When you first start using Photos, a new library will be created for you. When you add new photos or other items to Photos, those additions are saved in the Photos library. This library will immediately be converted into your System Photo Library, which Photos will then access whenever you launch the application.
You can move the System Photo Library to another folder on your Mac or store it on an external storage device if you prefer. By default, it is located in the Pictures folder on your Mac, but you are free to move it to any other folder on your Mac.
The “System Photo Library” is essentially the most important library that you have. One primary library is permissible for each system at most. Click the “Use as System Photo Library” button on the General tab of this library after you have switched to that tab in order to make it your System Photo Library.
Restore your photo collection using Photos for Mac. If the Photos app is currently running on your Mac, you can close it by selecting Photos > Quit Photos. Press Option-Command and double-click the Photos icon in the Applications folder (or click the Photos icon in the Dock). To rebuild your photo library, select Repair from the menu available in the window labeled Repair Library.
It is highly likely that this library was created when you first opened photos, and it will have migrated the iPhoto Library or Aperture Library that you opened most recently. The iCloud Photo Library feature can be activated if you have a sufficient amount of space available in iCloud.
If you have multiple Photos libraries, at any given time there will be only one that is designated as the System Photo Library. This library is the one that is made accessible to other applications running on macOS so that they can access it directly.
If your Photos Library won’t open, closes unexpectedly, or throws all kinds of error codes, you can use the Photos Repair Library tool to fix the problem. The tool performs a check on the database of your library and automatically fixes any inconsistencies or corrupted files that it finds.
Having said that, the distinction is quite straightforward: iPhoto can only make alterations to the iPhoto Library. Only the Photos Library will be updated when you edit photos with Photos. It’s possible that at some point in the near or distant future (or even right now…) you will come to the conclusion that you will no longer use iPhoto. In that case, you can delete that Library.
Having said that, the distinction is quite straightforward: iPhoto can only make alterations to the iPhoto Library. Only the Photos Library will be updated when you edit photos with Photos. It’s possible that at some point in the near or distant future (or even right now…) you will come to the conclusion that you will no longer use iPhoto. In that case, you can delete that Library.
Added: If you delete the Photos Library from your Mac, the only way to access your photos stored in iCloud will be through the web interface and the Photos app that can be found on the http://www.icloud.com page. You cannot access iCloud Photo Library using Photos on your Mac, unless you make a photos library on an external drive your System Photos Library.
If your Photos Library won’t open, closes unexpectedly, or throws all kinds of error codes, you can use the Photos Repair Library tool to fix the problem. The tool performs a check on the database of your library and automatically fixes any inconsistencies or corrupted files that it finds.
Right click on the Photos library icon and select Get Info. Check to see that there is sufficient space available on the external drive for the library. You can do this in Finder or on your desktop by dragging and dropping the icon of your photo library onto the icon of your hard drive. Hold tight while I finish making the copy.
Added: After you delete the Photos Library from your Mac you can only access the photos in iCloud using the web interface and the Photos. app on the http://www.icloud.com page. You won’t be able to use Photos on your Mac to access iCloud Photo Library unless you first designate a photos library stored on an external drive as your System Photos Library.
You can use the Photos Repair Library tool to correct the issue if your Photos Library won’t open, closes without warning, or throws a variety of error codes. This tool is available in the Tools menu. The tool performs a scan of the database of your library and automatically fixes any inconsistencies or corrupted files that it finds.
Select Get Info from the context menu that appears after you right-click on the Photos library icon. Check to see that there is sufficient space available on the external drive for the library. Drag and drop the Photos library icon onto the hard drive icon either in Finder or on your Desktop. Hold tight while I finish making the copy.
Added: After you delete the Photos Library from your Mac you can only access the photos in iCloud using the web interface and the Photos. app on the http://www.icloud.com page. You won’t be able to use Photos on your Mac to access iCloud Photo Library unless you first designate a photos library stored on an external drive as your System Photos Library.
You can use the Photos Repair Library tool to correct the issue if your Photos Library won’t open, closes without warning, or throws a variety of error codes. This tool is available in the Tools menu. The tool performs a check on the database of your library and automatically fixes any inconsistencies or corrupted files that it finds.
Select Get Info from the context menu that appears after you right-click on the Photos library icon. Verify that you have enough free space for the library on the external drive. You can do this in Finder or on your desktop by dragging and dropping the icon of your photo library onto the icon of your hard drive. Hold tight while I finish making the copy.