Iphoto Question - Sharing the one iPhoto Library by two Users

My wife and I have separate User Areas on the one computer. We would both like access to the same iPhoto Library. I have ticked Sharing photos, put the iPhoto Library in Shared Folder and also put it in Public Folder. The file is marked as restricted access! Is there an answer other than to put a copy of the same iPhoto Library in each users program?
iMac intel Mac OS X (10.4.7)

My solution requires either a partitioned disk OR an external disk. If you've had your computer for any length of time without partitioning, you don't want to do it now. However, if you have any plans for an external drive...
Simply move the library to the external drive. Use GetInfo to ensure that the drive is set for "Ignore Permissions." Delete the library from it's original location (but don't empty the trash just yet).
Open iPhoto. It will ask for help in locating the drive. Direct it to the location on the external drive. If everything is OK, empty the trash. Then log off and log on as your wife. Delete her (presumably empty) drive and fire up iPhoto. Direct iPhoto to the location on the external drive.
You will both have EQUAL access to the library.

Similar Messages

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

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.

Sharing iPhoto library between two user accounts on the same Mac

My wife and I each have an iPad and we share the same iMac. We each have our own user account on the iMac. She syncs with her account, and I sync with mine. This works fine in general, but we store all our photos within iPhoto on my account. She is therefore unable to sync the photos to her iPad. The same is true with the music that we keep on the iTunes in my user account.
Is there a way for her to sync so that the photos and music sync with her iPad also?

I have used a program called iPhoto Library Manager (http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/) for years and it has worked like a charm. The program handles all of the permission/subfolder aspects transparently. Our iPhoto library is stored in my wife's default location, but I have seamless read-write access to it. When I open iPhoto, I see the same thing she does, and I have complete control.
To answer your question about music, there are a couple of approaches. If you turn on Sharing in iTunes, and your wife's iTunes is set to look for shared libraries, she'll be able to have complete access to play anything in your iTunes library (as long as you have iTunes open). I believe she also has rights to copy files from your iTunes library into hers.
That's great for playback on a Mac, but what you can't do is sync an iPod/iPad/iPhone with someone else's shared library, so here's how I do it:
1) My iTunes library is our "primary" library, located in my Public folder (where other users have read-access).
2) In my wife's iTunes, library, I hit keystroke Apple-O to add content to her library, and navigated over to my iTunes Library in my public folder to select it. Once I did this, her iTunes library looked like mine.
3) The key thing is that under her iTunes Advanced Preferences, I ensure that "Copy content to iTunes library" is deselected. Otherwise, it would make a copy of my entire library on her side, and that would chew up a ton of disk space.
Note that I don't think it's entirely necessary to have the iTunes library in the Public folder. It could stay in the default location as long as you changes your music folder to have read-access by other users. I moved mine before I knew any better.
When I add new content to my library that my wife wants, we hit Apple-O from her side and add it to her library. This setup is kludgy, but a) both users can sync the music to iDevices and b) it doesn't require having two copies of everything. Note that unlike the iPhoto Library Manager solution, this is a static thing. You have to manually update the "satellite" library to keep it up to date with the main one.
I'm not in front of my Mac, so some of my notations may not be completely accurate.
Good Luck!

How do I move an iPhoto library between two users (secondary user to admin user) on the same mac?

Hi there,
I accidentally created a second profile for myself on a mac some time ago in a migration and am now starting to move all my files from the second profile to the admin profile.
I want to move my iphoto library from the secondary user to the admin user but I don't know which file to move.
Is it as simple as copying the iphoto library in the pictures directory to the shared users drive and then copying that file over to pictures directory in the admin profile?
What if there already is an iphoto library under the admin user? Should I uninstall iphoto, then copy the file over and then install iphoto?
What is the best way of doing this?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Philip

Is it as simple as copying the iphoto library in the pictures directory to the shared users drive and then copying that file over to pictures directory in the admin profile?
Yes.
What if there already is an iphoto library under the admin user?
Are there photos in this Library? If not, overwrite it. If there are then you'll need to rename one of the libraries to prevent overwriting. Then you can use iPhoto Library Manager to merge them
Should I uninstall iphoto, then copy the file over and then install iphoto?
No.
Regards
TD

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.

HT1198 Can you share your iphoto library with two users? and can they use there own apple id for photo stream?

My wife and i have two iphones and one mac mini, we basically want to share our photos and music but also have our individual settings, so I have set up two user accounts, i have managed to share itunes successfully however iphoto'11 will not seem to let us both use it without it needing 'repairing'? any help out there?

You'll need to put the Library on an external disk or Disk Image set to ignore owner ship and permissions.
Regards
TD

Sharing one music library between two users on a mac

I want to set my wife up as a separate user on my mac and share my music file with her so we no longer mix up our iPhone apps. I don't want a second copy on my hard drive. I've tried one method on here HT1203 but it makes a second copy and fills up my hard drive. I do not want to share the whole media library just the music. There must be an easy way to use two iPhones with separate user ids on one Mac so we don't mix up our apps. I would have though that the great Apple would have just sorted this out when you plug in a different device.

First, back up your computer in case it does things you don't like. I'm not testing this on my computer.
You'll have to deactivate iTunes managing your music (deselect in preferences having iTunes organize your music and copying it to your media folder when adding to iTunes). Do the same for iTunes in her account.
Go to your iTunes folder and drag the music folder in Media to the Shared Users folder at the top level of the drive. You may also need to get info on the music folder and change permissions on it and all enclosing items so she has permission to use it too.
It is just possible your copies of iTunes may track all the moves. It would be good if it does. I know I have manage music disabled on my computer and iTunes is good at tracking when I move things around in Finder, unlike when iTunes is totally terrible at tracking when you let it manage music. If it doesn't track then you may have to face rebuilding your libraries using the music in the new location.
You will have to come to an agreement in deleting music. Fortunately in the manually manage mode you are using if you delete a track in your iTunes it will not delete the actual file. You have to manually delete it in Finder which is good because she may still be using the file.
If one of you renames the file, it will affect both. Haven't tried this but in theory you would each retain your individual ratings and last played.
Let us know if it works.
Edit: Found this; compare with my concept piece above:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189

Sharing the same Aperture Library between two Mac's?

gents does any of you manage to share the same Aperture Library between your iMAC and a MacBook?
How can I do it without risking to lose anything or to jeopardize the integrity of my library backup?
the idea is to work on Projects while I am on the move and placing them back into my Main Library sitting on my iMAC at home...
Thx!
P

For each project you want to work on, CTRL + Click the project and "Export -> Project as new library". These new temporary libraries can be moved to your MacBook for working on.
When you come back, import the libraries back to your main Aperture Library with "File -> Import -> Library" and choose to merge your changes. The changes you made will be added to your main library. The temporary libraries can then be deleted.
Deleting them avoids the temptation of working on them later, possibly creating conflicts. It best to export new copies from your main library each time you work away so you know you have current up to date versions.
-Najinsky

One iTunes Library for two users

You guessed it. I'm wondering if it's possible for two users to share a single iTunes Library. I tried moving one user's existing Library to HD/Users/Shared which allowed the other user to select the files as a Library, but now I may only add files to the Library by individually Authenticating each one, while the other User can't change the Library at all.
I have Administrative authority on the computer and the other user has none. Is there a better way to share one music library and save space?
Thanks.

Aaron, my roommate and I have shared a Mac for close to 3 years now. We each have our own account names and each have our own iPods. While it is possible to share the same library, we have never found a way to mirror the two iTunes libraries EXACTLY.
To start, you need to create your default music folder location on a shared drive. Make sure that in both user's iTunes Preferences, you identify the same shared music folder!
Once that is done you can then import all of your music into that directory location, but after User#1 is finished importing music, User#2 needs to File/Add to Library and select the iTunes music folder location (once you do this it should not need to be changed again).
Keep in mind one important thing: If either user deletes a song or makes edits, you will need to immediately switch to the other account and remove the song title (if the first user deleted it) or click on the edited song's name to refelect the edit.
Does this sound cumbersome? It sure does, but it's the only way we have been able to "live in harmony."
Email me anymore of your questions.
Chris

Problems using one music library between two users

I followed to a T the instructions listed under here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 . This was echoed by a Macworld help topic and after several attempts I was able to get the primary user account to recognise the new location of the music files in the Users/Shared folder. I then switched over to the other user account and again tried changing the location and still no luck.
I would like it that all the files are in one location but the two different user accounts for my wife and I maintain separate playlists and ratings so that she can sync her new nano and I can sync my older iPod photo separately.
I tried the alias deal, but it does not keep separate listings and playlists and because I synced my ipod photo first it only shows her nano as a playlist.
Please help, I'm at my wit's end.

Under her account I then started iTunes to do the same. I pointed the app to where the files could be found, but it never populates her library with the songs.
That's normal. Resetting the location of the iTunes Music folder in the iTunes preferences, by itself, only sets where future purchases and imports go. In and of itself it won't reset where iTunes looks for tracks already present. What you need to do now is use the Add To Library command in iTunes and select the iTunes Music library in it's new location. That will then get the tracks into iTunes.
Note for the future that iTunes has no "folder watching" feature, so any new tracks you add from one account will have to be manually added in the other. There is a third-party utility called Hazel that says it can watch a folder and add new content to iTunes automatically, but I haven't tried it myself.

Sharing one library with two user accounts.

I want to share one iTunes library with two user accounts on the same iMac.
I've followed the tutorial where you move the iTunes Music folder to a shared location HD/Shared/iTunes and then pointed both iTunes to that location via the advanced menu, but only the admin account has the music. The other user account iTunes shows nothing.
Also, I've now moved the music folder back to my area on the HD (not shared any more) and now the iTunes music folder shows all the album folders where before I guess they were hidden. Why and how do I get it back to how it was...?
All we're trying to do is share one mac. My wife and I have our own log in user accounts, but want to have the same music and iPhotos accessible on our own set-ups.
Thanks for any help.

Out of interest I got this to work.
I made a folder called 'All Music' and put all the album folders in it.
Moved this folder to User/Shared/ and then clicked on the file, and Get Info.
In Get Info added my wife to Sharing & Permissions as Read & Write.
In iTunes / Advanced found the folder on my user account, and then did the same on my wife's account and hit add to library.
I hope this was the right way to do it..... It seems to have worked.

Hello there - I am sharing an iPhoto library across two accounts on the same computer - it works fine EXCEPT for Quicktime movies - they play on one account and claim I don't have the rights on the other - all permissions are on and ok?

Hello there - I am sharing an iPhoto library across two accounts on the same computer - it works fine EXCEPT for Quicktime movies - they play on one account and claim I don't have the rights on the other - all permissions are on and ok?

It should be in the Users/ Shared folder.
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Note the option to check and repair Library Permissions
Regards
TD

How do I share one Iphoto library with other User accounts on the same iMac

I have created a shared Iphoto Library. When I add this to one of the user accounts, it copies all the pictures instead of sharing the same library. The result is that it uses memory.
Is it possible to create a shared library that is shared by all the users without actually copy all the pictures to each users Iphoto library?

Hi MikaelK,
SHARING IPHOTO LIBRARIES
Sharing libraries between users on the same local network
You can also share a library on the same machine between users the same way.
Sharing libraries between users on the same machine...
-both users must have sharing enabled in their iPhoto Preferences
-both users must be logged in and have iPhoto running
-Remember that you can only view the other library. You can't edit the photos or play the saved slideshows or view the made books or burn them to CD or DVD. The books and slideshows will show up as an album. You can play that album as an "on the fly" slideshow. You can drag images from the sharing library to your library in the source column to import them to your library. You can then edit, add to albums, books, slideshow, etc.
Sharing links from Apple....
Sharing your photos between computers
About shared photos
Turning off photo sharing
Looking for shared photos
SHARING ONE IPHOTO LIBRARY BETWEEN USERS ON SAME MACHINE
You can try one of these three methods:
1- Use iPhoto Library Manager-the paid version
The documentation page will give instructions on how it is done.
2- Sharing one iPhoto library between several users on one machine
3- Share an iPhoto Library in tiger Using ACL's
4- I have also read about ShareAlike
There is no other info on the site about how it works.
I strongly urge anyone wanting to try any of the methods for sharing one iPhoto Library folder among more than one user to backup all iPhoto Library folders before attemptin anything.

Any improvements in sharing an iPhoto Library between multiple users?

It is possible and Apple Approved to share an iPhoto Library between multiple users, but the Library must be stored on a drive or disk image that ignores permissions:
http://tech.kateva.org/2008/10/apple-supports-multi-user-iphoto.html
This doesn't work for me. Has Apple changed anything with iLife '09 to make it easier to share a Library? For example, have they changed from the prior Package format?
Message was edited by: jfaughnan

Alternatives to a trip to the Terminal:
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. The problem here is that OS X works very hard to keep your data safe and secure from the other users. You're trying to beat what's built in to the system. So, to beat the system
Quit iPhoto in both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. You could also use a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.
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.
Lastly: This method seems a little clunky at first, but works very well. Most importantly, it uses the System to do the job for you.
Create a new Account on your Mac, call it Media. Create an iPhoto Library there. (BTW: This will work for iTunes too.)
Enable Sharing on the Library:(Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other accounts. In those accounts, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. The Library will appear in the other source pane.
This means that both users will be able to see the pics. If you want to use a pic then simply drag it from the shared Library to your own in the iPhoto Window. This means that each user can have their own edits.
If you want to add photos to the Library: Log into the Media account for that purpose.
To make it all seamless: Set your Mac to log into the Media Account automatically. Set iPhoto to launch on log-in. Then switch to your own account using Fast User Switching.
Net result: a Library that's permanently available to all users but also protected. Each user can have their own versions of the pics if they want.
No partitioning, no permissions issues. Uses no extra disk space. What's not to like?
Regards
TD

Iphoto Question - Sharing the one iPhoto Library by two Users

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