---
id: mac-storage-basics.can-i-have-more-than-one-photos-library
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-have-more-than-one-photos-library
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Photos, music and video"
question: "Can I split my photos into more than one Photos library to save space?"
alt_questions:
  - "second photos library mac"
  - "archive old photos separate library"
  - "create new photos library"
  - "split photos library external drive"
  - "multiple photo libraries storage"
short_answer: "Yes — hold Option while opening Photos and choose Create New. Only one library is open at a time and only the System Photo Library syncs with iCloud."
tags: ["photos", "library", "archive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-system-photo-library", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-is-the-photos-library-stored-on-a-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can I split my photos into more than one Photos library to save space?

Yes. Hold **Option** while opening Photos and click **Create New** to make another library — for example an archive library kept on an external drive. You can only have one library open at a time, and only the System Photo Library syncs with iCloud Photos.

A common approach is to keep recent photos in the main library and export or import older years into an archive library on an external drive. Always keep a backup of each library, because an archive on a single drive is only one copy.