Best way to backup my iCloud Photo Library to disk

[thewhitehart]

I store all my pictures in my iCloud Photo Library. I have all my devices set to ‘Optimize Storage’, and I’m reluctant to change this because of iOS 13.1 and macOS Catalina problems with displaying photo locations. Plus, I don’t want to download the whole library again and have it curated.

What’s the best way to back up all of my original full-res iCloud photos to a hard drive, besides using Time Machine? Thanks.

 

[techwarrior]

The entire library is stored in ~/Pictures in a file called Photos Library.photoslibrary. That is, unless you have moved it or don't have it setup to import photos into this archive (it imports everything into this by default).

If you have to restore, put the file on the new drive or Mac, and select it first launch of the photos app. Or, hold Command while you click the app icon, choose the file and it will use that library and compare it to iCloud and sync whatever is different between the two.

 

[swandy]

I store all my pictures in my iCloud Photo Library. I have all my devices set to ‘Optimize Storage’, and I’m reluctant to change this because of iOS 13.1 and macOS Catalina problems with displaying photo locations. Plus, I don’t want to download the whole library again and have it curated.

What’s the best way to back up all of my original full-res iCloud photos to a hard drive, besides using Time Machine? Thanks.

I have the Photos library for my iMac on an external drive but it works the same way. But you have to have Photos set to download all originals to that computer. Then all you have to do is backup that Library file to have a backup of the photos library. I use a program called Carbon Copy Cloner to make a clone of the Photos library on another external drive.

 

[applepi_loganm]

I suppose I'm looking for the same solution as OP. My MacBook has a 256GB SSD, so I would prefer to keep my library off of local SSD to save space. I have a Time Capsule 2TB that I have my older libraries on, along with other files. Ideally, I suppose I would like my local Library to export to a folder location on the TC (preferably automatically) so that (A) local library does not get too large; and (B) I don't end up with dozens of libraries on the TC (which would be a nightmare to keep straight). Also, opening up the library on the TC takes forever due to the non-hardwire connection....... ANY SUGGESTIONS?? Thanks!