone would know a third-party solution to this. Anytrans would have been good solution, but it does not support Mac side Photos library sync. Still, this can be used to transfer photos from iOS (camera roll and library), and then scripts could be built for OSX side to import photos to the library. And iTunes then pushed pics to iOS. Clumsy, but looks doable.

     

    In general, it is horrible practice to sync data outside internal network like what the iCloud does, especially when there is OSX server in the play. iCloud is good if you want to store data in it, but cloud service for syncing gigs of data... no. That is not a viable solution for those who have data security policies in place, there is a reason why firewalls exist. I hope Apple will address this if they want Photos to be used in professional environment.