Can I move my iPhoto library to my Time Capsule?

I have very little memory available on my Macbook Pro.  (The start up disk is full)  The vast majority of the memory is taken up with photos.  How can I use my time capsule to free up some of my memory?  Can I move my iPhoto library to my Time Machine?  The Time Capsule is backing up both our Macbook Pro and Mac.  Many of the photos pre-date PhotoStream and are currently not available on our Mac.

Can I move my iPhoto library to my Time Machine?  The Time Capsule is backing up both our Macbook Pro and Mac.
If you move the iPhoto Library to your Time Machine volume, then Time Machine cannot back up your iPhoto library. That is very risky, because you will have no backup of your photos at all. Sooner or later you will lose your photos.
And if your Time Capsule is not locally mounted but connected as a network share, you cannot store your iPhoto library there at all. An iPhoto Library needs to be stored on a locally mounted volume, see this support document:
Use locally mounted Mac OS X Extended volumes for your Aperture library
The document has been written for Aperture, but iPhoto  and Aperture are using the same libraries, so it is valid for iPhoto as well.

Similar Messages

  • Why can't I open IPhoto library stored on Time Capsule?

    Our old iMac G5 was struggling with the 27k of photos on it and couldn't accept a software update, so I have bought a 2T Time Capsule and a MacBook, in the hope that I could copy my music and photos onto the Time Capsule and use the MacBook just to access and use the data.
    I've dragged and dropped the music from the G5 to the TC and can get at that ok with the MacBook, and when I dragged the iPhoto library over it took ages, which was reassuring given the amount of data. However, when I try to look at the iPhoto library on the TC, while iPhoto on the MacBook can see all of the events, folders, numbers of images etc, when I actually want to look at a photo, all I get it a black screen with a grey triangle and an exclamation mark.
    I've done the 'show package contents' thing, and all the photos are on the TC, and I can see them in Preview.
    I've checked the TC formatting and it is MacOS Extended (case sensitive, journaled).
    Possible issues:
    - is it a problem that the TC is also set up to do backups?
    - is it a problem that the MacBook is set up with two users?
    Not sure what else the problem might even be...
    Help me please, otherwise I'll have to pay someone to come and sort it out and feel like I've totally failed...
    Thanks!

    I've dragged and dropped the music from the G5 to the TC and can get at that ok with the MacBook, and when I dragged the iPhoto library over it took ages, which was reassuring given the amount of data. However, when I try to look at the iPhoto library on the TC, while iPhoto on the MacBook can see all of the events, folders, numbers of images etc, when I actually want to look at a photo, all I get it a black screen with a grey triangle and an exclamation mark.
    Your iPhoto Library is very likely corrupted.
    This is an iPhoto issue, so you need to post in the iPhoto support area to let the experts over there offer some suggestions to see if the library can be rebuilt. The link to the iPhoto support area is here:
    iPhoto
    The experts over there will likely also explain to you why you should never try to use the Time Capsule to store your "working" library with iPhoto.
    The bottom line is that access to the library on the Time Capsule is very slow, and if there is any break in communications between the iPhoto application and the library....something that would easily occur using wireless.....this can corrupt the entire library.
    You may be asked to trash the current library and use your backup to rebuild things.
    In the future, you really want to place the iPhoto library on a USB drive or FireWire drive that is directly connected to your Mac. Access to the library is fast this way and this setup will work well.  Time Machine will also backup the attached hard drive to your Time Capsule so you will have backups of both the Mac and the hard drive.
    I'll let the iPhoto experts take it from here. Hopefully Terrence Devlin will answer your question, but you might be prepared for a bit of a lecture in the process.
    Good luck on trying to rescue the library.

  • I would like to free up some space on my computer and move my iphoto library to the time capsule and easily access it. Also, would I be able to access them via the TC if I purchased a new computer?

    I am using my TC as an external hard drive, I would like to remove my photos from my computer to free up space. I'm wondering:
    1. Once the photos are moved, how do I access them via the TC, AND will i still be able to print them and see them the way they were set up in my iphoto on the computer?
    2. If I purchase a new computer, will I still be able to access them just as easily?
    3. What is the process to move the photos to the TC?
    I am afraid that if I "erase" them from my computer I will not be able to access them.

    Are you still using iphoto?
    If so you should NOT move the iphoto library to the TC and use it.
    Apple says you will corrupt the library doing this.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5168
    Although mostly about FAT32  it adds network drives.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198
    Now what I cannot tell you is if the same rules apply to the new photo app. Apple might have fixed the problem.
    For iphoto you should offload the photos to USB drive plugged into your computer.. or any external drive.. the faster the interface the better.
    Apple have explicit instructions for moving the library.
    iPhoto '11: Move your iPhoto library to a new location

  • How can I move my iPhoto Library from one Mac to another without losing the comments on the individual photos in the process?

    How can I move my iPhoto Library from one Mac to another without losing the comments on the individual photos in the process? The source Macbook (OS 10.4.11 and iPhoto 6.0.6 (3.2.2.)) is with my husband in Germany, the target MacBook Pro (OS 10.8.5, iPhoto 11) is with me in Japan. Thanks for your help.

    I copied the iPhoto Library to a CD and from there to the new MacBook
    If you copied the library to the CD via the Finder it would be no different than the methods Terence suggested.  If you used the Share ➙ Burn menu option from inside iDVD you'll get a mini library that has to be accessed from the open library and the events/alubums copied into the destination library.  Not the same as the other methods.
    The Share ➙ Burn method is no longer supported with iPhoto 9 and later.
    OT

  • How can I move my iPhoto Library from my MacBook Pro to my iMac or hard drive??

    How can I move my iPhoto Library from my MacBook Pro to my iMac or to my external hard drive? 'Help' is not helping!!

    To move to another machine:
    To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
    Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network,Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
    But however you do choose to link the two machines...
    Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
    Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
    This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.
    To move to an external disk:
    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
    Regards
    TD

  • I can't move my iphoto library to an extrenal

    I can't move my iphoto library to an extrenal  drive, it says that either I don't have premmission or the drive is locked. I have checked both but they seem to be alright.  Iphotos is close when I try to move the library. What am I doning wrong.

    I'm reading this post in the iPhoto for iOS forum. You might get more help in the iPhoto for Mac forum.
    First make sure iphoto is not running. Seems like when I've seen the "Do not have permissions" warning I could make a selection to type in my administrators password to allow the copy to proceed. Once you've copied the Libray to your hard drive you can choose that library by holding down the option, I think, key whe you start iPhoto.

  • Can I move the iPhoto library to my iDisk

    - Can I move the iPhoto library to my iDisk and by doing so being able to share it between several computers (only one editing at the same time is OK.
    Sharing means adding, editing, deleting ... photos.
    - if yes can I use it with the local copy mode of iDisk?

    I doubt very much that you'd be able to access the library at any speed fast enough to make it viable solution. iDisk access is way too slow to make using a library on it possible.
    And if you did, using the local iDisk copy and then have another computer access the actual iDisk version would only mess up the library when they were synced because you can't just file sync libraries. There are database files whose contents must be updated and there are not syncing applications that can do that. It would be the kiss of death for the library.
    If you want to share a library between multiple computers on a LAN add an external FW hard drive to one of the Macs and locate the library there as Apple suggests: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users. Although written for uses on one computer it will work with multiple computers on a LAN that can log onto the host computer.
    TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
    I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

  • Upgrading iPhoto Library from Apple Time Capsule

    I have put my iPhoto library onto my Time Capsule, and I know I need to upgrade my library. Every time I open iPhoto, I am asked to upgrade my library, and I click on upgrade, but it never finishes. After several minutes of attempting to upgrade, the app just quits on its own. I would like to access my photo library. How can I fix this problem?

    How is the TC connected to your Mac? (It must be a fast hard wired connection like FireWire, USB or ThunderBolt for iPhoto - a network or wireless connection will not work)
    Is it being used strictly as an External Hard Drive - or is it the destination for you TimeMachine backup? (if so you can not have your iphoto library on it)
    Probably the fix will be to put it back on your internal drive - or on a separate EHD formatted Mac OS Extended (journaled) with a fast wired connection
    LN

  • Can I move iCloud Drive folder to my Time Capsule?

    Can I move iCloud Drive folder to my Time Capsule?
    I have 250Gb storage on my Macbook, but plan to by the 500Gb storage plan from Apple. To do that I'd need to used the iCloud Drive folder on an larger external hard drive, instead of my own Macbook...
    Does anyone knows if that can be done?
    I also use Drop Box and it's local drive can be 'move' to an external HD easily...
    Tks!

    The iCloud Drive folder is is stored in your user library, in the folder ~/Library/Mobile Documents
    If you want to move this folder to an external drive, you would have to relocate your home folder there. Moving the home folder is supported, but not moving parts of the user library.
    But that would not be practical on a portable Mac to move the home folder to an external drive, because you could not log in without connecting the external drive.

  • My iphoto library, located on time capsule ( +/- 50G) does not load at all after upgrade to OSX to Yosemite ?

    Dear all,
    I am guessing, this is not the end for accessing to my iphoto (last update) library, my life memories, but after upgrade to OSX Yosemite, my iphoto library, located on time capsule (+/- 50G) does not load at all. I have sent the report to Apple.
    I am, worried to save or see my pictures back.
    Thanks fo your help.
    Clémentine

    eurclem wrote:
    Hi Larry,
    Sorry, for the delay, in the meantime I have restored my previous OS.
    But to answer you, basically , I use the time capsule as both a backup volume and an external drive.
    It's a 1 To Capacity.
    Best Regards,
    Clémentine
    That is a bad idea
    1 - since you have files on the same disk as your backup you have no backup for those files which apparently includes you photos - having no b means it is just a matter of time until you lose them
    2 - The TimeMachine backup grows until it fills the volume it is on - when the TC is full iphoto (and maybe other programs) will stop workig due to lack of space
    You need at least two external hard drives - one for the iPhoto library (this one needs to be directly connected with a fast wired connection like Thungrbolt, Firewire or USB and be formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) ) and a separate EHD for  you TM backup
    LN

  • How can i move my Iphoto library to an external hard drive?

    How do I move my Iphoto library to an external hard drive?

    Here's a worflow for that:
    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    Now you have two full versions of the Library.
    3. On the Internal library, trash the Events you don't want there
    Now you have a full copy of the Library on the External and a smaller subset on the Internal
    Some Notes:
    As a general rule: when deleting photos do them in batches of about 100 at a time. iPhoto can baulk at trashing large numbers at one go.
    You can choose which Library to open: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
    You can keep the Library on the external updated with new imports using  iPhoto Library Manager

  • How can I move itunes/iphoto library from SSD to HD on my new imac?

    I have a lovely new imac with the SSD option. My old comps' boot disk was migrated to the SSD because it is the boot disk for the new computer. This is great and speedy but now I'd like to move my huge itunes and iphoto libraries from the SSD to the 2TB HD. I would rather not move the whole 'home' folder. I would appreciate if anyone could tell me how to do this.
    with thanks in advance, nedro
    Message was edited by: nedro
    Message was edited by: nedro

    Go to ~/Music/iTunes and drag & drop the iTunes Media folder to your HDD. It will not actually be moved, it will be copied. Depending on its size this can take a few minutes. When the copying is finished open iTunes and go to Preferences/Advanced. The first area is +iTunes Media folder location+. Click the Change button, browse to the location of your iTunes Media folder on the HDD and press Choose.
    Quit iTunes. Then drag only the iTunes Media folder from the SSD to the Trash and empty. When you restart iTunes it will be using the media folder from it new location.
    To move the iPhoto library, quit iPhoto. Got to ~/pictures and drag & drop the iPhoto Library to the HDD. It will be copied to the HDD. Drag the library on the SSD to the Trash and empty. Open iPhoto, follow the dialog in the window that appears to locate and choose your iPhoto Libray on the HDD.
    Dah•veed

  • How can I move my iphoto Library to another hard drive?

    I would like to move my iphoto library to another drive. I've already copied it to the other drive, do I now just delete it from the internal drive? If so how does iphoto know where to find the photos?

    doug4747
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library Folder as an entity from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
    4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
    Regards
    TD

  • How can i move my iphoto library from my desktop

    Hi all
    I recently had a problem with iPhoto 11, when it stopped responding, and during the following weeks trying to get it going again I copied my iPhoto library to my desktop so as to try different things but not damage my photos, well in the end I had to remove iPhoto and then reinstall it from the disc, the only problem now is since I reinstalled it my library is showing on my desktop and I'm frightened it might get damaged there so how and where can I put it?
    Thanks
    M

    quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to the pictures folder in your user account - depress the option key and launch iPhoto and use the select library option to point to it
    LN

  • How can I move an iPhoto library from from one Mac to another?

    How do I take a 30 GB iPhoto library from my home iMac (OSX 10.6.8) to work and combine the data with my my iPhoto Library on my work MacMini?

    Put the iPhoto library at work on an external hard drive, take it home and use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ -  to merge it into your iPhoto library on the Mac Mini assuming they both are the same version
    LN

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