Can I sync iphoto library between two Mac's?

I have two Macs (an iMac and a Macbook Pro) and want to sync the iPhoto (6.0.6) library between the two so whenever I change one the other is updated. I thought about using iDisk but my library is apx 5gb. I am new to Macs- is there a utility built into OSX 10.4.9 or hopefully some freeware or very-cheap ware... preferably automated. Thank you very much.

brettjbyers
No you cannot sync an iPhoto library between two macs. If you do you will corrupt the iPhoto Library file. iPhoto is a consumer level app, and this feature is not supported.
What you can do is share the photos but not the library. Each machine will need to have it's own library file.
The easiest way to do it this is to enable sharing (in the iPhoto Preferences) on both machines (one sharing the library, the other looking for the share). When you do this the shared library will appear in the Source (or left-hand) pane and pics can be dragged from that to the library in the other machine.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

"Sync" iPhoto library between two macs

I have an iMac and a MacBook Pro. The iMac is my my iPhoto central - where I usually import, edit etc. However, I'd like to be able to do some editing, deleting, and general cleaning up of the iphoto library while commuting and using my MacBook Pro. Then I'd like to somehow sync that so that my iphoto library iMac reflects the same changes.
Any suggestions for a strategy/process for this - preferably without using 3rd party applications?
Would this be easier if I used Aperture?

Two possibiities:
1. Use iPhoto Library Manager to create a new Library. Then use it to move Events or albums to the new Library. Then when you've finished the work, merge the two libraries.
2. Or use Aperture to do the same thing. Select the projects in Aperture and export them as a new Library. After working on them import the library back to the main Aperture library.
So there are two ways to do what you want.One uses a 3rd party app, one uses an Apple app that is very much iPhoto's "big brother". It's more expensive and much more powerful. It has a significant learning curve.

Can I sync IPhoto albums between two computers via ICloud?

I have some pictures on my MacBook Pro, and some on my desktop. Other than offloading to a hard drive and trying to duplicate the two drives, is there a way to create albums and have them show up on both computers via the cloud??

brettjbyers
No you cannot sync an iPhoto library between two macs. If you do you will corrupt the iPhoto Library file. iPhoto is a consumer level app, and this feature is not supported.
What you can do is share the photos but not the library. Each machine will need to have it's own library file.
The easiest way to do it this is to enable sharing (in the iPhoto Preferences) on both machines (one sharing the library, the other looking for the share). When you do this the shared library will appear in the Source (or left-hand) pane and pics can be dragged from that to the library in the other machine.
Regards
TD

Sync iPhoto '08 between two macs

I am trying to sync iPhoto '08 between two of my macs, but can't seem to get it, unless I copy the whole library file (all 10gbs of it!).
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

ckg1999:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. You can't sync two libraries like you can two folders. That's because the data inside the library's database file needs to be the same and you can sync the contents of data files. The only way to keep two libraries the same is to use iPhoto Library Manager to copy new events on Library A to Library B and copy new Events on Library B to A. You would have to be sure to keep the Events as they were imported so you would know which are new and need copying to the other library. If you were to move photos to an earlier event what I propose wouldn't work.
Using any other syncing application will only mess up both libraries.
Do you Twango?
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.

Sync Aperture Library between two Macs

I apologize if this is an obvious question; I've searched this community and can't find an answer.
My wife and I currently have iMacs, and we both have iPhoto, and the problem is that we both tend to import pictures we take into our respective iPhoto libraries, but there's no way to easily sync them so we both have all pictures.
I'm intrigued by Aperture's purported "sync" capabilities. Hopefully, an Aperture expert here can tell me if AP3 has the ability to do what I described above - keep two individual copies of Aperture across two Macs on the same network in sync automatically?

csk wrote:
I apologize if this is an obvious question; I've searched this community and can't find an answer.
My wife and I currently have iMacs, and we both have iPhoto, and the problem is that we both tend to import pictures we take into our respective iPhoto libraries, but there's no way to easily sync them so we both have all pictures.
I'm intrigued by Aperture's purported "sync" capabilities. Hopefully, an Aperture expert here can tell me if AP3 has the ability to do what I described above - keep two individual copies of Aperture across two Macs on the same network in sync automatically?
Unfortunately it will be difficult to do this even with Aperture. I'm thinking the the 'sync' capabilities you heard of are Apertures merge library command.
Merging libraries is meant to facilitate what happens when a single user takes all or a part of their library out into the field and then wishes to merge the changes made when they return. So for instance I take a part of my library make changes to it, add new things to it and then merge it back into the original library. When I do the merge I have to tell Aperture which library to use to resolve conflicts. That is one of the libraries has to be made the master.
In a situation like you are describing where two independent users make changes to their respective libraries and then try to merge them which library is designated the master? If you make changes to image A in your library and leave image B alone but your wife does the opposite what should the merged library look like? As Aperture is now one or the other would have to rule.
If its just a question of images you each add independent of the other to your respective libraries you could work something out along the lines of exporting the new project from one library and importing into the other but trying to sync changes between two independent users would be difficult.

Can I sync iphoto library on two MacBooks?

I didn't find an answer in the community.
I don't want to move an library and I don't want 2 people accessing the same library...
My sister got my old MacBookPro with our iphoto library.
I have a new Air and the same iphoto library.
But of course now we start to import diffenrent new photos in what was once one single library.
How can I still synchronize these two macs?
Once a month is enough, it doesn't have to be some cloud thing.
Can it be done with a cable or our home-wifi?
It would also be ok, if I import all new photos on the air and then copy the whole library once a month to the Pro, but this seems rather ... pedestrian?
Thanks!

It would also be ok, if I import all new photos on the air and then copy the whole library once a month to the Pro, but this seems rather ... pedestrian?
That's the way to go, but it doesn't have to be pedstrian.
What you're doing there is the same as backing up the Air to the Pro. To make a lot faster use an app that does incremental back ups. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically. Examples of such apps: Chronosync or DejaVu . But are many others. Search on MacUpdate

How can I sync important folders between two Macs?

I've had a Macbook Pro for about a year and a half and love it so much that this Christmas I decided to buy myself a second Mac. I got a refurbished 24 inch iMac and just set it up last night. During the setup it occurred to me that there are certain folders on both computers (documents, pictures, audio, downloads, etc) that I would like to have available and synchronized between both computers. I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to do this. Does this functionality exist in Snow Leopard? If not, are there any 3rd party apps that will solve my problem?
Thank you for reading.
-Chris

fossy207 wrote:
I've had a Macbook Pro for about a year and a half and love it so much that this Christmas I decided to buy myself a second Mac. I got a refurbished 24 inch iMac and just set it up last night. During the setup it occurred to me that there are certain folders on both computers (documents, pictures, audio, downloads, etc) that I would like to have available and synchronized between both computers. I'm sure I'm not the only one who'd like to do this. Does this functionality exist in Snow Leopard?
no. not unless you want to use a command line tool like rsync.
If not, are there any 3rd party apps that will solve my problem?
you can use Chronosync or ForkLift. also,you can sync not directly between computers but via a cloud. there are many services that do that. there is apple's own mobileme. another very popular one is DropBox.
Thank you for reading.
-Chris

Sync iTunes-library between two Macs

Today I´ve got my library on my Mini-mediacenter, which is very convenient as this is connected to my speakers in the livingroom. Also I have my MBP and my iPod. What I´m looking for is a soloution to always have the same library on these two machines. The two machines is connected in my home network, and I am today using HomeSharing, but that seems to only sync item bought in iTMS, not items added by myself.
Is there a soloution to this problem?

here are some noteworthy apps:
Sonzea
TuneRanger
SuperSync

Sharing iPhoto Library between Two User Accounts

Is there any way to fully share a single iPhoto library between two user accounts on one machine (iMac 2.0GHz dual core Intel, 10.5.1, iPhoto '08), without using an external drive (because I don't have one)? By share, I mean each user has full rights and priveledges to the entire library, regardless of who uploaded the pics. Holding down the option key on iPhoto startup does not work because my wife can't access the pics I loaded even though she's pointing to the shared library in a shared folder.

If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc. then:
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. *You could also use a dmg*.
(Some people have had success putting the library in the Users/ Shared folder. If you do this make sure the file permissions are set to allow read/write access to everyone. But that's unlikely to work on 10.5 because of the way that the permissions have changed with the new OS.)
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Regards
TD

Sync single iPhoto library between two computers

My wife and I have different computers and, therefore, separate iPhoto libraries. I know I can use Iphoto Library Manager to consolidate the two libraries, but is there a way anyone can think of where the two of us can each have a full copy of the library, and have all modifications to the "common" library AUTOMATICALLY sync? I know we could share the library and manually copy the photos from one to the other library, but this would be tedious and completely defeat the purpose of Apple's "It just works" mind-set.
Or am I asking too much?
What if there were a way to flag photos in the common library as "Mine" and not "Ours"? That way my wife wouldn't have to "suffer" through my Sci-Fi wallpaper collection and Dr. Who posters. Likewise I would not need to see the photos for school assignments, etc... that she needs available, but we still both have common I/O access to the "common" family photos?
That may be asking to much...

No there's no way to automatically sync two Libraries, and trying to do so will trash one or both of them because no syncing software can parse the iPhoto Library database.
Yes you could have a common Library and keep each other's content separate. Simply keyword the pics 'His' and 'Hers' and use a simple Smart Album to separate them out. You can even - based on those tags - make two master Events - one for her pics and one for his.
Regards
TD

How do I sync iPhoto Library between 2 computers?

Forgive me if this has been asked and answered already. I have an iMac and a MacBook Air and want to sync the iPhoto library between the two. I have upgraded both the desktop and laptop to OSX 10.9 and iPhoto '11 (9.5).
I always had an iPhoto Library file (in Pictures under Finder) on EACH computer. The two did not sync, so if I added photos to one instance of the Library in a particular computer. I had to copy the Library and then paste it into the the other computer. I'm pretty sure I'm missing a fairly easy means of overcoming this, but I don't know what it is.
I had hoped the new version of iPhoto, with its closer link to iCloud would obviate this, but it only synchronises items in Photo Stream, not the entire iPhoto library. Any ideas on how I can improve this process. I do use Dropbox for all other files, and of course the iMac and MacBook Air are on the same home network.
Would I be better off putting the iPhoto Library on an external drive and then "point" both computers to that single instance of the library? If so I don't begin to know how to do it.
Thank you so much

What do you mean by "Sync".
The general term means when two Libraries (A and B) are compared and files in Library A are copied to Library B, while files in Library B are also copied to Library A so that both Libraries are identical.
This is bi-directional copying and you cannot do this automatically with iPhoto. No Syncing software is capable of parsing the iPhoto Library in this manner. One or both of your Libraries will be damaged if you try this.
You can have uni-directional copying - files in Library A are copied to Library B - this is essentially backing up. Obviously you can also copy from Library B to Library A.
The nearest you can get to syncing is to use iPhoto Library Manager to move files/Albums/Events plus associated metadata between Libraries. This process cannot be automated.
Putting the Library on an external is easy:
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

Syncing IPhoto Library with two users

Im a switcher so if this question is somewhat basic that is the reason why. My wife and I share the same Macbook but we have created two separate accounts on the same machine. As such, we each have our own iPhoto library. Is there a way that we can make sure that each of our iPhoto libraries contain the same pictures as the others. We are finding that when we upload new picture to iPhoto, we haven't found a way to transfer these same pictures from one account to the other.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

The only way to get two libraries to be the same is to use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager to merge the two libraries into one and then share that one library.
The optimal way to share a single library between two users on a Mac is to have that library on an external HD whose ownership is set to be ignored as described in the Apple article: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users
As the article indicates an alternative way would be to create a disk image (dmg) large enough to hold the library and leave room for expansion, put your merged library in the disk image and move it to the Shared folder on the Mac. Have each user set their System/Account preference to have that disk image mounted when they log in. That way it will automatically appear on the desktop like an external HD would. You would have to point your iPhoto application to that library by launching iPhoto with the Option key depressed and, when asked, select Choose Library.
In either case be sure the external HD or the disk image is mounted before you launch iPhoto.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) 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 or later), 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 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger 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.
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

Share iPhoto Library between two account

I’m am new in MAC world and I want to share pictures between two account in my iMAC. Rather than have the iphoto library on my account I was wondering if it's possible to share iphoto library with account of my wife.

Hi There,
I was told to follow a different course to share my iPhoto Library. I put it in the Shared Folder and changed the permissions to read right for everyone. Now all account holders can access the iPhoto library in the Share folder.
There's a problem though when User A logs in and accesses the iPhoto library a warning comes up that says 'You don't have permission to access some files. Would you like to repair the permissions' If ou click on 'Repair' User A now has full access.
When User B tries to access the iPhoto library they get the same message. Once permissions are repaired again, they have full access to the library. When User C tries, same thing again.
When User A goes back again to use the iPhoto library they must repair the permissions all over again. How can this be avoided. When I attempt to change the permissions on the iPhoto Library to Read and Write for everyone the file becomes locked and inaccessible.

How do i share iPhoto library between two user accounts

I need to share my iphoto pictures between two accounts on the same computer

For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
(You can also use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.

Sharing iPhoto library between a Mac and a PC

Anyone have any tips on this one?
My wife and I would like to share the iPhoto library between her PC laptop and my Mac Pro. What's the best way to go about this?
Would it be best to put the library up on the wireless drive attached to the Airport Extreme wireless and share that way. I would format the drive for PC so it would be readable from both computers.
Option 2 is to put the iPhoto library on an external PC formatted drive and and then physically attach it to whatever computer is using the library.
I know there are probably problems that come with these methods and possibly that it wouldn't work at all. Not sure exactly. Thought I'd check in before I opened a huge can-o-worms.
Thanks!

1. iPhoto has no cross-platform capabilities whatsoever.
2. Putting the iPhoto Library on a disk formatted for PC is a frequent cause of problems. Folks report issue with updating the Library, keywords, accessing the pics in other apps and so on.
3. Using iPhoto on a wireless connection is also not recommended. Connection dropouts are a fact of life on wireless (even very brief ones.) If one occurs while iPhoto is writing to the Library then the Library will be corrupted.
4. If you look inside the iPhoto Library Folder you can see how that Library is organised: there are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three core folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
Remember: iPhoto depends on the structure as well as the contents of this folder. Moving things, renaming things or otherwise making changes will prevent iPhoto from working and could even cause you to damage or lose your photos.
Browsing through the Library folder with another app - for instance, whatever you use to view the pics on the Windows machine - can alter the structure of the Library. Another recipe for disaster.
What you can do:
1. Use an app that has a cross platform capability such as Microsoft’s Expression
2. Run a *Referenced Library*:
Simply go to iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library on Import'.
Now iPhoto will not copy the files, but rather simply reference them on your HD. To do this it will create an alias in the Originals Folder that points to your file. It will still create a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version within the iPhoto Library Folder.
However, you need to be aware of a number of potential pitfalls using this system.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
I don’t recommend it but this will allow you to share the Original files (though not the edited versions.)
Regards
TD

Can I sync iphoto library between two Mac's?

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