Managing multiple Photos libraries on your Mac or external drives can become cumbersome. If you’re looking to consolidate your photo collection into a single, unified library, merging them is the ideal solution. This guide will walk you through the process of how to merge two Photos libraries using iCloud Photo Library, ensuring a smooth and efficient consolidation of your precious memories.
Understanding the Merge Process with iCloud
iCloud Photo Library offers a convenient method to merge your Photos libraries. The process essentially involves using iCloud as an intermediary to combine the contents of multiple libraries. By designating one library at a time as your iCloud Photo Library, you can upload its contents to iCloud and then merge it with another library. A key tip for efficiency is to start with the smaller library first. This strategy minimizes the iCloud storage needed during the merge, especially if you have libraries of varying sizes. For instance, if you have a 100GB library and a 200GB library, uploading the 100GB library first will be more economical in terms of temporary iCloud storage. The merged library will ultimately reside within the larger of the libraries you choose to merge into.
Step-by-Step Guide to Merging Photos Libraries
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to merge your Photos libraries using iCloud:
Prepare for the Merge
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- Sufficient iCloud Storage: Verify that you have enough iCloud storage to accommodate the photos and videos from both libraries. You might need to upgrade your iCloud storage plan temporarily if necessary.
- Backup (Optional but Recommended): While the process is generally safe, backing up your Photos libraries before merging is always a good practice. This provides a safety net in case anything unexpected occurs.
Upload the Smaller Library
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Open the Smaller Library: Double-click the smaller Photos Library that you want to upload to iCloud Photo Library. This will open the library in the Photos application.
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Set as System Photo Library: Once the library is open, navigate to the menu bar and click on “Photos” > “Preferences” > “General”. Click the button labeled “Use as System Photo Library”. You may find this option is already grayed out if it is already set.
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Enable iCloud Photo Library: Go to “Photos” > “Preferences” > “iCloud”. Check the box next to “iCloud Photo Library” to turn it on.
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Choose Download Options (Optional): If you have enough storage space on your Mac, you can select “Download Originals to this Mac”. This ensures that full-resolution original files are kept on your computer.
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Wait for Upload: Allow sufficient time for all photos and videos from this library to upload to iCloud. The upload time will depend on the size of your library and your internet connection speed. You can monitor the upload progress at the bottom of the Photos window.
Merge the Second Library
- Open the Next Library: After the first library has finished uploading, close Photos and double-click the next Photos Library you want to merge. This will open the second library in Photos.
- Repeat Preferences Settings: Follow steps 2-4 from the “Upload the Smaller Library” section for this second library. Set it as the System Photo Library and enable iCloud Photo Library, using the same iCloud account.
- Wait for Merge and Download: This second library will now upload its content to iCloud. After the upload is complete, iCloud will automatically begin to merge the photos from the first library into this second library. The merged library, containing photos from both libraries, will then download to your Mac. This process might take a while depending on the size of the libraries.
Managing the Merged Library
After the process is complete, you will have a single merged Photos library. This library will be the one you last had open and enabled iCloud Photo Library on. Ensure you have enough storage space on the drive where this merged library is located to accommodate the combined content. You can now enjoy a unified collection of all your photos and videos in one place. You may want to spend some time organizing and ensuring everything is as you desire after the merge is complete.
Conclusion
Merging Photos libraries using iCloud Photo Library is an effective way to consolidate your photo collections. By following these steps and remembering to upload the smaller library first, you can efficiently combine your libraries and enjoy a unified photo management experience in Apple Photos. This method ensures that all your memories are accessible in one place, simplifying your digital life and photo organization.
