Sync Mac iPhoto library with multiple Macs and devices using iCloud

Our house is a "Mac" house. My wife and I have two iMacs, two iPhones, and an iPad. I have 30,000 photos in my library dating back to 2002 with a size of 100 Gb. I am paying the $3.99/month for 200 Gb of storage, but currently only using about 7 Gbs. I am running the latest of everything. iOS 8 on devices, and Yosemite on both iMacs.
I am having troubles maintaining two separate libraries. I will upload to my iMac, my wife will upload to her iMac, but I want our entire library to be synced on both computers. Furthermore, I want pictures to show up on all devices. How do I get my entire 30000 photo library on my iMac uploaded to iCloud? I want the entire library to be synced to all our devices? I want all of our photos that we have taken to be in one happy consolidated iPhoto Library, accessible on every computer and device.
Thanks
Kevin

This is not yet possible between Macs and iOS devices, but the new Photos.app for Mac, to be released early next year, will support it.
Right now, only the iOS 8 devices can use iCloud Photo Library (Beta). That will store the Photo Library in iCloud and sync to all iOS devices. See: iCloud Photo Library beta FAQ - Apple Support
Macs can upload to iCloud Photo Library currently only from the web interface: https://www.icloud.com/#photos.
It is not clear, if the Photos.app for Mac will support family sharing. We do not know much about the new app to come.
The iOS version only supports one AppleID so far.
And it cannot yet be recommended to upgrade the iOS devices to Cloud Photo Library Beta, because you will no longer be able to use iTunes Photo Sync or My Photo Stream to upload photos to your iOS devices.
I want all of our photos that we have taken to be in one happy consolidated iPhoto Library, accessible on every computer and device.
Added: iPhoto is a single user database, that needs the iPhoto Library to be stored on a locally connected drive, and it is not possible to store the library on a network volume or cloud storage. The new Photos.app will support the cloud storage.
Apple's recommendation for sharing a library between iPhoto users is the sneaker drive:
iPhoto: Sharing libraries among multiple users

Similar Messages

Managing iPhoto Library with multiple accounts

I want to share my iphoto library with multiple user accounts on the same machine. Any suggestions how to do this so when new photos / events are added & created they are accessible to all?
Thank you.

I have another question, do you know anything about using the "referenced library" approach instead? Would this work better?
When you use a Referenced Library you are responsible for file management of your photos, not iPhoto. So when you say "work better", what do you mean?
How to do it:
Simply go to iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library on Import'.
What Happens:
Now iPhoto will not copy the files, but rather simply reference them on your HD. To do this it will create an alias in the Originals Folder that points to your file. It will still create a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version within the iPhoto Library Folder.
Some things to consider:
There are a number of potential pitfalls using this system.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
My own opinion:
I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organisers.
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library as an entity 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.
If you're concerned about accessing the files, There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
Regards
TD

Is there a way to sync my saved user ids and passwords between Mac and iPhone using iCloud?

Is there a way to sync my saved user ids and passwords in Safari between Mac and iPhone using iCloud? Like I can do using Chrome for Mac and iOS...

You three would do better to sync to google directly. Google has a blackberry app that will allow you to sync your contacts and calendars. The app isn't perfect, but it works reasonably well, especially if you're just using one calendar to sync.
Then there's plenty of ways to sync those to your iPad using Google, including Exchange, or simply adding it as a google account.
As for iCloud, there really isn't any supported or unsupported method to do what you're trying to do, at least at this time. If there is, it would definitely be a hack and I would be wary of risking your contact or calendar data on it..

I can't seem to see sync my mac and iphone using iCloud with numbers and pages how can i correct this?

Hi
I've used Numbers and Pages for IOS for sometime now and when i use safari to look at my icloud account i can see all my files. Recently i bought Numbers for Mac and now whenever i create a spreadsheet on my mac i can't see it on my iphone but i can if i login to icloud. In fact i can only see about 16 files on my iphone when there is over 40 files.
Although i don't yet have pages for mac i now have a similar problem with Pages, whenever i edit a file or even create a file on IOS it doesn't appear in icloud.
I did think it was something to do with me not selecting backup to icloud so i then spent £14 to upgrade my storage to 15GB and that hasn't helped.
I've checked all the settings and can't see anythng that will cause the problem.
My iphone is running IOS 6 and my Mac is running Mountain Lion 10.8.2
Does anyone know how to correct this mess?
Many thanks in advance.
Mick.

Problems with buttons and links at the top of the page not working can be caused by an extension like the Yahoo! Toolbar or a Babylon extension that extents too much downwards and covers the top part of the browser window and thus makes links and buttons in that part of the screen not clickable.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes
Start Firefox in <u>[[Safe Mode|Safe Mode]]</u> to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).
*Do not click the Reset button on the Safe mode start window or otherwise make changes.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode

How to share one iTunes library with multiple computers AND Apple TV? Help?

It seems like my dilemma may not be easily solved. Hopefully it isn't as complicated as I think it will be. Here's the situation:
My wife hates that, in order to see or do anything with the images she takes, I need to have iPhoto open on my computer (Mac Pro), and she then has to connect to it over sharing.
By the same token, I don't like that she buys iTunes content on her MacBook, which is sometimes a duplicate of content I already have. Now that the App Store is out, that is going to start getting really expensive.
So instead, I want us to be able to:
1) Have ONE iTunes library on the network, and ONE iPhoto library. Both of these would be accessible to any computer on the network. When you launch iTunes, you would get all the media that is in that library.
2) Both be able to access iTunes at the same time to listen to / watch content.
3) Both be able to purchase iTunes content, and when it it purchased, it updates that single library. If I buy a song, the next time my wife fires up iTunes, that song is there for her to listen to.
4) Have our two Apple TV units be able to play content from this library.
So, I know that we need something on the network. I have a Drobo with DroboShare, so that is one option. I also have a spare Mac Pro laying around, along with a copy of OS X Leopard Server.
I just don't know what route we should take with this. All I want is for us to share a library, to be able to both use that library, for us to be able to sync content from that library to our portable devices, and for our Apple TVs to also see that library.
Possible?!

I'm sort of in the same boat. We've got an iMac with separate User Accounts set up and are currently sharing the same iTunes and iPhoto libraries along with streaming them to our Apple TV.
Right now I'm the only one with an iPod, however she'll be getting one in a couple of weeks.
We also just picked up a MacBook yesterday and I'd like to be able to sync certain libraries like iTunes and iPhoto so that no content gets duplicated on either the iMac or MacBook and so that we both have access to the current libraries for each program on our iPods and AppleTV.
I have an external hard drive that I back up the iMac on and I assume I could manually keep things current with that but there's got to be an easier way...that's why these are Macs right?
Bill

HT1296 How to sync Notes from iPad with Notes from Outlook 2011 using iCloud

Have been using iCloud successfully on my iPad and iPhone for photos, documents. But want to sync the Notes app items from the iPad to my iMac. Am assuming it would go to Outlook 2011 - but not clear how the sync works. Or does there have to be a separate App on the iMac for Notes?

I'm unfamilar with Outlook 365 but you can investigate the iCloud program. See if it'll work over wifi to sync your notes.
You might also be able to save your notes or export them out of outlook, e-mail them to yourself and then import them from there.

How to share itunes library with multiple users, and keep organised

Hi,
I'm using iTunes (v12) on Windows 7 and am trying to set myself up so that multiple users on this PC are sharing the same library. I've followed the guidance mentioned on a couple of other threads, and put the library in the Users\Public\Music location, and on each user account have pointed iTunes to this location. This has worked OK, as both users can see all the music.
However, problems arise when User A deletes a couple of files (duplicates for example) - User B logs in, and the song is still listed in the library, but with an alert stating the original file cannot be located. They then have to go through the library and also delete these entries. Equally, if User B adds some music files (as opposed to iTunes downloads), they are not visible to User A until they "Add file to library..."
Are there any further steps that I can take to keep both users views of the library identical, without manual intervention by the second user whenever the first makes a change?
Cheers,
Matt

The way you've set it up each user has a distinct library, but is accessing a common set of media files and folders. To accomplish what you want, you need to have a complete iTunes library (database + media) in a common location - typically this would be C:\Users\Public\Music\iTunes. See turingtest2's notes on Make a split library portable for the steps that may be needed to bring your library into a suitable structure. Based on your description, you'll need to select one user's library (C:\Users\username\Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl) to act as the shared "master" and move this to the Public folders.
Then, for each user, hold down SHIFT while starting iTunes - when you get this prompt:
click on Choose Library..., navigate to C:\Users\Public\Music\iTunes, select the iTunes Library.itl file you'll find there, and click Open (you'll only need to do this once for each user account).
Note, though, that iTunes is inherently a single-user application - any attempts to run iTunes at the same time will cause errors (and, in the worst case, possible corruption). For this reason, its a good idea to disable fast user switching in Windows so that only one user can be logged in, and running iTunes, at the same time.

I synced my iphone 5 with my computer and save all the photos to my phone through itunes. i restored my mac and lost all my photos on the mac but i still have them on my phone. how do i get them on my new mac now?

i synced my iphone 5 with my computer and save all the photos to my phone through itunes. i restored my mac and lost all my photos on the mac but i still have them on my phone. how do i get them on my new mac now?

how do i get them on my new mac now?
Be careful, when you connect the iPhone to your mac, unless you have saved the photos. Synced photos may easily be accidentally deleted by syncing again. And do not enable iCloud Photo Library (Beta), that will erase synced photos as well. Synced Photos are not included in the device backups.
Set your iTunes Preferences to "Devices > Prevent iPos, iPhones, iPads from syncing automatically". Otherwise iTunes may launch and sync your iPhone with an empty iPhoto library the moment you connect it.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to sync the synced photos back. Apple recommends to mail them back, but that would be a lot of clicking (iTunes: Syncing photos - Apple Support). You could also share them to a Shared Album, but a third party app like TD recommended, will be better.

Upgraded: New Mac, Setting up iPhoto Library From Multiple Old Backups

Over the years (Jaguar to Snow Leopard), I've had multiple Macs in different locations (work, home) to which I've loaded photos from cameras into multiple iPhoto libraries. As these Macs have died (G4s, G5s), or I've been forced to upgrade, I've made a backup on CDs and DVDs of the iPhoto libraries (different versions of iPhoto over the years).
Now I've got a brand new Macbook Pro and I want to put all these photos into one library on one disk. I don't care much about preserving photos edited in iPhoto (I use Photoshop for serious editing), nor do I have particular album or roll data from these old libraries that matters. I just want to get all the original photos into one library so I can search and access them all in one place.
I have always found the way iPhoto organizes the photos on disk a bit confusing, especailly when it comes to backing up and accessing the files at the Finder level. And now it seems things have gotten even more dumbed away from the user in "package" w/ the latest iPhoto.
I would like to just have my photos in a folder, not a "package," but I would like to be able to search and organize photos and load them to my iPod Touch. (Maybe isn't the best application for me?) I'd also like my iPhoto folder to be on an external HD.
This is one of those grueling tasks I've been putting off for years. So many disks, so many libraries, how to get them all into one. I want to get it right once and for all, so I'll have all my photos on in one place and hopefully in a Finder-level folder that will be easy to back up and easy to port to my next Mac down the road in the future.
Can anyone offer any advice on the best way to proceed? Anyone else been through something like this?
Thanks in advance,
Babz

This is actually more simple than it seems as you
just want to get all the original photos into one library so I can search and access them all in one place.
So, create a Library: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library' and import the contents of the originals from the other Libraries: (File -> Import, Drag to the iPhoto Window, Drag to the iPhoto icon on the Dock)
That's all your originals in a single Library.
I have always found the way iPhoto organizes the photos on disk a bit confusing, especailly when it comes to backing up and accessing the files at the Finder level.
It's actually quite straightforward, but the key is +you don't access the files at a Finder level+.
And now it seems things have gotten even more dumbed away from the user in "package" w/ the latest iPhoto.
Remember: iPhoto is a Database. Like any database, you need to manipulate the data via the db and not a back door.
Since iPhoto 7 (iLife 08) the old iPhoto Library Folder is now a Package File. This is simply a folder that looks like a file in the Finder. The change was made to the format of the iPhoto library because many users were inadvertently corrupting their library by browsing through it with other software or making changes in it themselves. That's why +you don't access the files at a Finder level+.
Want to see inside: Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.
Standard Warning: Don't change anything in the iPhoto Library Folder via the Finder or any other application. iPhoto depends on the structure as well as the contents of this folder. Moving things, renaming things or otherwise making changes will prevent iPhoto from working and could even cause you to damage or lose your photos.
How the library is organised: There are various files, which are the Library itself and some ancillary files. Then you have three core folders
Originals are the photos as they were downloaded from your camera or scanner.
(ii) Modified contains edited pics, shots that you have cropped, rotated or changed in any way.
(iii) Data holds the thumbnails the the app needs to show you the photos in the iPhoto Window.
But none of that matters, as you never access the files via the Finder.
*To back up an iPhoto Library* make a copy of the Library on another disk. You can automate this process with Time Machine or many other back up apps like Chronosync or DejaVu. There are many, many other options. Search on MacUpdate.
I would like to just have my photos in a folder, not a "package,"
*How to do it:*
Simply go to iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library on Import'.
*What Happens:*
Now iPhoto will not copy the files, but rather simply reference them on your HD. To do this it will create an alias in the Originals Folder that points to your file. It will still create a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version within the iPhoto Library Folder.
*Some things to consider:*
1. Importing and deleting pics are more complex procedures. You have to to put the files where they will be stored before importing them. When you delete them you'll need to remove the files from the HD yourself.
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
4. Because iPhoto has no tools for managing Referenced Files, if, for some reason, the path to the photos changes then you could find yourself resolving aliases for +each photo in the Library+ one by one.
My own opinion:
I've yet to see a good reason to run iPhoto in referenced mode unless you're using two photo organiser
If disk space is an issue, you can run an entire iPhoto Library from an external disk:
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.
If you're concerned about accessing the files, There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
*To use iPhoto with Photoshop*
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
Note that iPhoto sends a copy+ of the file to Photoshop, so when you save be sure to use the Save command, not Save As... If you use Save As then you're creating a new file and iPhoto has no way of knowing about this new file. iPhoto is preserving your original anyway.
There's a lot of material there. By all means come back for clarification if you need it. But I strongly urge you to think very carefully before running a Referenced Library.
Regards
TD

How do i sync my iPhone 5 with my iCal and iTunes on my Mac OS X 10.5.8?

How do i sync my iPhone 5 with my iCal and iTunes on my Mac OS X 10.5.8?

An iPhone 5 requires Mac OS X 10.6.8 or newer to sync.
(77831)

Apple id with multiple users of Macs and device with ML

If a house has three Macs, (John' and, Jan's MacBook Pros and. A MacBook Air (to share)) An iPhone and ipad each.
If we have use same Apple ID for music, apps etc. will all notifications of each others mail etc get sent to all macs and devices?
While using Pages etc. will each others documents turn up on other's machine and devices?
Is there a manual that addresses such issues.
OR do the two have to have two appleids and payout for applications twice?
Hope this makes sense

You can use different Apple ids for iTunes and iCloud in the same account. That way you can share purchases while keeping the documents and messages separate. See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4895 for instructions on setting it up.

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 sync my ipad to my mac, and then use my wifes mac to add media?

Can i sync my ipad to my mac (with my account), and then use my wifes mac (her own account) to add media? ie photos/videos ect
or do all the macs have to have the same acc?

Only when you use the same account on both Macs http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202 and turn on Homesharing; http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3819

I just created a new iPhoto library with holding the option key down and then opening iPhoto with version 7.1.5. I changed the name of the first library to iPhoto library 1 and now I all my photos are gone. My operating system is Mavericks.

I just created a new iPhoto library with holding the option key down and then opening iPhoto with version 7.1.5. I changed the name of the first library to iPhoto library 1 and now I all my photos are gone. My operating system is Mavericks.

launch iPhoto wile holding down the option key and select the original library - when you create a new library of course it is empty
And you seriously need to backup your iPhoto library and purchase and install iPhoto '11 version 9.5.x from the App store and download and run the iPhoto library upgraded \then run the new iPhoto - 7.1.5 is not fully compatible with Mavericks
LN
PS you also need to update your profile - it states that you have OS X 10.6.8

I have an iPhoto library with only Jpeg's in it. I just installed Aperture 3.5 and imported several RAW photos. Shouldn't I now have an Aperture library?

I have an iPhoto library with only Jpeg's in it. I just installed Aperture 3.5 and imported several RAW photos in Aperture. Shouldn't I now have an Aperture library?

Should I create an Aperture library and import all of my photos from iPhoto to the new Aperture library? Then delete my iPhoto library entirely? Just trying to get my library structure correct from the get-go as I plan to shoot only in RAW.
That is not an easy question. There are still a few glitches with the unified library approach. For example, the new iWork applications will not yet show the Aperture library in the Media Browser, only the current iPhoto library. If you are using iWork with your photolibrary, keep it an iPhoto library.
And it is unclear, what will happen, when Aperture or iPhoto will be upgraded to newer versions. Right now you need the latest iPhoto version to be able to upgrade older iPhoto libraries, if you want to open them in Aperture. So probably you will need to upgrade iPhoto as well, if you keep your library an iPhoto library, when both Aperture and iPhoto will be upgraded to Aperture 4 and iPhoto 12.0 or similar. In the long run it will be safer to convert the library to an Aperture library, if you do not want to keep updating iPhoto, but that can wait.
If you want to convert the iPhoto library to an Aperture library, back up your iPhoto library.
Then create a new Aperture library (with File > Switch to Library > Other/New ) and then import your iPhoto library into Aperture using the command "File > Import > Library" and select your iPhoto library.
You will need plenty of space on the drive with the new library. Merging a library into another one will temporarily a lot of working space and may take a long time - several hours for a large library, without visible progress.

Sync Mac iPhoto library with multiple Macs and devices using iCloud

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