How to set up and sync an external drive for automatic photo backups on macOS

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to set up and sync an external drive for automatic photo backups on macOS. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Managing a large photo library can quickly consume your Mac's internal SSD storage, leading to performance issues. By moving your System Photo Library to an external hard drive and configuring automatic backups, you ensure your memories are preserved without compromising your computer's speed. This guide will walk you through the process of relocating your library and ensuring it stays synchronised.

Prerequisites

• An external hard drive or SSD with a capacity larger than your current photo library.
• The drive should be formatted as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for optimal performance with macOS.
• A stable connection between your Mac and the external drive.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the External Drive

1. Connect your external drive to your Mac.
2. Open Disk Utility using Command + Space and typing "Disk Utility.
3. Select your external drive from the sidebar and click Erase.
4. Choose APFS (recommended for SSDs) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) (for HDDs) as the format.
5. Click Erase to format the drive.

Step 2: Move the Photo Library

1. Close the Photos app completely.
2. Open Finder and navigate to your /Users/[YourUsername]/Pictures folder.
3. Locate the file named Photos Library.photoslibrary.
4. Drag and drop this file from your internal folder to your external hard drive.
5. Wait for the copy process to complete. Depending on the size of your library, this may take several hours.

Step 3: Set the New Library as the System Photo Library

1. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click the Photos app icon to launch it.
2. A window will appear asking you to choose a library. Click Other Library....
3. Navigate to your external drive, select the Photos Library.photoslibrary you just moved, and click Choose.
4. Once Photos opens, go to the top menu and select Photos > Settings (or Preferences on older macOS versions).
5. In the General tab, click the button labelled Use as System Photo Library. If it is greyed out, it is already set as the primary library.

Step 4: Configure Automatic Backups

Moving the library to an external drive protects your internal space, but it does not provide a backup. To ensure your photos are automatically backed up, we recommend using Time Machine.

1. Connect a second external backup drive (separate from the one holding your photos).
2. Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Time Machine.
3. Click Add Backup Disk and select your backup drive.
4. Click Options... and ensure that your photo library drive is not in the "Exclude" list.
5. Time Machine will now automatically back up your photo library whenever both drives are connected.

Troubleshooting

Photos app cannot find the library

This usually happens if the external drive is not mounted or has changed its mount point. Ensure the drive is plugged in and visible in Finder before launching the Photos app.

"Library is not compatible" error

This typically occurs if the external drive is formatted as ExFAT. You must reformat the drive to APFS or Mac OS Extended as described in the Prerequisites section. Be aware that formatting erases all data on that drive.

Slow performance when browsing photos

• Ensure you are using a high-speed connection (USB-C or Thunderbolt 3/4).
• Avoid using USB hubs for your primary photo library; connect the drive directly to the Mac.
• Check that your drive is not nearly full, as SSDs slow down significantly when capacity exceeds 90%.

If you encounter any errors during the migration or need assistance with drive formatting, please Open a Ticket.

Still Having Issues?