Navigate to the new library you’ve placed on your external drive. Instead of springboarding into your photos, like the program normally does, the option key launches a dialog box, asking for you to select a library. Holding down the Option key, click on iPhoto to open the program. Step 5: Point iPhoto to the external iPhoto Library Then, once it’s done copying, drag the desktop iPhoto Library to the trash (but don’t empty the trash, yet). It may take more than 15 minutes to copy this library to its new home, depending on how large your library is, and what kind of external hard drive you’re using. (Moving means the original file would be deleted from the desktop, and you don’t want that, yet.) That symbol indicates that the package is being copied to your external drive, not just being moved there. A green “plus” badge should appear on the iPhoto Library when it’s hovering over the external drive. Once it’s been moved to the desktop, hold down the Option key and again drag the iPhoto Library, only this time onto your external drive. So, I recommend first dragging the iPhoto Library from the Pictures folder onto the desktop.

But it’s a little panic-inducing the first time you transfer it over, because this plan is essentially the equivalent of packing a moving truck full of priceless family heirlooms and hoping it makes it to your new address, somewhere out there in the dark. Moving this library is not something that Apple recommends, but I’ve had mine located on an external drive for two years without incident.

This particular package contains not just every photo you’ve loaded into iPhoto, but your albums and any projects you’ve made with the program. The iPhoto Library is what Mac OS calls a “package.” Essentially, it’s a folder you can’t (easily) open, and it has a unique icon, not a folder image. If not, the Apple Genius Bar is a lovely place to spend a few hours. When you get back, the app should be working just fine, and if so, quit the program. In fact, go for a walk, and try not to take any more photos while you’re out. But have patience and let iPhoto do its thing - and don’t force quit the program, since everything should keep moving. Really - you have no choice in this matter, and the app might seem like it’s frozen. While iPhoto slowly grinds its gears to ensure your library is working with the newest version of the software, sit back and enjoy your memories as they zip across on the screen. Make sure your library is working fine (or as well as can be expected, considering all the foodstagram shots you’ve got jammed in there). If there are updates available for iPhoto, download and install them, and then open the app.

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