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If you are running out of storage on your Mac, one of the easiest solutions is to move some of your photos to an external hard drive. This will not only free up space on your Mac but also ensure that your precious photos are stored safely.
Here are the steps to move photos from Mac to an external hard drive:
1. Connect the external hard drive to your Mac.
2. Open the Finder application on your Mac.
3. Locate the photos you want to move. You can find them in the Photos app, iPhoto, or any other photo app you use.
4. Select the photos you want to move. You can select multiple photos by holding down the Command key and clicking on each photo.
5. Right-click on the selected photos and choose "Export."
6. In the Export window, choose the external hard drive as the destination for the photos. You can create a new folder on the external hard drive to store the photos.
7. Click on the "Export" button, and the photos will be transferred to the external hard drive.
Once the transfer is complete, you can safely eject the external hard drive by dragging its icon to the Trash. Remember to always keep a backup of your photos, and with these simple steps, you can easily move them to an external hard drive.
How do I transfer Photos from Mac to external hard drive?
Why can’t I move Photos from Mac to external hard drive?
There could be several reasons why you’re unable to move photos from your Mac to an external hard drive. Here are some possible causes and solutions:
1. File system format: If your external hard drive is formatted in a file system that is not compatible with macOS, such as NTFS, you won’t be able to write files to it. You can either reformat the external hard drive to a macOS compatible format like APFS or HFS+ or install third-party software that allows macOS to write to NTFS formatted drives.
2. Insufficient permissions: The user account you’re using to move the photos may not have the necessary permissions to write files to the external hard drive. Try logging in as an administrator or granting your current account with read and write permissions on the external drive.
3. Corrupt external hard drive: If your external hard drive is damaged or has bad sectors, it may not be able to save new files. You can diagnose the health of the drive using Disk Utility or third-party disk repair software and see if it can be fixed.
4. Photos still being used: If you’re attempting to move photos that are currently open or in use by another application, you won’t be able to move them until they’re closed properly.
5. Lack of space: If the external hard drive is full, you won’t be able to move any new files to it. Check the amount of free space on the external drive and delete any unnecessary files to make space.
How do I transfer Photos from my computer to an external hard drive?
Transferring photos from your computer to an external hard drive is a simple process that can be done in just a few easy steps. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Connect your external hard drive to your computer using a USB cable or a Thunderbolt cable depending on the type of the hard drive.
2. Open the file explorer on your computer. Locate the photos that you want to transfer to the external hard drive.
3. Select the photos that you want to move to the hard drive by clicking and holding the left button of your mouse and dragging over them to highlight them.
4. Once you have selected all of the photos that you want to copy to your external hard drive release the mouse button.
5. Right-click on one of the highlighted files and select "Copy" or you can press "Ctrl"+"C" keys on your keyboard.
6. Navigate to the external hard drive folder and right-click on an empty space within it. Then select "Paste" or press "Ctrl"+"V" keys.
7. Wait for the files to copy to your external hard drive. Depending on the size of the files being copied, this may take a few minutes or longer.
8. Once the transfer is complete, safely eject the external hard drive from your computer by right-clicking the hard drive icon and selecting "Eject".
That’s it, your photos are now safely stored on your external hard drive, giving you the peace of mind knowing that your precious memories are backed up and stored securely.
How do I export my entire Apple photo library?
Exporting your entire Apple photo library can be easily done by following these simple steps:
1. Open the Photos app on your Mac
2. Select "File" from the menu bar on top of your screen
3. Choose "Export" from the dropdown menu
4. Select the option "Export Unmodified Original" to ensure you export the highest quality photos available
5. Choose the location where you want to export your photos to and click "Export"
This process will export your entire photo library, including all your albums, metadata, and file names. You can also choose to export specific albums or photos by selecting them before clicking "Export." Keep in mind, depending on the size of your library, the export process may take some time.
Can I transfer Photos from iPhone directly to external hard drive on Mac?
Yes, it is possible to transfer photos from an iPhone directly to an external hard drive on a Mac. There are several ways to do this, but the most common method is to use the macOS Photos app. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a Lightning cable.
2. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
3. Select your iPhone from the list of devices in the sidebar.
4. Select the photos you want to transfer to your external hard drive.
5. Click on the "File" menu and choose "Export" -> "Export [number] Photos".
6. Choose the location on your external hard drive where you want to save the photos.
7. Click "Export" to start the transfer.
Alternatively, you can use third-party applications such as Image Capture or iMazing to transfer photos from iPhone to an external hard drive. These apps offer more flexibility and customization options, but may require an additional purchase or subscription fee.
How to backup iPhone Photos directly to external hard drive on Mac?
As an iPhone user, we tend to accumulate a lot of pictures over time, and managing them can be a hassle. One way to manage your pictures is to back them up directly to an external hard drive on your Mac. Here is how you can do it:
1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a cable.
2. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
3. Select the pictures you want to back up by clicking on them while holding the "Command" key.
4. Click on "File" in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
5. Select "Export" from the drop-down menu.
6. Choose the location where you want to save your pictures on your external hard drive. Select the hard drive from the list of locations.
7. Click on "Export" to begin the backup process.
8. Once the backup is complete, you can safely disconnect your iPhone from your Mac.
Backing up your iPhone photos directly to an external hard drive using your Mac is a great way to keep your pictures safe and easily accessible while saving space on your iPhone. It also ensures that you have a backup in the event that your iPhone is lost or damaged.
Why can’t I use my external hard drive on my Mac?
There could be various reasons for an external hard drive not being compatible with your Mac. One possible issue could be the formatting of the external hard drive. If the external hard drive is formatted in a file system that is not compatible with macOS, then it will not be detected by your Mac. In this case, you need to format the external hard drive to a file system that is compatible with macOS.
Another reason could be a faulty cable or a damaged connector. Ensure that the cable and connectors are in good condition and not frayed or damaged in any way. Additionally, you can try connecting the external hard drive to another USB port or using a different cable to see if it solves the problem.
Lastly, the issue could be with the device driver, which allows the Mac to communicate with the external hard drive. In this case, updating the device driver or reinstalling it could solve the problem. Alternatively, you can contact the manufacturer of the external hard drive or the Mac to seek technical support.
Why won’t my Mac Recognise my external hard drive?
If your Mac is not recognizing your external hard drive, there could be several reasons for it. Some of the common reasons are:
1. Faulty cable: The cable connecting your external hard drive to your Mac may be faulty or damaged. Try using a different cable to see if it resolves the issue.
2. Outdated software: Ensure that your Mac’s operating system is updated to the latest version as outdated software may not support your external hard drive.
3. Formatting issues: Your external hard drive may not be formatted correctly for use with your Mac. Ensure that it is formatted in a file system that is compatible with Mac, such as HFS+ or APFS.
4. Power issues: Some external hard drives require external power to function properly. Ensure that your external hard drive is receiving adequate power supply.
5. Hardware failure: There may be a hardware issue with your external hard drive. Try connecting it to a different computer to confirm that it is working correctly.
If none of these solutions work, then it may be time to seek professional help or consider replacing the external hard drive.