Set Photos preferences

To set your Photos preferences, choose Photos > Preferences, then click the General or iCloud button at the top of the preferences window.

General preferences

In the General pane, you can set basic Photos preferences. For example, you can set whether photos are shown in a “summarized” view, select whether imported items are copied into your library, select whether GPS information is included with photos, and more.

Preference	Explanation
Library Location	To view the location of your Photos library in the Finder, click Show in Finder. To use the currently open library as your System Photo Library (which allows you to use it with iCloud Photo Library), click Use as System Photo Library. For information about how to switch libraries, see System Photo Library overview and Use multiple libraries in Photos.
Photos	To display your photos in a summarized view that shows only a selection of thumbnails for each year or collection, click the “Summarize photos” checkbox. To show thumbnails of all photos in a collection or year, deselect this checkbox.
Importing	By default, Photos is set to store all imported photo and video files in the Photos library. To leave imported items in their current location outside of the library, deselect the “Copy items to the Photos library” checkbox. If photos are stored outside the library, they will not be automatically uploaded to iCloud Photo Library and available on all your devices. You must manually back them up to safe storage locations.
Metadata	To have Photos use location information embedded in photos taken by a GPS-enabled camera (including iPhone), select the “Include location information for published items” checkbox.
Print Products Store	To ensure that print products you buy are priced and sent to the proper location, choose a country from the pop-up menu. For routine purchases, choose the country where your home is located. If you are in a different location away from home, choose the country where your print product will be printed and delivered from. (Note that when ordering in some countries, you may not be able to use a credit card with a billing address located outside that country. To see a list of countries that support out-of-country billing, see Ordering overview.)

iCloud preferences

Preference	Explanation
iCloud Photo Library	Select the checkbox to turn on iCloud Photo Library. Download Originals to this Mac: To store the original, full-resolution photos both on on your Mac and in iCloud, select this option. Optimize Mac Storage: To save space on your Mac by keeping full-resolution originals in iCloud Photo Library, and keeping smaller versions on the computer when needed, select this option. For more information about iCloud Photo Library, see Access your photos and videos everywhere with iCloud Photo Library.
My Photo Stream	Select this checkbox to turn on My Photo Stream. My Photo Stream automatically transfers new photos to all your other iOS devices and computers that have My Photo Stream turned on. My Photo Stream only stores photos taken in the last 30 days (up to 1000 photos); it doesn’t permanently store your photos. For more information about My Photo Stream, see Access recent photos from all your devices using My Photo Stream.
iCloud Photo Sharing	Select this checkbox to turn on iCloud Photo Sharing. With iCloud Photo Sharing, you can select photos and share them with friends and family; people can view the photos, make comments, and even add photos of their own. For more information about iCloud Photo Sharing, see Overview of iCloud Photo Sharing.

Preference

Explanation

iCloud Photo Library

Select the checkbox to turn on iCloud Photo Library.

Download Originals to this Mac: To store the original, full-resolution photos both on on your Mac and in iCloud, select this option.
Optimize Mac Storage: To save space on your Mac by keeping full-resolution originals in iCloud Photo Library, and keeping smaller versions on the computer when needed, select this option.

For more information about iCloud Photo Library, see Access your photos and videos everywhere with iCloud Photo Library.

My Photo Stream

Select this checkbox to turn on My Photo Stream. My Photo Stream automatically transfers new photos to all your other iOS devices and computers that have My Photo Stream turned on. My Photo Stream only stores photos taken in the last 30 days (up to 1000 photos); it doesn’t permanently store your photos. For more information about My Photo Stream, see Access recent photos from all your devices using My Photo Stream.

iCloud Photo Sharing

Select this checkbox to turn on iCloud Photo Sharing. With iCloud Photo Sharing, you can select photos and share them with friends and family; people can view the photos, make comments, and even add photos of their own. For more information about iCloud Photo Sharing, see Overview of iCloud Photo Sharing.