OS X Photos App and iCloud

[Rolanddes]

Dear friends,

Can anyone tell me whether do I need to backup my Mac's Photos app library if I already have iCloud enabled and have enough storage for my photos in iCloud.

If I setup new Mac with my current iCloud account will I see all my photos there?

Thanks..

 

[CoastalOR]

You are technically correct. If you connect the new Mac to the same iCloud account ID and enable in System Preferences>iCloud>Photos>Options>iCloud Photo Library then your iCloud photos will be synced from iCloud to your Mac Photos Library.

The "need" to backup the Mac's Photos app library will depend on your backup philosophy and comfort. I prefer to have 2 backups. If iCloud quits service suddenly (system failure or for business reasons) then you are only left with the Photo library on your Mac and if you find that there is a problem with that then you are left with nothing. To be honest I backup my Photos library and the raw pictures separate from the Photos library.

 

[Rolanddes]

You are technically correct. If you connect the new Mac to the same iCloud account ID and enable in System Preferences>iCloud>Photos>Options>iCloud Photo Library then your iCloud photos will be synced from iCloud to your Mac Photos Library.

The "need" to backup the Mac's Photos app library will depend on your backup philosophy and comfort. I prefer to have 2 backups. If iCloud quits service suddenly (system failure or for business reasons) then you are only left with the Photo library on your Mac and if you find that there is a problem with that then you are left with nothing. To be honest I backup my Photos library and the raw pictures separate from the Photos library.

That's an overall and great answer. Thanks a lot!