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Feedback to Apple: Multiple libraries to Photos!

T

toke lahti

macrumors 68040
Original poster
I sent this:

I'd wish that Photos could have TWO (2) libraries: one in iCloud and the other local or somewhere else.
You could also enable even more simultaneos libraries.

It is quite stupid that you need to have ALL your content in iCloud or NOTHING.
Click to expand...

What do you think?
 
On Mac you can create multiple Apple Photos libraries, but only one can be set as the System Photo Library, and that is the only one that syncs with iCloud Photos.

Switching which library syncs is possible, but it is manual.
Quit Photos, then reopen it while holding the Option key and choose the library you want.
Once it opens, go to Photos > Settings > General and click "Use as System Photo Library".
After that, go to the iCloud tab and enable iCloud Photos if needed.

Sadly, none of this applies to iPhone and iPad, where you are stuck with a single library.
 
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robbuilder said:
Switching which library syncs is possible, but it is manual.
Click to expand...
D'oh!
I should have clarified, that I (of course) want to use several libraries at the same time with inside the same Photos app.

This gave an idea: Can I start two Photos side by side with each having different library?
And maybe even copy (or just drag!) photos and videos from one to the other?
 
robbuilder said:
On Mac you can create multiple Apple Photos libraries, but only one can be set as the System Photo Library, and that is the only one that syncs with iCloud Photos.
Click to expand...
If I have Photos open with another library, does the iCloud Photos still sync with System Photo Library in the background?
Or just then, when I start Photos with that System Photo Library?
 
FreakinEurekan said:
I’d update your feedback to Apple. That capability isn’t obvious in your initial post at all.
Click to expand...
Do you think this would work:
"I'd wish that Photos could have TWO (2) libraries SIMULTANEOUSLY: one in iCloud and the other local or somewhere else.
You could also enable even more simultaneos libraries.

It is quite stupid that you need to have ALL your content in iCloud or NOTHING."
 
Last edited:
Open as many instances of Photos you like with as many libraries.
AppleScript that can be saved as an app (needs permission to send keystrokes):
AppleScript: 
tell application "System Events"
    key down option
    do shell script "open -n /System/Applications/Photos.app"
    delay 3
    key up option
end tell

Video
I don't use Photos or iCloud, this is a test in a virtual machine with one of the libraries named iCloud. I don't know and can't test what iCLoud syncs
 
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bogdanw said:
Open as many instances of Photos you like with as many libraries.
AppleScript that can be saved as an app (needs permission to send keystrokes):
AppleScript: 
tell application "System Events"
    key down option
    do shell script "open -n /System/Applications/Photos.app"
    delay 3
    key up option
end tell

Video
I don't use Photos or iCloud, this is a test in a virtual machine with one of the libraries named iCloud. I don't know and can't test what iCLoud syncs
View attachment 2626415
Click to expand...
Do you need a script to open Photos several times?
This might actually work.
Having 2 Photos open side by side with different libraries.
 
Hmmm, if you open a Photos library from commandline and use both -n and -a /System/Applications/Photos.app ?
Maybe the script is easier... Two of those scripts to Dock or to Finder's Sidebar...

If you have 2 Photos open and you change settings, will they change for both?
This might be a problem, if you switch one to use iCloud Photos...
 
toke lahti said:
Do you think this would work:
"I'd wish that Photos could have TWO (2) libraries SIMULTANEOUSLY: one in iCloud and the other local or somewhere else.
You could also enable even more simultaneos libraries.

It is quite stupid that you need to have ALL your content in iCloud or NOTHING."
Click to expand...
Not... really.

You CAN "have" two libraries simultaneously. You just can't OPEN them simultaneously. Try:
I suggest that the Photos app be modified such that it can open and display two libraries simultaneously - one synced to iCloud, the other just local. The local library photos are only stored on the computer and not synced to iCloud at all.
Click to expand...
 
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toke lahti said:
Hmmm, if you open a Photos library from commandline and use both -n and -a /System/Applications/Photos.app ?
Maybe the script is easier... Two of those scripts to Dock or to Finder's Sidebar...

If you have 2 Photos open and you change settings, will they change for both?
This might be a problem, if you switch one to use iCloud Photos...
Click to expand...
You don't need two scripts, one saved as an app and dragged into the Dock.
The settings are common for both instances.
Video
 
Last edited:
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bogdanw said:
You don't need two scripts, one saved as an app and dragged into the Dock.
The settings are common for both instances.
Video
View attachment 2626470
Click to expand...
I was thinking that if TWO libraries is enough, the script could just open the one without choosing.
Although it isn't a big deal to choose it every time.
The question here is, if you change Settings, does it affect both Photos?

Have you tried how long does it take to open a "new" library that has about 50k photos?
 
bogdanw said:
Open as many instances of Photos you like with as many libraries
Click to expand...
I don't think you can. If you open a second instance it opens the same library as the first instance. I don't know of a way to choose a different library for the second instance of Photos.

Or have I misunderstood your AppleScript?
 
toke lahti said:
I was thinking that if TWO libraries is enough, the script could just open the one without choosing.
Although it isn't a big deal to choose it every time.
The question here is, if you change Settings, does it affect both Photos?

Have you tried how long does it take to open a "new" library that has about 50k photos?
Click to expand...
You start Photos normally, it opens with the last library used.
You start Photos with the script/app, it allows you to choose a library.
They are different instances of the same app, not different apps. The settings are common.
Once created, a library of any size should open instantly.
gilby101 said:
I don't think you can. If you open a second instance it opens the same library as the first instance. I don't know of a way to choose a different library for the second instance of Photos.

Or have I misunderstood your AppleScript?
Click to expand...
Are the videos I posted not visible?
The script opens Photos with the Option key pressed, allowing the selection of another library.
It can be adapted for other apps as well, like Music.
 
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