HT204414: Designate a System Photo Library in Photos

Learn about Designate a System Photo Library in Photos
StPaulJeep

Q: Designating a system library

Can I not use an external drive for the system library?  When I open that library, it will not let me select 'Use as system library'

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.1

Posted on Jun 15, 2016 8:24 PM

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Q: Designating a system library

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  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Jun 16, 2016 6:14 AM in response to StPaulJeep
    Level 10 (84,217 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 16, 2016 6:14 AM in response to StPaulJeep

    Yes you can - you designate the system library in the Photos preferences - if the set as  system library button is grayed out it is already the system library or the drive is not suitable for the Photos library

     

    The Photos  library must be on a locally connected drive that is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) that is connected with a fast wired connection, not used as a TimeMachine backup volume and it must always be available prior to launching Photos

     

    LN

  • by léonie,Helpful

    léonie léonie Jun 16, 2016 6:18 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 10 (105,771 points)
    iCloud
    Jun 16, 2016 6:18 AM in response to LarryHN

    In addition to what Larry said:   The system photo library should be on a drive that is always available while you are logged in, not only when you are using Photos. A system Photo library is always in use by the system, while the user is logged in, because it is being updated to be used by other applications from the media browser, syncing with iCloud, and similar.