back up photo library
How do I download my iCloud photo library directly to seagate hard drive
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13
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First, you need to make sure your external drive is properly set up:
It must be formatted APFS or MacOS extended (journaled) (preferred for spinning drives)
It Must not be (or have been) used for time machine.
It must have the 'ignore ownership" checkbox ticked.
I assume it is not an SSD. You will probably need to reformat it using disk utility to MacOS extended (journaled), and then check you can set the ignore ownership check box in the drive information pane. (first screenshot)
Once you have done that:
- Create a folder on the newly formatted drive to hold your library
- launch photos while holding down the option key. Select "create new" to create a new empty library in the folder, and open the new library. (second screenshot)
- Go to photos>preferences general tab and click the use as system photo library button (third screenshot)
- Then go to the preferences icloud tab and set up as shown in the fourth screenshot.