Share iPhoto library between accounts

I want to share the same pictures and music folder amongst all the accounts, admin and otherwise. What's the easiest way to do this? I thought if I gave everyone read and write access from the admin account the other accounts would default to the shared ones.

There are two ways to share, depending on 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.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
This will also work for iTunes.
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.)
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

Similar Messages

  • 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.

  • How can I share iPhoto library between users on same mac. External hard drive has not worked.

    I need to share and edit photos between users on one mac. I have tried sharing the file on an external drive but this has caused all sorts of problems with photos disappearing and/or not being able to be edited. I was hoping iCloud sharing or family would work but being on the same machine I need the main iCloud account active at all times. This is a workplace so the second user has minimal access permissions.

    okay I'm not sure if I'm missing something, but i just imitated the same scenario on my mac and it seems to work fine. I made sure to change permissions of the shared folder AND the the actual photo library. I gave everyone access to everything (as far as the folder & library was concerned). I uploaded & viewed from both accounts. You might want to view permissions of your entire disk in disk utility to make sure there isn't an error.. Make a backup first though.
    The permissions will not stick. Earlier iPhoto versions did allow this, because iPhoto did not write to an iPhoto Library if you only wanted to browse it, but with iPhoto '11 the behaviour changed. Opening an iPhoto Library from a different account will write files with changed ownership right into the library, and that will cause problems if you edit or tag photos from a second account. The document I linked to in my earlier post is Apple Support's answer to these permission problems, when using a shared folder:     iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users

  • Can I share iPhoto library between 2 machines on a Time Capsule?

    My mother-in-law has 2 MBP's, and a lot of pictures (almost 100 GB). She bought a TC and would like to put her pictures on it, and be able to access them from 2 machines in iPhoto '09. I got elected to do this job. I know how to move an iPhoto library, as I've done this on my wife's computer to free up space. But, I haven't done it with a TC nor have I tried to set up 2 machines to share the same iPhoto library. I have the library currently copied onto the TC, but am not sure exactly how to proceed from here. Help?

    a couple of things - to do this all macs must have the same version of iPhoto
    If you are using the Time Capsule for Time Machine you should not put your iPhoto library on the same volume - you either need to create a disk image on the TC for your iPhoto library or partition the TC so there is a TM volume and another one for iPhoto
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  • Moved iPhoto Library between Accounts. Oh Crap...

    I moved my iPhoto Library from iPhoto '08 from one account to another (on the same Mac), but now the Library file on the new account is blank and unrecognisable by iPhoto. HELP!!!!!

    Kim:
    Try the following:
    Run iRepair on your iPhoto LIbrary package as follows:
    1 - download iRepair and launch.
    2 - click on the lock and enter your admin password
    3 - click on the Select button and navigate to and select the iPhoto library.
    5 - set the owner to your short admin name with read, write and execute privileges.
    6 - set group to staff or the current group with read, write and execute privileges
    7 - set others to read only
    6 - click on the Apply button.
    See if this will correct the problem.
    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.

  • I want to share iPhoto library between users.

    We just bought our first iMac and we are trying to set it up for three users, my wife, my son, and I. I want to each have our own email and web bookmarks (parental controls for our son), but I want to share the iPhoto pictures between two of the three users, just not our son. How do I do this?

    Have a look at > iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users

  • How do I share iphoto library between two computers

    I have a MacBook Pro 15 and an iMac. Most of my pictures and movies are loaded onto my MacBook, but some are on the iMac. I want to combine these onto an external drive (which should free up space on both HD's) and use the external drive for all my pictures and movies. How do I go about doing this and getting both iPhoto's on each computer to look at the external drive when opened?
    Thanks!

    1. Use the paid version ($20) of iPhoto Library Manager to merge the libraries. It's the only way to do this.
    2. Make sure the external is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Set it to ignore permissions and then pow the merge Library on it.
    3. From each machine in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and point iPhoto at the Library.
    Some caveats:
    1. Iphoto is not a server or multi-user application. One one machine can access the Library at a time.
    2. Connecting via wireless is fine if all you're doing is viewing. If you're trying to edit the Library (that is, make albums, move photos around, keyword, make books or slideshows etc.) or edit individual photos in it via Wireless be very careful. Dropouts are a common fact of wireless networking, and should one occur while the app is writing to the database then your Library will be damaged. Simply, I would not do this with my Libraries. 
    Regards
    TD

  • ITunes - Possible to share iTunes Library between accounts?

    Hello all,
    I'm an experienced Mac user but am currently setting up a new iMac for my family. I've never had more than one user account because I'm the only one who uses my macbook but now my family wants 3 different user accounts for the new iMac in their home.
    Because I only use my one user account at home, I never thought about the fact that different user accounts would also split up iTunes music libraries. If I import music from a CD, I would like that to be accessible and available when using any 1 of the 3 user accounts. Is this possible?
    For example, my mother and father purchase CDs together...so they both own the same albums. They want to share music on the iMac, but if I import discs twice it takes up twice the amount of time and much more importantly twice the amount of space. How can I get around this??? Can one user access another users iTunes library and make that the default folder?
    Thanks for your help as always!!

    Try this thread.
    Bottom post, should work.
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=6230065#6230065

  • How to share iTunes library between accounts

    Lots of various ways have been sugested but none kinda work the easy way i was looking for. So, here's what i did and it works great... so far. (sorry if this is a repeat of something somebody has already said, if so I didn't find it):
    1- moved the iTunes music folder to the shared folder (probably not neccessary anymore but it will stay there...)
    2- changed the pref in iTunes under advance to find this new path. (in both accounts)
    3- downloaded BatChmod
    4- draged both user folders over the utility icone (one at a time) and checked marked all settings to give max permissions to both accounts. also checked both autor/owner and unlock then applied. (now all I have and all my wife has under each accounts are totaly accessible by both)
    5- Since my account had the latest version of the iTunes library file I alt/command draged an alias into the other acount. Deleted the existing iTunes library file.
    Tested and works great... if i make a change it's noticible in both accounts and vice versa.
    Hope this helps
    Regards,
    Cubi
    iMac G5 20" iSight Mac OS X (10.4.3)
    iMac G5 20" iSight Mac OS X (10.4.3)
    iMac G5 20" iSight Mac OS X (10.4.3)
    iMac G5 20" iSight   Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

    Cubi,
    I apologize in advance for bothering you, but I am having problems. These are the steps I followed:
    1. Moved Itunes Music Folder to shared folder and changed location of music folder in Itunes Preferences to point to the shared folder in both user accounts. My library is the only one currently on the system.
    2. Downloaded and ran BatChmod on entire user (house icon) for both me (User 1) and then logged into User 2 and ran BatChmod on entire User 2 house icon. As suggested I checked every box on the BatChmod utility including auto/owner and unlock and then applied.
    3. Created Alias of Itune Library file in User 1 (my) directory and copied it into User 2's ITunes Music Directory, removed Alias extension and deleted existing ITunes Library file in User 2's account.
    The files are currently organized as:
    - User 1 (seth) ITunes Account contains:
    - ITunes Library data file
    - ITunes Music Folder
    - ITunes Music Library.xml
    - Shared ITunes Folder contains:
    - ITunes Music Folder
    - User 2 ITunes Account contains:
    - ITunes Library data file (former ALIAS - arrow indicates still alias)
    - ITunes Music Library.xml
    When I (User 1) open ITunes, everything works fine and I see my playlists and library. However, when I try to open Itunes logged in as User 2, I get the following error message: "ITunes music library file is locked, on a locked disk or you don't have permission to access it."
    I already ran BatChmod so I followed your suggestion and went to Command-I and insured that all Ownership, Permissions and Details state that Owner, Group and Others all have "Read & Write" permissions. Its still not working.
    Any suggestion what I am doing wrong? Did I make it overly complex? Sorry to bother but your instructions make it seem really easy.
    Seth

  • 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

  • HT1198 I want to share iphoto libraries between users but not make a copy of my entire library

    I want to share an iphoto library between 2 users.  I have my entire 75gb library saved onto the hardrive on one user account.  I have now created a user account for my wife so that she can use photo-sharing with her phone, and I want her to have access to the same photo library.  How can I give her user account access to the photo library without making a copy of this 75 gig library?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198
    LN

  • HT1198 If I share an iPhoto library between multiple users, will the Faces, Events, and Places be automatically usable by all users, or will each user have to tag all the photos (e.g. if a user tags a face, will a different user have to do it in their own

    If I share an iPhoto library between multiple users, will the Faces, Events, and Places be automatically usable by all users, or will each user have to tag all the photos (e.g. if a user tags a face, will a different user have to do it in their own iPhoto application??

    Have you read this Apple document regarding sharing a library with multiple users: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users?
    OT

  • Can i share an iPhoto library between 2 computers ???

    Can i share an iPhoto library between 2 computers, it I store my library on a AS drive connected to an AirPort Extrême Base Station ?

    on a AS drive
    Do you mean NAS drive? No.
    iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, saving edits and sharing the photos.
    Will it be wireless? That's good for viewing but...
    A strong warning: If you're trying to edit the Library (that is, make albums, move photos around, keyword, make books or slideshows etc.) or edit individual photos in it via Wireless be very careful. Dropouts are a common fact of wireless networking, and should one occur while the app is writing to the database then your Library will be damaged. Simply, I would not do this with my Libraries. 
    Regards
    TD

  • 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

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