To get your photos out of an old iPhoto library, you typically use the Apple Photos application, which replaced and manages iPhoto libraries on newer macOS versions. The process involves exporting your selected photos from the library.
Here's a straightforward way to do it:
Exporting Photos Using Apple Photos
The most common method involves using the export function within the Apple Photos application. This allows you to save copies of your photos to a location outside of the Photos library itself.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to export your pictures:
- Open Apple Photos: Launch the Apple Photos application on your Mac. This is the application that now manages libraries previously handled by iPhoto.
- Highlight the photos you need: Navigate through your library and select the specific photos you want to export.
- To select a range of photos, click the first one, hold down the Shift key, and click the last one.
- To select multiple individual photos, hold down the Command key while clicking each photo.
- As referenced from missfreddy.com, you can use Control+A (or Command+A on a Mac) to select all photos in the current view (e.g., an album or your entire library).
- Go to File/Export: Once your photos are selected, go to the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click on File, then hover over Export, and choose an export option (e.g., "Export [Number] Photos" or "Export [Number] Photos Unmodified Original"). Choosing "Unmodified Original" is often best if you want the highest quality files without any edits applied.
- Designate where you want the exports to save: A window will pop up asking you where you want to save the exported files.
- Choose a location like a folder on your desktop for easy access.
- Alternatively, select an external hard drive if you're backing up your library or moving it to another device.
Export Options Overview
When you choose to export, Apple Photos offers various options. Here's a quick look:
| Export Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Export Photos... | Exports edited versions; allows choosing format, quality, etc. | Sharing, web use, or saving edited versions. |
| Export Unmodified Originals... | Exports the original files exactly as they were imported. | Backup, migration, or professional editing. |
Using the "Export Unmodified Originals" option is typically the most reliable way to ensure you get the full, original quality of your photos out of the library.
Once the export process is complete, you will find copies of your selected photos in the destination folder you specified.
