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How to Choose the System Photo Library on Mac
To change the System Photo Library on a Mac, open your preferred library, go to Photos > Settings > General, and click Use as System Photo Library.
To choose the System Photo Library on your Mac, you must first select a specific photo collection by holding the Option key while opening the app, and then configure that collection as the default from within the application settings Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support.
Opening a Specific Photo Library
If the Photos app is currently running on your Mac, you must first close it by choosing Photos > Quit Photos Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support. Next, press and hold the Option key and click the Photos icon located in either the Applications folder or the Dock Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support.
This action opens the Choose Library dialog, where you can click your preferred library and then click Choose Library Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support. If the collection you want to use does not appear in this dialog, click Other Library, navigate to the correct location on your Mac, select the library, and click Choose Library Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support.
Designating the System Photo Library
Navigate to the Photos app on your Mac, choose Photos > Settings, and click the General tab Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support. Click Use as System Photo Library to designate the currently open library as your system default Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support.
If the Use as System Photo Library button is grayed out, the current collection is already configured as your System Photo Library Designate a System Photo Library in Photos - Apple Support.
Re-enabling iCloud and Understanding Merge Risks
Switching to a different library causes the Photos app to automatically turn off Shared Albums and iCloud Photos Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support. You can turn these syncing features back on from the iCloud pane found within the Photos settings Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support.
It is important to consider your choice carefully before changing the default collection Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support. Enabling iCloud Photos after setting a new System Photo Library causes any photos stored in iCloud to merge with the images in the newly designated library Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support. Once the content from your new System Photo Library finishes uploading to iCloud, these libraries cannot be unmerged Create additional photo libraries in Photos on Mac - Apple Support.
