Managing and syncing Mac's Photos library with iPad

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Level 1

4 points

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 4:04 AM

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Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

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

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Answer 2

JanRL Author

Level 1

4 points

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.

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Answer 3

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

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

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Answer 4

léonie

Level 10

200,723 points

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.

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Answer 5

JanRL Author

Level 1

4 points

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.

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Answer 6

Nov 26, 2016 11:19 AM in response to LarryHN

I agree totally with JanRL. You can't fix a problem if you can't define it. Raising the issue is valid. The fact that Photos doesn't simply sync between devices without spending extra for cloud space is a real and frustrating issue for me too. I just want my images to be organized the same on each device just like iTunes playlists. It seems both simple and obvious and yet... no.

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Answer 7

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Nov 26, 2016 11:52 AM in response to Les Vogt1

Ok - so you too believe that you are the final authority on everything and any thing that does not meet your personal made up standards is worthless - unfortunately such a spoiled brat attitude does not match up with the real world where things work like they work and you choose to use then or not use them based on your personal preferences - it is simply crazy to demand that everything work just like you want it to - for free to boot

LN

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Answer 8

Nov 26, 2016 12:01 PM in response to LarryHN

My issue is solely with the software. You don't have to like it. Your smug self-righteous indignation is of no interest to me.

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Answer 9

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Nov 26, 2016 12:03 PM in response to Les Vogt1

And right back at you 😠

LN

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Answer 10

Nov 27, 2016 3:19 AM in response to léonie

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.

Is it possible yet to edit metadata on the iPad with iCloud Photo Library? To change dates, add comments, descriptions, titles, keywords, etc? That's the main thing I want to do on the iPad, but last time I checked it still wasn't possible - you could only really do edits to the picture. (I've asked this before, and been told no, but I live in hope that the answer has changed and maybe then I'll be more interested in iCloud Photo Library. Heck, I've "only" been waiting for the option to conveniently edit photo metadata on my iPad for four and a half years now ...)

Oops, I just realized the bulk of this thread was six months ago. Oh well. I've still got the same question.

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Answer 11

léonie

Level 10

200,723 points

Nov 27, 2016 4:52 AM in response to Lost in Asia

That's the main thing I want to do on the iPad, but last time I checked it still wasn't possible - you could only really do edits to the picture. (I've asked this before, and been told no, but I live in hope that the answer has changed and maybe then I'll be more interested in iCloud Photo Library.

No, sorry. We cannot even display titles, descriptions, keywords. So it is still not possible to manage a photos library on the iPad other than adding and deleting photos, or creating albums. The ability to edit metadata for photos and to use smart albums on the iPad was lost, when the upgrade to iOS 8 made iPhoto iOS incompatible with the iPad. iPhoto on the iPad was a short pleasure.

Keeps sending feedback to Apple that a photo library without the ability to manage metadata does not suffice.

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Answer 12

Nov 27, 2016 5:22 AM in response to léonie

OK, that's what I guessed. Thanks!

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