If you use iCloud Photo Library and want to keep that connection active so that you can continually download items you've stored, read on. Your external library is now set up to be your system default, but it's not currently connected to iCloud. Step 4 (if you use iCloud): Connect your new library to iCloud
Now, it's time to make your newly-copied Photos library your system default. Step 3: Make your new library your system default
How to move your current Photos library to an external drive and use it as your primary libraryĪs with creating a new library, moving your library to your external drive is a multi-step process.
Best Shock-Resistant Hard Drives for Mac.Want some recommendations for specific external hard drives? We've got those, too. Hard drive speeds are important, too: The faster a drive's write speed, the quicker your images will copy the faster a drive's read speed, the easier it will be for you to view images or video and edit them, too.
But if you're considering getting a new drive for this endeavor, here's what I suggest: What next? If you already have an external drive, you can always use it for storing your Photos library (and save on cash). Okay, so you've decided to move your Photos library over to an external drive.
Here are some reasons you might not want to use an external drive: That said, there are some downsides, too.
If you're working with space constraints on your primary computer, it's one of the easiest ways to back up your full iCloud Photo Library.You share a computer with other users and you have limited drive space.Your library isn't huge, but you'd prefer to save space on your Mac for other files.You frequently swap computers and want to work on your images from any Mac.