From iPhoto to Photos App: A Guide to Import iPhoto Library

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Apple pulled down the curtains on the fight over the limitations with iPhoto in OS X, with the launch of Photos app as an update. This Photos app allows you to handle your photos in all new way! With improvements in features and functionality, editing and sharing photos have never been so fun.
Though it is similar to iOS 8 in terms of functionality, but Apple made sure that iPhone users feel comfortable with the new app and make a transition from iPhoto & Aperture to Photos app smooth and easy.
It's certain that a lot of questions lingering in your mind regarding this app right now. In this article, We’ll try to answer some of the reader’s questions and also a guide on how to import iPhoto to Photos for OS X.

So, What Is This Photos App Anyway?

Photos for Mac is designed to make your ever-growing photo library organized and accessible. One can access their entire collection from iOS devices, Mac and even Windows Computer anytime and anywhere. If you shoot a selfie, slow-motion video or snapshot on your iPhone, it is added automatically to iCloud Photo Library as well. And will appear on your Mac, all iOS devices, your PC and on iCloud.com too. Since its organized similar manner in all your Apple devices, it won’t be difficult to navigate your library. Not just that, any editing you do on your Mac, the changes are reflected on your iPad, iPhone and iCloud.com and Vice Versa.

How to Import iPhoto to Photos for OS X?

If you have upgraded your OS to OS X Yosemite 10.10.3 or later version, your iPhoto will be automatically updated to Photos for Mac a default function. Your whole library including photos, videos, albums, projects and much more will automatically be seen when you open it the first time after the upgrade.

How to Import More Than One Library?

If you have more than one Aperture or iPhoto libraries, the Photos app will ask you to choose one library to import when you open first time after launching the app. This is because Photos for OS X is compatible with only one primary photo library per Machine. This means that you cannot combine all your Aperture and iPhoto libraries into one library. Follow the steps to import one library manually.

To Import One Photo Library from Multiple Libraries Manually

  1. Exit Photos
  2. Open Photos while press and hold the Option key
  3. Click on the library you want to import and then click on Choose Library

If the library you wish to import is not listed, click on Other Library and navigate to the desired library and click on Open. The one you select will be synced with iCloud.

What About Aperture and iPhoto After Upgrading?

You can still use your iPhoto and Aperture libraries by upgrading them to separate Photos library. After upgrading to Photos app, when you open Aperture or iPhoto library for the first time, it will ask if you wish to open your library in Photos or there itself.

It’s Not Over Yet. There’s A Catch

Well, syncing your Photos to iCloud Photos library makes your photos, videos accessible on all iOS devices, Mac and PC anywhere and anytime, there is a drawback too. This convenience comes at a cost. It is guaranteed that you have pay for an iCloud storage plan. You’ll get only 5GB storage free, which will quickly surpass the limit even with smallest of libraries. For 2GB storage, you have pay 99 cents and goes up to $19.99 for 1TB a month!

Chances of Losing Your Entire iPhoto or Aperture Libraries While Upgrading

There is every chance that you may lose your treasured photos and videos while upgrading to Photos app. It’s a very simple and common thing to take a back of files and folders before any up-gradation, yet many users just ignore that part or don’t remember to do so. In a case of data loss due to upgrade, using a media recovery software for Mac is the best and only solution. The software has the capacity to recover missing, deleted or lost photos and videos. And what more? The software restores the recovered photos and videos in their original format.

About the Author: John Harris

With a decade of experience in data recovery, John Harris, Senior Editor at Remo Software, is your go-to specialist. His focus includes partition management, Windows solutions, and data troubleshooting, delivering insightful content that serves both users and search engines. John's expertise shines through in illuminating blog posts, untangling data loss intricacies across diverse storage platforms.…