---
id: mac-storage-basics.where-is-the-photos-library-stored-on-a-mac
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/where-is-the-photos-library-stored-on-a-mac
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Photos, music and video"
question: "Where is my Photos library stored on my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "photos library location mac"
  - "find photos library file"
  - "where are my photos saved on macbook"
  - "photos library.photoslibrary location"
  - "how big is my photos library"
short_answer: "By default it's the Photos Library package in your Pictures folder. Check its size with Command-I, and never edit its contents by hand."
tags: ["photos", "library", "pictures"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-empty-recently-deleted-in-photos", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-the-system-photo-library"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Where is my Photos library stored on my Mac?

By default it's a single package called **Photos Library** in your **Pictures** folder. To see its size, select it in Finder and press **Command-I**.

It looks like one file but contains your originals, edits, thumbnails and the database that ties them together. Don't open it and move or delete things inside by hand — that can damage the library. Use Photos itself to delete, export or move it as a whole.

If you have several libraries, hold **Option** while opening Photos to see and choose between them.