How to locate an old and unused Photos Library file on MacHD?

[Taigum]

Hi all. I am trying to migrate from an old 27-in Mac to a new 24 inch, both running the most current OS version of Monterey, 12.5.

A few years back, I moved my Photo Library file to an external drive. I have confirmed in the Photos app that this it is pointing to the file correctly. I also have the photos being uploaded to iCloud as a secondary measure.

The issue: The new Mac has less storage (500GB) and when I used the Migration Assistant it flags that there is too much data on the old drive, Using the 'Find My Mac' storage feature, it is showing a Photos data of ~300GB. I am assuming that this is an old copy of the library file that was created when I made the shift to the external drive. The size is less than the external file that I had validated. The Pictures folder on the MacHD does not include the old file, only a few rogue jpegs.

My question: How can I locate this huge and hidden file on the MacHD? I have been unsuccessful trying to filter in Finder and feeling quite basic...

Thanks for all advice in advance

 

[pigoo3]

Give this a try:

1. Navigate to the "Go" menu when on the desktop.
2. Choose "Home" from the "Go" menu.
3. Double click on the "Pictures" Folder.
4. Right click on the "Photoslibrary.photoslibrary file.
5. Choose "Show Package Contents".

After you do this you should see a bunch of folders. Look thru them...and hopefully your photos are there.

Nick

 

[MacInWin]

Welcome to the forum.

I think Nick (@pigoo3) answered the wrong question. Not that what he said was wrong, but I think what you asked was, "Where is the old photos library stored? How do I find it?"

If I am correct in that, you can use either EasyFind or Find Any File (search for them) and search for any filename with "library" in it. Depending on how old this old file is, it could have been a library from iPhoto instead of Photos, but searching for "library" will find it. You can restrict the search to just your account area, or you can search the entire drive. You will get hundreds of hits for "library" because it's a common term, but that will be a shorter list to examine.

If you KNOW it's a Photos file, you can search for "photoslibrary" and get a lot fewer hits.

 

[Taigum]

Thank you both!

 

[pm-r]

Depending on how old this old file is, it could have been a library from iPhoto instead of Photos, but searching for "library" will find it. You can restrict the search to just your account area, or you can search the entire drive. You will get hundreds of hits for "library" because it's a common term, but that will be a shorter list to examine.

Probably too late here, but they could help narrow down the number of found library items when using Find Any File by adding a search term filter in the search window "is a folder".

Adding an additional filter for the size may help reduce the amount of found "library" items as well.


- Patrick
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[MacInWin]

Good idea, Patrick. Another is to let FAF or EF run, then sort by name and jump down to the right place.