Sharing Library Between Users

new to iPhoto...is there a way to share and/or use the same library between two users of the same computer?
i don't want to have to duplicate our photo collection...and my wife and i both have seperate user accounts on our macbook. is there a way to be "tied" to the same library?
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Skimout:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. There are a number of ways to share a conventional library between users on the same Mac. I'm not versed in them but there are some, like Lori, who have compiled a lot of links covering that subject.
However, I am familiar with a way to share a single set of source files on a Mac with multiple user using iPhoto's alias system. This way each user does not have to copy the files into their library, taking up drive space. Each user will have their own edits, albums, slideshows, etc. They will be able to delete photos from their library but not from the source files.
I've creates some Tutorials on how users can convert over to an alias based system and use it for sharing with others. If you don't find what works for you this method might be of some use.
Do you Twango?

Similar Messages

How can I share my iTunes library between user accounts in iTunes 11

Since upgrading my iTunes library to Version 11 I can no longer share the library between user accounts on the same Mac.
The 2nd user is asked to create oir use an iTunes library, but when it is pointed to the Media folder it cannot share it.
Previously in iTunes 10 it all worked fine.
How can this be done please?
The library is in a shared areas that we both have Read/Write permissions to.

jc_hering wrote:
that works for anything he purchases after he creates the new account. What about his current music that currently resides in my itunes library? How can I get his current music out of my library into his new account/library?? Thanks..
Copy it to his computer into his iTunes library and authorize his computer with the iTunes account used to purchase them..
You cannot tranfser items from one iTunes account to another. Purchased items remain part of the iTunes account is was purchased with.
iTunes account - used to purchase items
iTunes library - where purchases (and CD RIPs) go on the computer

Move an iTunes library between users on the same mac

How do I move an iTunes library between users on the same mac?
I accidentally created a secondary user on my mac some time ago when using the migration tool and am now going back and transferring all my files from the secondary to the admin user profile.
I wanted to know which itunes files/folders need to be copied over.
Is the process as simple as replacing the itunes folder on admin with the copied itunes folder from my secondary profile or do I need to delete the admin folder first and then copy the old folder over or do I delete the contents of the folder and replace with the copied contents?
I am using shared folders to move between users, but want to make sure that I am picking the right files to transfer.
Thanks in advance.

Assuming you have left iTunes to default settings so everything is still in the iTunes folder the way iTunes likes it to be, copy the whole of the iTunes folder to the new location. If it is in the default directory (Home > Music) for iTunes the application will automatically use it there for the new account. If you put it elsewhere you will have to start iTunes and immediately hold down the option key to direct it to the new location.
It is just possible you will have to change permissions. If you encounter those issues read the part about changing permissions on the iTunes folder in: https://discussions.apple.com/message/11583914
This is all a slight variant on: iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527

Sharing files between users and macs

My husband and I share an iMac. I have a MBA for traveling and my husband a PC laptop (though he rarely uses for private stuff). We both have iPhones.
We are looking for a way to:
- Share our photos (we don't use iPhoto) and some files. We would like to have this in one shared folder, that we can access from both accounts in the iMac, the MBA and ideally (though not a must) the PC and iPhones. We would both need to have admin rights to edit documents, etc.
- Have access to all the information in my account on the iMac from the MBA. Ideally, same thing for his and the PC.
- Have access to all the data remotely when traveling.
- Have all the data backed up locally (we already have a cloud backup, but we'd like to have a local backup too as it's easier and quicker to access)
We have read a lot about configuration, NAS, time capsule... but we get more and more confused, as we are obviously no tech experts.
Dropbox is not our preferred choice. We already have a cloud backup system. We'd rather have the files stored and accessed locally for everyday use.
Using a NAS to store shared folders and backup the rest sounds good, but they either seem very complicated to set up, or they have mixed reviews in terms of stability, especially to access files remotely.
Timecapsule seems easier and more straightforward, but I'm not sure it would solve the "sharing files between users and macs with admin rights"? It seems to be more focused on backing up the main drive and then providing access to the backed up files. (Though I might be completely mistaken!)
We just can't manage to have one shared folder between both accounts in the iMac. We need to grant admin rights document by document. We don't manage to make it work automatically so we both have one folder to access with full rights for all the contents inside it. And this seems to me like something that should easily be done...?
Any help, advice, proposals... would be greatly appreciated!!!

Move any file you want to the other user to access to the Shared Folder. Anything you put in that folder is available to all users.
The shared folder is here:
Macintosh HD > Users > Shared

Sharing iPhoto Library between users

Is there an easy way to share one single iPhoto Library between 2 different users on the same Mac? My girlfriend and I want to be able to access all our pictures from our separate user screens without having to have all the photos saved twice and using twice as much space. I tried having a central Library and making our separate Libraries an alias link to the main one, but this doesn't work. Any ideas?

The optimal way (and Apple's recommended method) is to have the library on an external HD whose ownership has been set to be ignored . That way both users can add, edit, create slideshows, etc. that both users will have access to. Also the external HD can be used to backup other important files. Also you need to have the library backed up so you could back it up from the external HD to the Shared folder on your boot drive. But both users can't operate it from the Shared folder due to permissions issues.
OR, create a disk image of a size that will hold the library with room for expansion over time and put the library in it and the disk image in the Shared folder. Then have each user set that disk image to be mounted (System Preferences/Accounts/Login Items) automatically when the user logs in. It will act as an external HD with the library in it. Personally, I recommend the external HD with backing up the library to the Shared folder with a backup application like Synk Standard that can do incremental backups after each use of the library.
Here's Apple's document on that: iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users
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.≤br>
Note: There now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

OSX iPhoto App: Sharing Library Between Two Users

Despite the limitations of the new Photos app I am considering migrating our iPhoto/Aperture library to it so that I can take advantage of the iCloud Photo Sharing facility. However the library, which is stored on a suitably formatted ext HDD attached to our iMac, is shared between two Apple IDs, mine and my wife's. This enables us to add photos via either Apple ID and view the entire library on all our devices (we both have iPhones and iPads as well as sharing an iMac and MacBook Pro).
How do we continue to share a joint library using the Photos app and iCloud Photo Library? Trying to keep two libraries in sync is too much hassle and would also require both of us to buy additional iCloud storage. We need a solution that enables both of us to view and add pictures to the library on all devices but only requires one of us to buy additional storage space to store it.

brown_sm wrote:
I recently bought my parents a new MacBook Pro (they switched from Windows). I was able to get all of their songs over and into my dad's iTunes library. My mom and dad each have separate accounts on the MBP, but they'd both like to be able to see (and listen to) the same iTunes library, not at the same time, obviously.
Is that possible? If so how?
the easy way is to use itunes sharing. start itunes in your dad's account and enable sharing in itunes preferences->sharing. then other users including your mother will be able to listen to the songs from your dad's itunes library but ONLY while your dad is logged in. so in order for this to work both of them should be logged in at the same time. to make that possible enable fast user switching in system preferences->accounts->login options. However, this is not terribly convenient.
it's possibly (but surprisingly tricky) to use the same itunes library without having both users logged in at the same time.
Is it enough to point my mom's iTunes to the same folder? Do I need to put special permissions on that iTunes folder while logged into my dad's account?
yes. not just permissions. you need to put inherited ACLs on your dads Music folder to give both of them read+write access to all current and future files in it. so log in as your dad and run the following terminal command (copy and paste please)
chmod -R +a "username allow delete,chown,list,search,add_file,\
addsubdirectory,delete_child,file_inherit,directoryinherit" ~/Music
instead of username put the short user name of your dad's account. it's the same as the name of his home directory in /Users. then repeat the command with your mother's username instead of your dad's. after that log out of your dad's account, log into your mom's account and point her itunes library to his itunes library. to do that start itunes while holding option.

Sharing music library between users

I have just upgraded my Powerbook to Leopard.
I have added two new users.
How can I share my iTunes music library with them.
On my administrator login and on theirs I have gone to iTunes preferences and ticked
Look for shared library
Share my Library on my local network
however they do not get access to my music
thanks
Pete

Thank you.
OK I followed the instructions in the link.
I moved the administrators iTunes Music folder to the computer / Users / Shared folder.
Then I changed the Preference in the admin's iTunes to choose the new location of the folder as instructed. (I chose the Shared folder as the location, not the iTunes Music folder itself)
Then I got a dialog box asking if I wanted iTunes to organize the files and I clicked Yes.
(then I rebooted iTunes)
Then I looked in the Shared folder and was surprised to see that the Shared folder was full of lots of folders of artists names which contain music files. Also in there was the iTunes Music folder which contained a few folders of artists names.
Is this correct? Should all the artist folders be inside the iTunes folder?
Lastly the sharing does not seem to have worked. When I log in as one of the other (non admin) users, and change their iTunes Preferences to locate their ITunes folder as the computer Shared folder, then reboot iTunes, the music is NOT accessible to them. (no music showing in their library)
In the link instructions it says to "follow the above steps for all users who want to share their music"
well as mentioned I changed the non admin users iTunes Preferences to specify the new location inside the Shared folder
but if I also try to follow the step of moving the non admin users iTunes Music folder to the computer Shared folder it asks me if I want to replace it - so I assume I should not duplicate this step.
PHEW !!
Also I noticed in the admins home folder there is also a Shared folder which seems to be a different one to the computer Shared folder. (this one contains other music files)
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
Pete
London
UK
Message was edited by: Peter Whitaker

Sharing iPhoto6 between users on one computer

I would like multiple users on a single iMac to have access to all the pictures in iPhoto. And when I import new photos under one user, I want everyone to see them.
I've read the answers to previous posts on this topic, but hoped that in the last 6 months, it may now be possible to share photos between users on a single iMac. I don't have an external disk, and it seems that that's the best previous answer. Is that still the best answer?
Thanks.
Ken

Ken
Put the iPhoto Library Folder in the Shared Folder, set the permissions to allow everyone access and then point iPhoto in the various accounts to that Shared folder. (To do this, hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. Choose Locate and navigate to the iPhoto Library Folder).
Some caveats: Only one user can access the library at a time. There is no way around this. iPhoto is a single user app not a file server. The risk of database corruption is increased, so backing up vital.
Regards
TD

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

Cannot share itunes library between users after Lion upgrade

Before the Lion upgrade, I was able to share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer. The library is located in HD > Users > Shared. Both users have read and write access to the folder. Home sharing is turned on in iTunes from the one user who can open iTunes.

This can be done with ACLs. I use it to share an iTunes library between my and my wife's user accounts.
First go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups, and make a new group. Call the group itunesshare. Add the users you want to the group.
Then, in Terminal, paste in all of this and press return:
sudo chmod -R +a "itunesshare allow delete,chown,list,search,add_file,\
add_subdirectory,delete_child,file_inherit,directory_inherit" \
Then drag the iTunes Library folder into the Terminal window and press return again. Enter the admin password when prompted.
Your iTunes library will then have full read and write permissions for all users in the iTunesshare group. This includes permissions to any items added to the library at any future time.

Use Sparse Bundle Disk Image for sharing library among users?

Apple's knowledge base article HT1198 (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198) on sharing iphoto libraries among multiple users on the same Macintosh describes using a sparse disk image in the /users/Shared/ directory. For a Mac that uses a Time Capsule for Time Machine backups won't this require the entire iPhoto library to be backed up anytime a picture is added or modified?
Would using a sparse bundle disk image instead work better?
Also, HT1198 doesn't say anything about "Partitions" parameter setting in Disk Utility when creating a blank sparse image or sparse bundle disk image. Does it matter what setting is selected if the image is being kept on the Mac internal disk drive?
Is there any difference between iPhoto '08 or iPhoto '09 when attempting sharing the iPhoto library among users?

I believe it may require the entire bundle to be backed up. You'd best ask that question in the Time Machine forum. They would know more about the ins and outs of TM there.
If you can afford an external FW hard drive that would be the best option by far. No worry about filling up the sparse bundle, and you could use the external HD as a work platform to help keep a minimum of 20 GB of free space on your boot drive for optimal performance of system and applications.

Sharing photos between users

Hello....I'm new to the MAC world and I'm having an issue with Iphoto. I have an account and my wife has an account on our mac. The pictures she has in her account cannot be viewed by myself, and vice versa. I have not been able to figure out how to share those photos between users. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again James

first be sure you are up to date - this works starting with iPhoto '09 version 8.0.2
Sharing via the Shared Folder -- Another major annoyance with versions of iPhoto prior to iPhoto '09 was that you couldn't just put your iPhoto Library in the /Users/Shared folder to share it among multiple accounts on the same Mac, since iPhoto always set the permissions on thumbnails to the account that imported the photos, preventing other accounts from editing those photos and having the edits reflected in the thumbnails.
That limitation has now been fixed in iPhoto '09, so you can share an iPhoto library merely by moving it to /Users/Shared and then double-clicking it to open in iPhoto from each account. You may be prompted to repair permissions on the first access - click the Repair button to do that. Note that this also works for storing an iPhoto library on an external hard disk that's shared among users or on a network volume for access across a fast network.
Only one person may access a shared iPhoto library at a time.
http://db.tidbits.com/article/10204
LN

Sharing Libraries between users.

Hey All
Is it possible to share one iTunes library between multiple users on one computer?
Spencer

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
I found this by typing "share itunes library" into the search bar above.

Sharing itunes between users on one computer

Hi,
How do you share one itunes library between multiple users on one mac? At the moment each user on our computer has their own library which has lead to a lot of music being duplicated. Is there any way to have this all in one library?!
Many thanks

Hi Simon,
Any clues in this link?
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
Regards
Colin R.

Sharing music between users on same computer

My wife and I share the same laptop yet have different itunes accounts. I turned on the home share and can see my daughters music on her computer but my wife cannot see my music when she is signed onto her account. I can go to my account and copy music into her library but there must be another way that we can see each others libraries. I tried consolidating my library and that didn't work either.
How can we keep separate libraries on the same computer yet be able to view them the same way that home share allows us to view music on my daughters laptop?

Hi,
isn't there another way to share iTunes libraries between users on the same Mac, i.e. so that they other user can listen to other user's songs but cannot add, delete or change anything?
To be specific I have my iTunes songs stored in the Music folder under my account (the standard way), but would like my kids being able to access my songs without being able to modify or delete any files. If I would copy my songs to the Public Folder, they would be able to modify or accidentally delete my songs - which I would like to avoid.
Any ideas welcome - but reading some of the articles in this forum I am not very optimistic that this is possible.

Sharing Library Between Users

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