Step 1: Connect Your External Storage Device
To begin, connect your external hard drive or storage device to your computer. Make sure it is properly connected and recognized by your operating system. This can typically be done by plugging in the USB cable or connecting it through another appropriate port.
Step 2: Navigate to Your Pictures Folder
Next, you’ll need to locate your iPhoto library files on your computer. By default, the iPhoto library is stored in the Pictures folder on a Mac. To access it, open a new Finder window and navigate to your user folder. Then, find the “Pictures” folder and open it.
Step 3: Drag Photos Library to the External Drive
Once you have located the iPhoto library file, which has a “.photoslibrary” extension, simply click and drag it to your external hard drive. This will initiate the copying process, transferring the entire library to the external drive. Depending on the size of your library and the speed of your computer, this may take some time.
Step 4: Open Your Copy of Photos Library
After the copying process is complete, you can safely eject your external hard drive from your computer. Disconnect it and then reconnect it to another computer, if desired. On the new computer, open the external hard drive and locate the copied iPhoto library file.
Step 5: Set Your Photo Library Preferences
To use the copied iPhoto library on a different computer, you’ll need to set it as the default library in the Photos app. Open the Photos app, go to the “Preferences” menu, and select the “General” tab. Click on the “Use as System Photo Library” button and confirm your selection.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully copy your entire iPhoto library to an external hard drive. It’s always a good idea to have a backup of your photos, especially when dealing with large collections or if you’re transitioning to a new computer.