iCloud Photos allows syncing between iOS and Mac devices using the same Apple ID. However, there are times when you need to transfer and sync photos between devices with different Apple IDs. For example, if your old Mac or iPhone is linked to an old Apple ID, but your new Mac or iPhone uses a new Apple ID, how can you efficiently transfer a large number of photos and videos?
More importantly, is there a way to transfer them while preserving all original photos and maintaining the photo library album structure? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of safely and smoothly transferring photos from one Apple ID to another on a Mac.
Challenges in Transferring Photos Between Apple IDs
1. Handling RAW Photos and Referenced Files – Some photos in the old library may be RAW files and referenced files stored in the Photos library, which cannot be uploaded to iCloud Photos.
2. Downloading Original Photos and Videos – Ensuring that all original media files are downloaded from iCloud before transferring.
3. Maintaining Photo Library Structure and Metadata – Importing photos into the new library without losing metadata such as titles, shooting dates, GPS data, and more.
Step 1: Check for Referenced Files
To verify whether your original photos and videos are stored outside the Photos library:
1. Open the Photos app. Go to Photos -> Settings -> General.
2. If the option “Copy items to the Photos library” is unchecked, it means some photos are stored outside the library and will need to be manually moved.
Step 2: Check and Download iCloud Photos
1. Open the Photos app. Navigate to Photos -> Settings -> iCloud.
2. Ensure that iCloud Photos is enabled. If “Optimize Mac Storage” is selected, change it to “Download Originals to this Mac” to ensure all full-resolution photos are available locally.
If your Mac does not have enough storage to download all iCloud Photos, you can:
• Visit www.icloud.com to manually download original photos.
• Use a third-party tool like Photo Exifer to download iCloud Photos to a custom location, including an external hard drive.
Step 3: Transfer Photos from One Apple ID to Another Using Photo Exifer
Photo Exifer is a photo metadata editor that offers features to help transfer photos between Apple IDs. It allows you to merge two photo libraries while preserving the album structure and metadata. Additionally, it can export all photos and videos while retaining metadata such as titles, shooting dates, and GPS data.
How to Transfer and Merge Photo Library Using Photo Exifer
1. Download and install Photo Exifer on your Mac.
2. Copy the old photo library to an external hard drive or directly to your new Mac if there’s enough storage space.
3. Open Photo Exifer, then go to the File menu and select "Merge Photo Libraries…", Add both the old photo library and the new photo library, and select the new photo library as the destination photo library.
4. Select the options "Do not copy duplicates while merging", "Keep photo albums while merging" and "Keep Edited photo metadata tags".
5. Click "Start Merge Photo Library" to begin the process, Photo Exifer will automatically read and transfer photo data, including albums and metadata, from the old library to the new one. Once completed, all photos and videos will be available in the new Apple ID’s photo library with their original structure and metadata intact.
Conclusion
Transferring photos between Apple IDs can be challenging, but using the right approach ensures a seamless transition. By downloading original iCloud Photos, checking for referenced files, and using Photo Exifer to merge photo libraries, you can move your entire photo collection to a new Apple ID without losing any albums or metadata.
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