Need help with proper transfer process of Photos to External HD

[PastorJay73]

New here, but need to move my photos to an external hard drive. Did not want to begin the process until asking some experts and getting proper instructions. Currently running macOS Mojave 10.14.4 on a 2014 Macbook Pro. Thank you!

 

[satcomer]

Your best bet would get an external that connects to your quickest port on your Mac. If you want to unload photos and iTunes Library read the Apple Support Document Back up and restore you iTunes Library.

 

[PastorJay73]

Okay. I have a WD elements EHD and need to free up space on my computer. Have not done it through iTunes but will read the link. Is there any other way to simply transfer the photos to the ED?

 

[NoBoMac]

The iTunes instructions are good... if moving iTunes (which might be a good idea if big library).

Using Apple's Photos program to manage your pictures? If so, it's simple.

• Format the external drive as MacOS Journaled.
• Use Finder to copy your Pictures folder to the external drive
• Hold the Option key while invoking Photos
• Select the external photo library in the form/box that appears
• Verify things look good
• Once looks good, can delete the items that are .photoslibrary and .migratedphotoslibrary under Pictures on your Mac.

And as always, might want to make a backup/TimeMachine backup before doing this.

 

[Fishrrman]

1. Get an external drive
2. Download either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper (both are free to download and use for 30 days)
3. Connect the external drive, format it to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled
4. Use either CCC or SSD to create a clone of your internal drive on the external drive.
5. Now EVERYTHING is "there" -- an exact copy of your internal drive which you can boot from if necessary.