Mac app “Photos”, check and change the storage location

I will explain in detail how to check and change the storage location of the data file of the Mac application “Photos” with illustrations.

I will also show you how to switch between multiple data files and how to view the contents of the data files.

What is “Photo Library” in the app “Photos”?

In the Mac app “Photos”, photo and video files are saved together in one file called “Photo Library”.

That said, the reality is that data containing many files and folders is displayed as if it were a single file.

You can also switch between multiple photo libraries, but iCloud can only synchronize and back up the “System Photo Library” that is set by default.

So, unless you have a specific reason, we recommend that you use only “One System Photo Library” as set by default.

How to check the storage location of the “Photo Library”

▶ In “Finder”, start the application “Photos” in the folder “Applications”.

▶ When the app “Photos” starts, select “Photos” – “Preferences …” from the menu bar.

▶ When the “Preferences” screen appears, you’ll see the location of your photo library next to title “Library Location”.

The name of your photo library should be “Photo Library” or “Photos Library”.

Alternatively, it may have “~ .photos library” as an extension , or “写真ライブラリ” in Japanese.

▶ Then click the “Show in Finder” button to bring the “Finder” to the front and display the files in your photo library.

How to change the storage location of the “Photo Library”

▶ While referring to “How to check the save location of the photo library” in the previous section, display the current save location of the “Photo Library” of the application “Photos”.

▶ Exit the app “Quit Photos”.

▶ Brings the “Finder” to the front and shows where you want to move your “Photo Library”, along with the current location of your “Photo Library” that’s already displayed.

▶ Move the “Photo Library” to the destination.

At that time, you can move it within the same drive by dragging and dropping.

If the drive is different, drag and drop will make a copy, so delete the original data after the copy is completed.
(If you don’t want to delete it, you can leave it as it is.)

▶ When you have finished moving (or copying), double-click the moved (or copied) “Photo Library” to launch the app “Photos”.

▶ When the app “Photos” starts, open “Preferences” and click “Use as System Photo Library” next to “Library Location”.

How to switch between multiple “Photo Libraries”

▶ In “Finder”, start the application “Photos” in the folder “Applications”, but at that time, hold down option ⌥ on the keyboard.

▶ A screen for selecting which “Photo Library” to load will be displayed, select the one you want to load.

▶ The “Photos” app will load and launch the selected “Photo Library”.

Where do you save the photos you have imported into your “Photo Library”?

The “Photo Library” is apparently a single file, but in reality, the data of multiple photos and videos are stored as a group.

Here, I would like to take out the original data of the captured photo.

▶ Bring the “Finder” to the front, bring up the “Photo Library” right-click menu, and select “Show Package Contents”.

▶ When the contents of the package are displayed, the photos saved in the following file path are the original data imported into the “Photo Library”.

originals > "Numerous folders with alphanumeric names"

To copy this data, hold down option ⌥ on your keyboard and drag and drop it to the destination.

(Because it will move if you do not press option ⌥.)

By the way, there is a similar image file in the following file path, but this is a thumbnail image.

resources > derivatives > "Numerous folders with alphanumeric names"

Reference information

• Where are the photos I imported into Photos on my Mac?
• Change where your files are stored in Photos on Mac

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