Simplest way to copy iPhoto library

What is the simplest way to copy the iPhoto library from my laptop to my new iMac? I don't want to use migration because iPhoto and iTunes are the only things I want. I've synced contacts,mail,etc with Mobile me.

Connect the two macs together and then drag the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the Laptop to the Pictures Folder on the iMac.
Then launch iPhoto.
That’s it.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

How do I use/copy iPhoto library from my MBP to iMac?

I purchased a new 3TB iMac and wanted to use my existing ~128GB iPhotoLibrary from my MBP. I tried to AirDrop the library, but, after 12 hours or so, it was downloaded as a "package" kind file instead of a "photoLibrary".
For now, I have both machines in the sharing mode and "switched" the iPhoto library on my iMac to use the MBP one.
Any help is appreciated.
-- Regards,

The iPhoto Library is a package since iPhoto 7 (08). Did you try to open the packaged library after the transfer was done?
A safer way to copy the library to your iMac is to connedt the two with a LAN or in Target Disk Mode, Transferring files between two computers using FireWire, and manually drag the library from the MBP to the iMac. If you new iMac doesn't have a FW port you might need a Thunderbold to FW adaptor to do the Target Disk Mode.
Another way would be to use an external HD or large enough flash drive to copy.
OT

I am trying to copy iphoto library Error Code 36

I am trying to copy iphoto library from one hard drive to another and get the message The Finder can’t complete the operation because some data in “iPhoto Library” can’t be read or written. (Error code -36) = Need to back iy up or my wife will kill me. thanks for help

Here is something you can try:
Obtain iPhoto Library Manager. It is an inexpensive program you can download. Run it and tell it to REBUILD your iPhoto Library from your original iPhoto Library. It will create a NEW file in a destination that you specify (you can specify the other hard drive and thus get a backup all at once) and try to recreate the iPhoto Library based on the info from your original one. Depending on the problem causing your -36 file error, iPhoto Library Manager may (a) successfully recreate your entire photo library successfully on the other hard drive; (b) recreate all of your original photo library except for the part that is damaged; or (c) won't be able to finish at all if the disk problems are severe enough.
If (c) happens, you may have to copy the actual photos individually out of the iPhoto Library and into a new iPhoto Library. The actual photos are inside the iPhoto Library. You can find them by control-click once on the iPhoto Library and select Show Package Contents. The folder called Originals or Masters has the photos (originals) and a folder called Modified or Previews has the edited photos. I suggest COPYING (not moving) these folders to the external drive. You will then need to re-import the actual photos inside these folders to a new iPhoto Library.

What is the best way to copy aperture library on to external hard drive? I am getting a message that say's "There was an error opening the database. The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported".

What is the best way to copy aperture library on to external hard drive? I am getting a message that say's "There was an error opening the database. The library could not be opened because the file system of the library's volume is unsupported". What does that mean? I am trying to drag libraries (with metadata) to external HD...wondering what the best way to do that is?

Kirby Krieger wrote:
Hi Shane. Not much in the way of thoughts - - but fwiw:
How is the drive attached?
Can you open large files on the drive with other programs?
Are you running any drive compression or acceleration programs (some drives arrive with these installed)?
Can you reformat the drive and try again?
Hi Kirby,
I attached the UltraMax Plus with a USB cable. The UltraMax powers the cable so power is not an issue. I can open other files. Also, there is 500GB of files on the drive so I cannot re-format it. Although, I noted I could import the entire Aperture Library. However, I do not want to create a duplicate on my machine because that would be defeating the purpose of the external drive.
Thanks,
Shane

Trying to copy iPhoto Library to external hard drive for backup. Error message: The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in "iPhoto Library" can't be read or written (Error code -36).

Trying to copy iPhoto Library to external hard drive for backup. Error message: The Finder can't complete the operation because some data in "iPhoto Library" can't be read or written (Error code -36).

That code is
-36
ioErr
I/O error (bummers)
Make sure the EHD is formatted OS X Extended (journaled) and run Disk Utilty on the EHD and repair the disk. If that fails to help I'd try the following:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button,
navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
In the next window name the new library and select the external HD as the location of the newly rebild library.
Click on the Create button.
Note 1: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.
Note 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
OT

What is the easiest way to transfer iPhoto library to new computer

what is the easiest way to transfer iPhoto library to new computer

Connect the two Macs together (network, firewire target mode, etc) and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity from the old Mac to the pictures folder of the new Mac - launch iPhoto on the new mac and it will open the library and convert it as needed and you will be ready move forward.
LN

Difference between archive or copy iphoto library

When you control click on the iphoto library you get the choice to "create archive of 'iphoto library' or copy 'iphoto library". How are these different and when would you use one over the other?

Creating an archive of it produces a compressed zip file. Copying it places a pointer to it in the clipboard; if you then paste into a new Finder window, an additional uncompressed copy of the library is created at that location. Pasting to a location which doesn't accept files will only produce the folder's name.
(32298)

Is there a way to "network" iPhoto library to keep all photos accessible on an external drive, but still have access to them online (i.e., somehow host my own cloud)?

My HD is full of photos and videos. I want to have all-the-time access to them, but they clearly can't fit onto my HD. So, what if I (1) connected an external hard drive to my wi-fi router so I could remote access pics w/a network connection-- this way even my wife's macbook could connect to it, creating our own cloud. Or (2) had a way to save the most recent 6mo on my locally and the rest on said external HD? Hardware issues aside, can iPhoto do #1 or #2? In short, is there a way to somehow host my own cloud?
Similarly, how do you keep photos accessible in iPhoto when your HD is full? Do you just switch to Aperture and have multiple libraries?
Thanks!!

So, what if I (1) connected an external hard drive to my wi-fi router so I could remote access pics w/a network connection-- this way even my wife's macbook could connect to it, creating our own cloud.
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.
Or (2) had a way to save the most recent 6mo on my locally and the rest on said external HD?
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.
Now you have two full versions of the Library.
3. On the Internal library, trash the Events you don't want there
Now you have a full copy of the Library on the External and a smaller subset on the Internal
Some Notes:
As a general rule: when deleting photos do them in batches of about 100 at a time. iPhoto can baulk at trashing large numbers at one go.
You can choose which Library to open: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
You can keep the Library on the external updated with new imports using iPhoto Library Manager
how do you keep photos accessible in iPhoto when your HD is full?
Move the Library to an external disk - see above.
Do you just switch to Aperture and have multiple libraries?
Aperture uses as much space as iPhoto and both can do multiple libraries.
Regards
TD

Can't copy iPhoto Library file

I am trying to copy my iPhoto library from one mac to another. I have them connected with an Ethernet cable. The library is about 90 GB. When I drag the library file over it appears to copy about 1/5 of the file (judging by the blue line) and then it stops and says something like, "the iPhoto Library file already exists."
Anyone have any ideas? I certainly checked the target drive/folder and don't see any previously existing library file sitting there.
Thanks in advance!

There must be something more to this problem. I don't think that it is iPhoto library specific b/c I have the same sorts of error when copying other folders of data between the two computers. Strangely enough, when I initiate the copy command from the other computer (the one that has the files I want to copy), it works without a hitch. I guess I'll just do it that way.
Thanks.

Best way to change Iphoto library referenced across multiple external drives

Hello,
I am relatively new to mac and I think I've gotten myself into trouble with my large collection of photos. I have a single iphoto library which references photos on multiple external drives. However, iphoto is now very slow to launch and I believe this is due to the number of photos (~160k+, I think) in the library. How should I reconfigure my iphoto library for better performance? I would still prefer to have a single library if possible, am willing to have multiple if necessary.
Is the best approach to destroy my iphoto library and recreate multiple libraries, one for each drive with the libraries being located on the external drives with the photos? Any negatives to this? I am really worried about losing photos.
From searching the forums I believe I have an approach but I am uncertain if it is the best way. Is the best approach to destroy my iphoto library and recreate multiple libraries, one for each drive with the libraries being located on the external drives with the photos? Any negatives to this? I am really worried about losing photos.
The library itself is on the main hard drive while the photos are spread across 3 external drives, with some on the main drive as well. I have been manually importing the photos through finder, then adding them to iphoto. I am using Iphoto 11.
Any tips, pointers, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

1 - a referenced library is extremely problematic and is strongly not recommended - especially one spread accross several volumes
2 - iPhoto Library Manager - http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/ - can convert to a managed library - check the option to copy imported items to the iPhoto library and rebuil using IPLM
3 - this is likely to cure the slowness too
4 - multiple libraries are not necessary or desireable
5 - the only protection against losing photos is a great backup scheme - I run Time Machine giving me hourly backups and do a daily bootable clone giving a second backup - plus do an occasional off site backup
LN

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

How to open a copied iPhoto library

I recently got a new 2014 MacBook Pro. My old MacBook Pro is a 2009.
I had a 1TB hard drive in my old MacBook Pro and decided to put that into an external drive to keep with me to use with my new computer.
I didn't want to take out or mess with the solid state drive in my new MBP.
My question is:
My iPhoto library from my old MBP is on my external hard drive and is about 350GB I think... Which is huge. And I don't know how to open it on my new MacBook Pro. The library in its entirety is too large to open on my new computer which only has 120GB SSD.
My old MBP has a 160GB hard drive in it, which is the one it originally came with, so I can't open it on that computer either.
I don't know how to be able to access my iPhoto library now that it is too large to be opened on either computer and it's on my external hard drive. I also don't know if there's a way to be able to view the photos in your library without physically opening it through iPhoto.
Any help is much appreciated!

Did you try to right click on the iPhoto library on your external drive and click on "show content"? After that you should be able to find the folder containing the photos you want and copy them to your new MacBookPro.

Best backup method? / copying iphoto library to alternate Mac iphoto

Since Iphoto '09 no longer keeps the .IMG photo files in the Pictures directory, do you export all photos to folders to get the .IMG files back online? Then you back them up?
I was going to back the .IMG files up to a cd.
I have some DVDs, so I don't know if that is more sufficient with more disk space capacity. I could write them to a DVD.
Since Iphoto is not saving/storing .IMG files automatically anymore, then I suppose I should also back the Iphoto library file to cd or DVD.
Additionally, we are a Mac family with 3 other Macs. I was thinking that I could back the photos up by putting the Iphoto library onto one of them. When I shared my Iphoto library on our home network I did it in read only format. I went onto the other Mac and moved its Iphoto library out of the way. Then I tried to copy the main shared Iphoto library over to this Mac's hard drive. It would not let me.
I told the second Mac's Iphoto to use the library on the original Mac. It said that it was a different version of Iphoto and would have to update the library. Again I had my Iphoto library shared in Read-only mode. I allowed the update to occur. The photos sync'd to the second Mac Iphoto.
Then I couldn't use my iphoto library on the original machine. It actually changed the shared file system. I ordered and installed ILife/Iphoto '09 on both machines. I can now access all of my photos within Iphoto on the original system. But since I cannot copy the shared Iphoto library over to the hard drive of the second Mac, I am unsure how to proceed in using the second Mac as a backup for the Iphoto library.
I suppose I would want all undeleted photos backed up with whatever the latest version of the pictures is. It just takes a while to back up to cd, and I have to break it up to fit on multiple cd's since I have a 5GB library. That's why I thought I could back them up to the other system.
Also my computer, since I upgraded to Iphoto '09 is very slow if Iphoto is open. So I suspect I must be reaching some limit on the size of the library. I am concerned I may loose all my photos so I want to back up before that happens.
Thanks

beccah
Since Iphoto '09 no longer keeps the .IMG photo files in the Pictures directory, do you export all photos to folders to get the .IMG files back online? Then you back them up?
I'm sorry but this makes no sense. What do you mean by a .IMG file? That's a suffix you can find on a disk image and iPhoto has simply never imported or managed such files.
By ".IMG file", do you mean your Photos?
Regards
TD

Best way to "split" iPhoto library?

Usually, at the beginning of the year I create a new, clean library for iPhoto. This helps me keep my library size managable. Well, this year I forgot to do it and now my iPhoto library contains pictures from 07 and 08. Is there an easy way to split my iPhoto library? How do I create a new library with my 08 pictures? There must be a way to do it. I know what events I want to move to a new library I'm just not sure how to go about doing it.

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
iPhoto Library Manager will copy Events and well as Albums, for further information consult the Help on the app or contact the Developer.
I have an external network drive to store the libraries so I also want to experiment with sharing those libraries with my wife
Users have consistently reported problems when using a disk not formatted for OS X (such as a NAS) with iPhoto. These issues include problems sharing, problems saving changes and others. I would not recommend using iPhoto on any disk not formatted for OS X.
Regards
TD

Is there a way to recover iPhoto library after erasing drive and clean install of Mavericks?

Is there a way to recover the photos in my iphoto library after erasing my SSD drive and reinstalling mavericks? My time capsule backed everything up except iphoto, and I had 3 years worth of important photots in there. Is there any way to recover them?

In addition to using a Time Capsule drive and using Time Machine, with this painful lesson learned, in the near future, purchase another high quality, high speed (USB 3.0, Thundetbolt OR FireWIre 800 depending what connections are on your Mac) external hard drive, formatted for Mac, and use a data cloning app such as CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to make bootable clones/copies of your Mac's entire internal hard drive.
Bootable clones and data cloning apps are the best and most reliable way of creating reliable backups of your important data in the future.
Also, my other advise stands, too! If you have data the is like "gold" to you copy this data manually to other media such as CDs/DVDs and/or high capacity USB flash drives.
Sorry you have lost your precious photos.
Painful lesson, but good info to prevent this all from happening,again.
WIth computers, having many copies and redundancies of data is key to never losing important computer data.
Again, sorry.

Simplest way to copy iPhoto library

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