+5 votes
69 views
How can you copy a photo library from your Mac to another?

in Guides by (551k points)
reopened | 69 views

1 Answer

+3 votes
Best answer

How to copy a photo library from your Mac to another?
For few photos: clone a photo library with AirDrop
For many photos: copy photos with iCloud Photos

  • Copying a photo library from your Mac to another is a necessity that you will have sooner or later
  • It doesn't matter if you just got a new outfit, or if you want to share your latest photo shoot. We review which are the two methods to complete this action, depending on the number of images

At the time we told you where the screenshots and photos are saved on Mac, and although that information made a lot of sense assuming that you work only with one computer, when you have to do it with several, it may be a bit short. For example, if you've ever wondered how you can copy a photo library from your Mac to paste it into another, you'll learn how to do it throughout this article ..

The fact is that Apple has thought very specifically about this need of users, and that is why it facilitates the process with a series of tools, on which we are going to stop just this time.

All this, based on the fact that the Photos application is one of the most important and most used areas in the MacOS Monterey operating system, the latest launched by the Californian firm for all its computers..

How to copy a photo library from your Mac to another?

For few photos: clone a photo library with AirDrop

The fastest way to transfer a small number of photos or videos from the Photos app from one Mac to another is to use AirDrop . However, you should keep in mind that, to use this method, both devices have to be close enough to each other to establish a Bluetooth LE connection.

Assuming you meet that requirement, these are the steps to follow:

  • Open the Photos app that contains the photos or videos you want to copy.
  • Select the images you want to send to your new Mac
  • Click on the Share icon, top right
  • Select AirDrop from the drop-down menu
  • Confirm the transfer of the photos

Nothing more than that. In a few moments, you will have your photos also on the second computer ..

For many photos: copy photos with iCloud Photos

The easiest way to transfer large amounts of photos and videos from one Mac to another is to use iCloud Photos.

During the setup of your new Mac, you will be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID account and doing so will automatically sync it with the iCloud account in question , without further ado.

From then on, all it takes is logging into the same iCloud Photos account to access a library of photos and videos on any Mac device, avoiding annoying transfers.

Of course, accessing all the contents may take some time, because the computer will have to load them . Due to this, we recommend that if you are going to filter elements, you do so before performing this procedure.

If this backup doesn't leave you feeling calm, try some photo storage services.



by (3.5m points)

Related questions

+5 votes
1 answer
+3 votes
1 answer
asked Nov 13, 2021 in Back up apps / software by backtothefuture (551k points) | 86 views
+4 votes
1 answer
+3 votes
1 answer
asked Dec 30, 2023 in Guides by backtothefuture (551k points) | 24 views
+3 votes
1 answer
asked Nov 6, 2021 in Mac by backtothefuture (551k points) | 77 views
Sponsored articles cost $40 per post. You can contact us via Feedback
10,632 questions
10,764 answers
510 comments
3 users