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pmonnerat
User level: Level 1 (51 points)

Unable to move Photos Library to iCloud on MacBook Air

Hello folks, I am recovering a 2015 MacBook Air, running Monterrey, 12.7.6, and after zeroing it, I am reinstalling applications and using native ones, like Photos.

The computer has an original Photos file (System file), Photos Library.photoslibrary but as I have another important Photos from other machine, I copied it  into the recovered MacBook Air and named it Photos Library1.photoslibrary. and Photos opened it perfectly.

This 2nd Photos file, was saved in the MacBook Air occupying the SSD’s 80 GB, so I tried to import it and merge to the original Photos file, using instructions from Apple, but it didn’t work and I received an incomplete  message saying : “You need to migrate Photo Library selec…” 

Ok I updated the Photos Library1 and tried again to import but once more failure.

All I want to do is to allow Photos Library! To be saved in iCloud and save the 80 GB on the SSD. Could anyone help?

Posted on Oct 23, 2026 9:05 AM

3 replies

Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7 (25,466 points)

Oct 25, 2026 8:34 AM in response to pmonnerat

I can't tell -- there are two Macs operating two different OSs, each with a Photos Library-- is that right? I think that I'm getting confused by which Library and computer you are referring to. You don't mention the OS or model of the other computer. Are these Libraries being used on the internal drives of the computers?


A Photos app can only use a Photos Library that's of the same version. If an older Library is opened with a newer Photos app, then the Library is "upgraded," changing it so that it can no longer be opened on an older version of Photos. Is this some of what's happening?


iCloud Photos is a mirror of the Photos Library on a device-- the Library isn't stored at iCloud instead of on the machine. Optimize Storage can save maybe 80% of the space, though.


What is your storage on each of these Macs? At System Settings>General> Storage, my Mac says 745 GB of 1TBB used. What does yours say?


This might help:

Understanding iCloud Photos - Apple Community


and this:

Basic Concepts and Terms About Photos - Apple Community



pmonnerat Author
User level: Level 1 (51 points)

Oct 27, 2026 7:50 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thanks Richard

Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7 (25,466 points)

Oct 27, 2026 10:36 AM in response to pmonnerat

You're welcome-- I hope it helps.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256381631