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User profile for user: kfordwhite
kfordwhite Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Add external drive Photo Library to iCloud

I am currently using icloud to backup and store my photo library. I also have an external drive filled with older photos (these photos are not on my current computer so they are not currently syncing with icloud). I took them off my computer and loaded them onto the hard drive in an effort to save space on my computer. These old photos are in a separate iphoto library on the external drive. I would like to add these photos to the cloud so that they are backed up and accessible. Can anyone tell me what I need to do to make this happen?

MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015), iOS 10.3.3

Posted on Nov 4, 2018 11:28 AM

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User profile for user: kfordwhite
kfordwhite Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Posted on Nov 4, 2018 12:17 PM

Thank you for your reply! I have an entire photo library, containing thousands of photos, that I would like to import (add to icloud). Also, there is not room on my current computer for all of the files in their full size. I am hopeful that somehow, once they are uploaded, I will be able to view them in the optimized form (with the full size images being in the cloud). Basically I want to add them to my current photo library (in the cloud) but without physically putting them on my hard drive first. Does that make sense?

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User profile for user: kfordwhite
kfordwhite Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Nov 4, 2018 12:17 PM in response to tygb

Thank you for your reply! I have an entire photo library, containing thousands of photos, that I would like to import (add to icloud). Also, there is not room on my current computer for all of the files in their full size. I am hopeful that somehow, once they are uploaded, I will be able to view them in the optimized form (with the full size images being in the cloud). Basically I want to add them to my current photo library (in the cloud) but without physically putting them on my hard drive first. Does that make sense?

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User profile for user: tygb
tygb
User level: Level 9
64,598 points

Nov 4, 2018 12:11 PM in response to kfordwhite

If you have photos or videos saved on a hard disk or other storage device, you can import them into Photos.

Tip: If you want, you can first create a new empty album in the sidebar and then import your photos into it.

You can import photos or video files from a storage device (such as a hard disk)

  1. Connect the device to your Mac.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Drag files or folders from the Finder to the Photos window.
    • Drag files or folders from the Finder to the Photos icon in the Dock.
    • In Photos, choose File > Import. Select the photos or videos you want and click Review for Import. If you selected multiple photos or videos, select the ones you want to import and click Import [number] Selected or Import All New Photos.Important: Don’t eject a disc or drive while the photos are being imported.
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Add external drive Photo Library to iCloud

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