Using iPhoto library on external HD

**queeeries** · November 10th, 2009, 10:38 AM

I have copied my 26GB library over to my external HD and it appears to be there. But when I open it, it seems to be linked back to the iPhoto library on my internal HD. (I deleted the internal iPhoto and it disappeared - or said 'no items' - when I opened it on my external HD)

What I am trying to do is create more space on my internal HD - so I want to delete the 25GB there in iPHoto. But can I then use iPhoto on the external drive - and if so, how can I verify the contents are there? I know I can go to 'show package contents' option, but I don't know what to do once there or how that info tells me whether my pix are there or not.

Any suggestions very welcome.

Thanks

**djackmac** · November 10th, 2009, 12:39 PM

Its actually pretty simple. You just need to point iPhoto to the new location.

**queeeries** · November 10th, 2009, 04:25 PM

Are you saying that it's then OK to delete my iPhoto on my internal drive? That it will be saved on the external? This is what I did last time and although it showed the GBs I couldn't get any photos to appear.

By 'pointing to' do you mean clicking on Option when I open iPhoto and then choosing the Library on my external drive? This is what I did but it didn't seem to work. Thanks

**djackmac** · November 10th, 2009, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by queeeries

Are you saying that it's then OK to delete my iPhoto on my internal drive? That it will be saved on the external? This is what I did last time and although it showed the GBs I couldn't get any photos to appear.

By 'pointing to' do you mean clicking on Option when I open iPhoto and then choosing the Library on my external drive? This is what I did but it didn't seem to work. Thanks

So is it showing no photos or is it still looking to the internal HD?

**larrypearl** · November 10th, 2009, 10:35 PM

Have thousands of iPhotos on external drive. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1229?locale=en_US

Holding option key when starting iPhoto lets you select new location...

**Vancelot** · November 10th, 2009, 10:44 PM

I have just been through the "I wanna put my hi-gig stuff on external hard drive" too and
thought that I had lost it all! The Genius Bar says hit yer i-Photo icon and option key. window asks u to "choose file" . If yer hard is hooked up it should open. It works fer me.