Copying iPhoto Library to new MacBook Pro

I have recently bought a new MacBook Pro primarily to use when travelling. I also have a iMac which will continue to be my main mac. I naively thought that by using Migration Assistant I'd be able to copy/transfer all the stuff I have on my iMac (iTunes Library, iPhoto Library etc....) to the MacBook Pro but it's clearly not as simple as that.
Can someone please help me to get the content on my iMac to the Pro and is there a way to update any new photos etc automatically from my iMac to the Pro? It's worth adding that I also have a Time Capsule which is used for backing up from the iMac.
All help gratefully appreciated!!

I naively thought that by using Migration Assistant I'd be able to copy/transfer all the stuff I have on my iMac (iTunes Library, iPhoto Library etc....) to the MacBook Pro but it's clearly not as simple as that.
I don't know what problems you've had, but I was able to do that with Migration Assistant.
To move your Library:
1. Connect the two Macs together
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder on the iMac to the same location on the new one.
3. Launch iPhoto.
That's all there is to it..
is there a way to update any new photos etc automatically from my iMac to the Pro?
Yes, simply use the Pro as a back up location and back the library up using an app like DejaVu.
However, this will work only as long as you use the Pro as a back up for the iMac. If you add photos to the Pro and then try and sync the two you may damage either Library.
Alternatively, you can use iPhoto Library Manager to move Photos, Events and Albums, plus associated metadata between Libraries.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

Cant copy over iPhoto Library to new Macbook Pro (Retina 15")

So I tried migrating everything to a new Macbook Pro, all in all it was successful, but when I tried to start iPhotos up, the iPhoto Library got corrupt during the Library Upgrade process. I then copied my original iPhoto Library file (90GB) to an ext. harddrive to try again, but when I tried to copy that (original) file on to the Macbook Pro, the computer kept telling me that there is not enough free space. This dont seem right to me, given that I have 175GB free space available out of 256GB.
Does anyone know why this is happening? Is it because of the large file size? Is there a way to copy this file on to the machine? I've never ran into a size limit for files before, but then again, I cant remember the last time I tried to copy a 90GB file.
Any people would be greatly appriciated!

Yeah thats all fine, and everything is backed up. but I dont want to link the library to an ext drive.
I actually got it working in a really convoluted way:
I opened the iPhoto Library Package and copied the MODIFIED and ORIGINALS folders (these were the largest sized folders) over seperately from the rest of the Library. There seems to be some sort of size limit to Mountian Lion that wont let you copy files that are larger then 24GB in size (maybe an SSD thing?). So I copied over everything to the desktop, and then put all the folders back in the package. That worked like a charm!
*I wouldnt recommend this method to a novice. Its imperative that everything goes back in the right place, or you can destroy your Library.
I guess if I didnt do it this way, I could have also tried CCC, or time machine, which I believe circumvent this size restriction.

Copying iTunes library onto new MacBook Pro

I want to copy my existing iTunes library to my shiny new 13" unibody MacBook Pro. Since my 17" MacBook Pro remains my main home computer I want to leave the library intact on that machine - I just want to copy the library onto the new machine (album art and all).
Is Migration Assistant the way to go or should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
I'm normally quite good at this sort of thing. Honest.

drjbscott wrote:
should I drag and drop the existing library onto an external drive and then drop the library into the music folder on the new machine.
you could use an external. or, you could connect your Macs with a firewire cable, start up the 17" in _*Target Disk Mode*_, then copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) to HD/music on the 13" (overwriting the folder in place there). just fire up iTunes on the 13" and everything will be as you are used to on the 17".
you can then use e.g. _*Home Sharing*_ (or a 3rd party software) to keep both libs in sync.
enjoy ...
JGG

Copy iTunes library to new MacBook Pro

Hi 1st timer here
I've just upgraded from a Power Mac (V10.5.8) to a Mac Book Pro. I'd like to transfer all the music I have in iTunes (V10.6.1) and don't want to have to buy Leopard just for this one-off. I've used the thunderbolt to copy everything else ok.
Is there any easy way to do this?
I'll probably push all my content to iCloud to share on my great new iPhone as well, but 1 brideg at at a time!!
Many thanks

iTunes: What are the iTunes library files?
iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder
iTunes for Mac: How to copy purchases between computers
Message was edited by: b j t

Transferring iPhoto library from old MacBook Pro to new Mini

I am trying to transfer via Wifi the iPhoto library from my MacBook Pro (10.7.5) to new Mac Mini (10.9). Finder will not move the file to the new machine because it says I do not have the correct permissions. iPhoto on the mini can see but will not open the iPhoto Library on the old mac. Any ideas?? Thanks!

see > How to migrate data from another Mac using Mountain Lion and earlier
Personally If I was only wanting to copy photos, I would copy the old iPhoto Library to an external hard drive and then import them from the external hard drive into iPhoto on the new computer.

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 bought a second hand G4 iBook with iLife 09 on it. I have copied iLife to my new Macbook Pro. The applications would not open, so I did a software update and update all three applications, but they will still not open. Can anyone help?

I bought a second hand G4 iBook with iLife 09 on it. I have copied iLife to my new Macbook Pro. The applications would not open, so I did a software update and update all three applications, but they will still not open. Can anyone help?

The seller should have given you the original disk so that you can reinstall as needed. But it likely was a single-user license (which really means single computer) so you can only have a copy on one computer at a time. If the seller didn't give you the disk he is probably still using the software on his new Mac. Your best option to get any of the iWork apps to use in OS X 10.6.6 or later is through the Mac App Store. You can then install them on any Mac you have that has access to the Mac App Store using your Apple ID.

I cannot find iPhoto on my new macbook pro

Where can I find iPhoto on my new macbook pro?

iLife apps don't come preinstalled on new computers. Now, open App Store > Updates and accept iMovie, iPhoto and GarageBand, so they'll be registered to your Apple ID and you'll be able to download them whenever you want

Copied my iTunes library to new MacBook Pro, why are my iPhone apps greyed out?

Hi,
Rather than migrate from an iMac that I sold, I decided to just start fresh on a new Macbook Pro. I did back up my iTunes library and copied it over to the new Macbook. I synced my iPhone and iPad 2 on the new Macbook but the apps are greyed out. When I click the sync apps box all but a few of the apps (I'm assuming the ones that are default with the iPhone and iPad) dissappear.
I'd like the ability to arrange my apps with the Macbook at times and like the idea that I have a backup of all my apps on my computer. I realize I'm backing them up in iCloud, but just sayin'.
Thanks,
Bo

$eth wrote:
Do I purchase an external hard-drive and transfer? Or should I just go and get a 32 GB Flashdrive? Anyone have any tips for doing this stuff?
assuming all your media files are in the default location, connect the two Macs with a firewire cable, boot the source Mac in Target Disk Mode, and copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) from <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the source to <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the target (overwriting the iTunes folder in place there).
So how can I turn off the library on my iMac and just make it two?
you can't.
you'll have to wait until you reach the limit of five machines. then you can use the deauthorize all option, following which you can reauthorize those computers you currently use/have access to.
have a look at this support article.

Problems with copying iPhoto library onto new hard drive from external HELP

I had to get a new hard drive installed onto my MacBook Pro, but was able to copy my iPhoto library onto my external hard drive via another computer before the old hard drive failed. Now, I am trying to copy that library back onto my MacBook.
After I copied the library onto the MacBook, when iPhoto was opened, it showed no photos but I could see album titles. Then when I opened iPhoto while holding down the option key, it was all clumped into one event and not nearly all of the photos were there. Also, I have right-clicked on the library to see package contents and everything seems to be there, but I don't know how to make it all show up in the library.
I've downloaded iPhoto Library Manager because I thought that might help (but haven't used it yet -- don't know how) and I just need some help to recover my iPhoto library... and is there a way to restore all the separate events imported and time/date stamps, in order to get all the photos in chronological order?

Should I just go through the iPhoto Library package contents and drag every folder into iPhoto?
No. That will get you massive duplication.
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.
Regards
TD

Using old external hard drive as iTunes library on new macbook pro

Recently purchased new macbook pro with 256 GB of memory. I have an older external Passport for Mac hardrive with close to 1 TB of music. I would like to use this external hard drive as my itunes folder. I opened itunes on new computer, went to preferences - advanced and chose new location /Volumes/JP KAF/Itunes Media/Music and select OK but no music is available. How do I connect my external hard drive and direct my new computer to use it as my music library. I tried the starting itunes and holding Left shift key but that does not open an option of creating a library - Again, this is the newest macbook pro with retina screen. Please help.

No not do it changing preferences. That does as it says; it just relocates media, not the whole library which is more than media.
Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the new location of the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.

Transfer iTunes library to new MacBook Pro while maintaining playlists, ratings, etc.

I just got my new MacBook Pro for college, and I need to transfer my entire iTunes library (19,000+ songs) from my dektop Mac to my new computer. I have tried a lot of people's methods concerning transfering libraries, but everytime, I lose my playlists, play counts, and ratings. I have tried a lot of methods, but none seem to work. I have tried consolidating libraries and other methods. Does anyone have any ideas of what I might be doing wrong.
(I have a 1TB hd that houses all of the music for my iTunes library for my desktop. I am attempting to move it all to the MBP. My MBP has two partitions, one of which is for storage and music (not my Macintosh HD) which is where I am attempting to copy my library to from the 1TB drive.)
Thanks in advance!
CB

Here's one way to connect two computers. There's other ways but we have absolutely no idea what hardware you have. - How to use FireWire target disk mode - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661 - includes description of hardware and software requirements.
As for files and folders to copy and where; Kappy has already made a list above, including showing locations. As for how; using drag and drop in Finder will probably work, but it will depend upon how you eventually connect the computers, or use a hard drive, or a flash drive... Currently there are too many unknowns about your system to provide a detailed list without itemizing for hundreds of different scenarios.
By the way, feel free to start a new topic for a question. This one was really about sorting out chrisbraun5's issue.

Copying iPhoto Library to new Mac

My entire iPhoto library with over 4000 pictures and 30 albums is on my iMac G5. I would like to know what is the best way to "mirror" my iPhoto library to my MacBook without having to manually create each album and drag the pictures into it (which would take forever!). I have an external hard drive I can use.
Any suggestions?

If you want to mirror it up to the time you make the copy: Just copy the entire iPhoto library folder to your new Mac and point iPhoto to it there (option-launch and navigate to the iPhoto library folder)
Since that was too easy, I'm assuming you want to have both Macs to use the same set of images - i.e. when you add photos to one Mac, they should show up on the other's iPhoto as well?
You'd have to use something like iSync but I'm usually afraid to trust the application's view of what is "newer". Things could get messy.
Your album data is stored on the Library6.iPhoto file, so as long as you keep your Originals, Modified, and Data folders in sync, you should be able to copy the latest Library6.iPhoto file to both iPhoto Library folders.
Still, this method is fraught with peril so do it at your own risk.
You could share your entire library on each Mac and then use one Mac to look for new albums on the other one, and drag the entire album to the current Mac. A little less painful but not sure what you lose accessing a shared library's album. I don't know if RAW images would copy as RAW or JPEG.

Migrated iPhoto content to new MacBook Pro, but can't get '11

Hi there,
I migrated my iPhoto content from my old laptop to my new one, the new one has OSX 10.6.7, but somehow I seem to have migrated iPhoto v8.1.2 also. iPhoto '11 should be part of 10.6.7, right? iPhoto '11 cannot be found on my new computer, did one cancel the other?
My hubby did exactly the same thing, migrated his old iPhoto content to his new MacBook Pro and he has iPhoto '11. I have tried to download it but it seems that it's too big to download, it requires a physical disc. My computer came with the software already loaded.
If anyone can give me any pointers on how to fix this I'd be so grateful.
Thanks,

How did you migrate the iPhoto content?
As to iPhoto version - iPhoto does not come with any OS - it comes on new computers and can be purchased as part of iLife or in the App store
reinstall iPhoto - go to your receipts folder ("Your hard drive" ==> library ==> receipts) and remove any iPhoto receipts and reinstall from the restore disks that came with your computer - do a custom install of bundled software only
For more information click here for the MacWorld article on reinstalling OS X applications.
LN

IPod touch library to new MacBook Pro

Previous computer was stolen so I do not have access to it. My iPod touch has over 1,000 songs, only some of which were purchased on iTunes. Does anyone know how I can get my ENTIRE iPod touch library into my new MacBook Pro iTunes library? Thanks for your suggestions.

Take a look at the post by Zevoneer:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10570955#10570955

Copying iPhoto Library to new MacBook Pro

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for