How to Use Smart Albums - Apple Photos for Mac

Do the Photos on your Mac need organizing? Learn how to use Smart Albums to quickly organize your photos and convert them into real albums.
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WHAT ARE SMART ALBUMS?
Smart Albums are basically a visual way of searching through your photos. Using different "recipes" you can quickly extract photos from a smart album and turn it into a real album.
The first thing you need to do BEFORE you start creating smart albums is to create a folder (not necessary, but strongly recommended) so that every resulting album (not smart) that we will create, has a place where it can be saved.
HANDY HOT KEY: Highlight a group of photos that you want to turn into an album and press Command + N
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[@philipbloss5370]

Hi, David, I would like to send you a very hardy "THANK YOU" for supplying these very informative and educational videos. Not to mention free. Up until about 3 years or so, I was a sworn PC user until Microsoft released Windows 8, which I absolutely hated. I then switched my computer to a Macbook. Needless to say, I was completely lost! Your video tutorials which stumbled across were a lifeline. I can't thank you enough for your time and energy you put into each video. Keep them coming. Phil.

[@LandonVongogh]

Wow... I realize the publish date of this video is 5years ago, but the wealth of information and the delivery by the presenter, is grade AAAA! Thank you!

[@deborahrabesanroman5017]

David: I have been procrastinating the dive into organizing the thousands of photos on my MAC, but after finding your videos, I feel inspired to make this task a priority during this social distancing period. Thank you.

[@mdurmer]

Thanks, I've completed 2019 (so far) and 2018. Working now on 2017 and I just love this method. I never knew how to organize before. Will call you one of these days to schedule a private lesson. Thanks for your videos.

[@brucesmith5612]

Your work is fantastic: useful, clearly communicated, inspirational. Between your videos and help from AppleCare, my leap from ancient technology preparing for new equipment purchase is finally starting to come into focus. Looking forward to day when I can sign up for a private class. Thanks!

[@mikemondzak]

As a mac owner/user since the mid 1980's, you keep teaching me new things about my mac and how to use the software. Thanks

[@Aljobritt]

David, I am 4 yrs late watching this video but I am so excited to use this info!!! Thank you

[@tfp6382]

Thank you so much. This is exactly what I was looking for. I have several hundred photos that I’m trying to process into folders so if I can find things when I need it. I will definitely be watching more of your videos. Thank you.

[@robertmasiello9530]

first time student, great video!

[@johang8789]

David..you are very knowledgeable and organize person.....i like the way you explain things....your eyes and voice very attractive..🌝

[@gloriamesser2857]

Thank you David, I always wanted to know how to organize my photos and also the difference between a Smart Folder ad a Folder. You have opened up a whole new world for me. Now I can uncluttered my photo files and also apply this to my other files. Thank you again.

[@inspiredmontessori3608]

A silver lining from being in bed with a fractured ankle is organizing my gamut of mac files and photos. Thank you for such great content and graphic transition.

[@CharlesCarlsonC3]

A nice set of handy hints. I particularly like the creating the smart album that contains all the un-albumen photos. That’s very useful.

[@mohdbasheer77]

It was so handy.. i enjoy watching your classes..keep up the great work .. god bless you ..

[@davidsmith8376]

Great video. I have struggled so much with Photos especially when i moved from iPhotos, I lost most of my photos. I have managed to find most of them lurking on my Mac but it has taken ages. I now need to organised them so thank you for this informative video.

[@eddyboszor5271]

Excellent info. I have really been struggling with the change from Windows to Mac. 30,000 + photos so this will really help.

[@robertbrumbaugh4634]

GREAT tutorial! I have thousands of pictures and never knew how to organize them. I didn't understand the different types of albums either. The books aren't too detailed but are expensive and thick, and out of date often.

[@DjSkipAlexander]

super informative, thanks this really helps.

[@DiegoMendezMessias]

This was very useful and well done. The information, the video, the speaking 👌🏼 You really helpme man! Thanks

[@Lukas-kh5gu]

nice and to the point tutorial. thanks! 10-minute-videos are usually best!

[@AffinityJack]

Thank you David!These photo-tutorials are very helpful for me.And they are all very good explained.Ciao Jack

[@steveurquhart5895]

Fantastic it really helped me Thanks

[@wafawafallc192]

very well done thank you!!

[@wendypowell7866]

Another brilliant tutorial - thank you!!!

[@AlisonTarrayo]

Great help! Thanks!

[@thomasantonelli3311]

Would love a tutorial on storing photos on different devices. Like how can I off load pictures on my phone or iPad to free up space on the device without losing the photo.

[@latsots]

try using syncthing its free and has host of features how to sync different files (not just photos) between devices

[@COACHDOME]

Love it . Thanks.

[@debiduenkel8638]

Hi David, I know this is a 4 year old video but, you are so clear and understand so much about Mac. I can't find anywhere how to change the order in Slideshows. There are KZbin videos that show easily how it works for them but it does not for me. I have macOS Monterey version 12.6.3. Did Apple stop letting us change the order of our photos in Slideshows?

[@freddyrojasgarcia1317]

great video and very instructive! It helped me. Keep it up David!

[@DermotDay]

Very good tutorial. Huge time saver. Thanks

[@yoda6027]

thank u David!!

[@gerlonggaul]

This is very useful. U got my thumb

[@micktaylor3277]

Good video!

[@WatersTube08]

I really enjoy this class! I was hoping though, you'd also teach us how to safely transfer all photos to a storage device 😬

[@wpny2003]

Great video

[@jonpetersdronemedia4142]

Fantastic tutorial as always David. Really got a lot from it. Halloween video great too!!! Many thanks from across the pond...

[@michelefiscaletti7725]

Hy I am Italian Congratulation for your Super clear very very good videos thk you

[@geofff2357]

More great & really useful tips - Thanks David

[@kristinetudor9316]

how do i transfer photo albums created on my ipad to my mac book pro?? Spent a-lot of time editing and creating albums and cannot find info on how to transfer just the edited albums. is this possible? Thank You

[@janaehackworth3693]

Can you air drop them?

[@eliseuramim9883]

Always a great tutorial! But rarely David answer back questions… All my photos are organized chronological, but I don’t have them yet in my new MacBook. Is there any recommendation?

[@NChic]

Is there a way to transfer full albums (made one iphone) into iphotos - Mac? I spend so much time organizing the photos on by phone as I am always on the go, but have to do it all over again once I transfer them on the computer. THANKS

[@MrMgd33]

Great tips and very useful to show the power of this software! Thanks.

[@karenvaughn7058]

SO helpful!!! Thank you!

[@darleneshipe7120]

Great video David! Thank you!

[@Gidgetandmoondoggy]

Fabulous tutorial as usual david than you. Oh and I enjoyed your video 👻

[@kaylenemower1788]

great information I've been needing. can't wait to use it

[@Bulldog44s]

Thanks a lot David, this video really helps a lot. Now I just have to go do it!

[@JoyceMoyes56]

Really getting a lot of information from these very helpful videos. I have decided to go back to basics and have basically deleted the majority of my albums to start again.... all 90,000 photos! Very scary thing to do but you are right, the photos are still there. Phew. I have one smart album which I would like to delete but I think you said it would delete the photos in it. How do I get rid of this Smart album to begin at the very beginning organising my photos. Thank you.

[@arlenlpz]

Do you have a tip on organising photos during trips that go through December and January? I would like to have them in one album. I'm just starting with your method and liking it a lot! Thanks!

[@ginasteliana5676]

Can you have smart albums alongside regular albums? As a performer I create photoshoot albums to help identify photographers for credits, however I also want smart albums to separate individual acts and themes.

[@abeatlsfan]

Amazing & very helpful. Thank-you David.

[@arturo7392]

WOWW!!!! AWESOME!!! Thanks!!

[@MelMediaServices]

great information. How can I then off load these images to an external HD...thus, freeing up space on my Main Drive?

[@jaymcconnell3840]

Thank you. Very helpful!

[@geekmeee]

I have moved to Catalina (2020)... Which of your Apple Photo tutorials do you recommend so the screen and menu items match?

[@mpnewhart8022]

David , thanks again for a great video. Long time subscriber . I have a issue smart album worked great for pictures . When I create one for videos and then command n to create album they remain in the smart album after the creation. Any idea what I am doing wrong?

[@akshayjagtap5721]

Is there any process to separate all unreferenced photos automatically in a smart album or to delete them directly? Thanks in advance.

[@smith28c]

Hi David, I enjoy watching all your classes and like to thank you very much, I wonder if you could tell me how to recover or restore my photos that I have in "Smart Albums" as would like to delete the Smart Albums and create new albums, Regards...Don

[@bonnieschwenke2256]

I have the same question...one video I watched says if you delete a smart album you delete all the photos in it. This is not mentioned in David's smart album videos so wonder if that feature has been changed in Catalina? Did you ever get an answer?

[@smith28c]

@@bonnieschwenke2256 Hi Bonnie, I never got a reply but I think you would loose your photo's, so I still have them in my smart album, maybe a phone call to Apple support would you give you the answer, let me if you a reply. Cheers, Don

[@zorangrujic657]

Great stuff!

[@abart2056]

Hi David, you have great tutorials and I learn so much from them. Recently I noticed that the years on my photos are off by 2 years and was wondering if that can be fixed or if it's a glitch in my iphone. I hope you can help but if not that's ok I'm sure I'm not the first one with this problem. Time to do some research. :-)

[@cherryannrivera6176]

Great video! Also enjoyed the Halloween one - some really awesome costumes. Can u do a video about tips on how to organize photos shared with you in a shared album? I’ve been trying to sort through all my travel photos taken by myself and fellow travelers but shared albums aren’t arranged chronologically and can be dizzying to organize. Aloha!

[@Wooden-things]

What happens when you download new photos? do they automatically go to that smart album?

[@katepdm6660]

Help! I have selected automatic upload to icloud. However, i see none of my photos there. Still when I check storage I see that a lot of space is being used and I dont know where the photos are i even bought extra space because it warned me that im running low on storage. Im confused.

[@GarrEFeLix]

Do you import your photos from cameras directly into you Photos App Or do you download pictures into folders first on your Mac and then import them into Photos App?

[@justsendit8506]

Possible useful tip: Create a Smart Album which allows you to view every image that you've ever added to the Photos Library, while also displaying their titles and/or IMG_ numbers beneath them. I find this useful for locating, sorting and adding titles to older images where I've forgotten to do so in the past. ⚙️ Create a 'New Smart Album' ... (I named mine 'All Photos') Match the following condition: [ Date Added ] [ Is after ] [ 1/1/1826 ]

[@rep3e4]

Awesome, thanks a lot

[@germangujju9775]

Is there a way I can move photos and videos to the smart album as they are now visible in main album as well as smart album

[@ponzone99]

Is there a class or video for making photo books? I would like to make photo book of my daughter growing up for my wife’s birthday.

[@R0LLM0P]

great video great way of sortin your photo, only problem is I can only see these smart albums on my iMAC, they don't appear on my ipad or iphone. is there anything I need to enable?

[@DirectorWD40]

I now just figured it out that I only need to save the HEIC versions of my photos, instead of the JPG ones. So now I need to delete the JPG version of each and every photo I have taken with my iphone. Is there a way to accomplish this without having to purchase a third party option, like PowerPhotos?

[@rparikh6]

Hi David. I love your post and have started with organizing my photos. David i have a mac book and a mac. Somehow my photos and music on both the devices are not the same even though they are under the same apple ID. Can you help me please.

[@roxannecanepa9670]

I am loving how simple you are making it to keep me organized! Thanks David!

[@jasminepena2243]

This is helpful! Question...I am working on clearing all the albums and redoing the organization...If I delete an album - 1) will the photos still be available for me to reorganize by date? 2) Should I be deleting from Library->Photos in order to "delete" from the source? (have multiple duplicates) 3) How do I prevent future duplicate uploads?

[@littleeddie133]

I followed these instructions EXACTLY and when I moved my photos from the smart album and into the new albums the amount of pictures in the smart album did not go down. I have 199 pictures in the smart album, I have since created thee albums one with one picture one with 9 and one with 3. My total photos in the smart album should have went down by 13 but they did not all of the photos are still in the smart album.

[@moggiescloset1193]

I’m having trouble ~ I am creating a smart album for a particular year and when I add the additional criteria about not being in any other albums the number if files is reduced drastically. Before I started this I deleted all my other albums. I can’t figure out why this is happening. Your handy dandy file system won’t work for me if I can’t resolve this issue. Can you help me please. Thanks moggie

[@tomcromatico]

hi i have few questions about smart album and something like that, i'm on High Sierra and my iphone 7 with iOs 13.7 and i don't want to use iCloud, so i imported all my pictures on Photos (3.0) and then i created the smart albums and the normal albums as well, but when i plug my iphone on my laptop and go to iTunes/iPhone7/Photos i see on the right side Sync Photos i tik this one and below just show me All Photos Album and selected Album, i tick the last one and in the screen show me just Albums: Favorites - Videos - Live Photos (only this 3 standard folders), why don't appear all my albums previously create in Photos? So i would like to sync my favorites pictures/albums from Photos to iPhone and i want to also delete all the already imported pictures from my iphone.

[@rhondam38]

Once I create a smart album and put pictures in it, can I no longer move, not copy but move those photos to another albumn?

[@miketodd8640]

Great video, as always! A question, is there a way to find duplicate pictures?

[@jamesdalgleish9389]

Love your videos. Does anyone know the best way to export my Google photos to apple photos?

[@jahidhassan2334]

thank you sir

[@roadrckt]

Aloha David, I totally enjoy your tutorial classes, you really do a great job. I'm a drone pilot (Spark) and I really like using iMovie for my editing (will move up to Final Cut after I can master iMovie) what do you suggest a good iMac version should include to support good editing of videos? I'm using 4k Rentina, 3.1 GHzIntel Core i5, 8 GB 1867 MHz with a Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 1536 MB. My iMac seems to be slow in rendering when I'm editing and not sure if my computer is best suited for editing my videos as it could be. Mahalo!

[@satyakaamkatznelson8915]

Do you have a series on iPadOS?

Thank you so much! Can you advise how to order your albums in 'Shared Photos'? It seems to me, that there are no options???

[@paulmatrka5312]

Hey David, is there a way to use the location where a photo was taken to make a smart album?

[@richardpetros2550]

great video. i have started using Google Photos. Do you have a preference Apple Photos or google photos? Thanks

[@mariocarnival]

What about including a photo in more than one album? Every photo will use additional space in the drive? Also in the SMART Album?

[@darrowfortheprosecution1404]

Great tutorial but I have ONE question; if I place a photo (or photos) into a Smart Album does that photo (or photos) disappear from the original file. My wife likes to make her own style of photo filing (beats the hell out of me about her methods) and gets highly agitated if a photo is moved and does not follow her rules of filing.

[@mhouslay7281]

Hi Thanks so much for such a brilliant video. I found it super helpful and it’s transformed the way that I store and access my photos. Just brilliant. BUT, I’ve come across a strange 'glitch'. This relates to pictures that I import from WhatsApp, either automatically or manually. These have the correct date in the timeline when I look at my entire photo collection. However, the smart albums that I have set up exactly as you suggest for each year fail to recognise them. This is despite the imported photos appearing to have the correct date information associated with them in the EXIF data as I can see this using the Inspector panel on preview, and the Photos app is clearly recognising this and sorting them correctly. So it’s just the Smart Album feature that is failing to do this. I wonder if you had any idea what might be happening as it is super frustrating.??? Thanks so much 👍😀

So, I have my smart albums set up within a yearly range like in the video, but recently I added some pics and videos from my snap memories into my camera roll, but they don't register as pics or videos in the algorithm. Why is this?

[@RobBall-gp8dc]

David, I accidentally deleted smart albums. is there any way to restore the photos to my library?

[@davidmaddox6829]

David, Thank you for your great tips on organizing photos. I have a lot of albums and due to a number of Mac updates I have a number of albums called "iPhoto Events" with more albums under it. My questions are if i erase the iPhoto Events which I have 3 are all the photos still OK?

[@theoapbiker8398]

Is it possible to add months into the year album? The reason I ask is that all my 14,500 photos are at the moment in years & months in One Drive as I have just switched from Windows PC to the Apple Mac so really need to have all my photos in iCloud as I have finished with Microsoft. Hope you can advice & many thanks in advance. Rob Taylor - Dewsbury- UK

[@janeterry5838]

At 8:00 mark, you mention “processing photos” in order to view across devices. How does one “process” photos?

[@donboone3950]

Great tutorial on a topic I'm very interested in learning more, however I have Microsoft hardware & software. By chance, do you offer similar expertise in this venue?

[@darrylchewDC]

I recently did a macOS update to version 11.5, and is it me, or does my screensaver that pulls from a photo album now only pulls the original version of the photo - not the edited version as it was doing before? Needless to say, there are some Photos that I’ve edited for a reason, and have enjoyed them on my screensaver. I do not want the original scrolling through. Is there a way to force a screensaver to only pull the edited version only, not the original unedited version? How do I get the opposite of “revert to original.” This problem started very recently with no other actions than a routine update. There are 30,000 photos in the album.

[@jillreimers9663]

Great tutorial but I cannot seem to add the sub smart folder into the 2018 folder...?

[@lmadsen7118]

Do smart albums save in iCloud, so If I reinstall I don't have to make them all over again? :) (I have a lot)

[@jasdua3775]

I understand you can or’ganise the photos but how would you recommend they are brought into photos. Currently I have the in a folder on mac under year and month

[@tylerblaikie744]

So we got this far and something buggered up, now when we set the album to 'is not' it shows nothing, like there's already an album with all the photos in it. Any ideas?

[@JudoDogMD]

I notice that too. I am trying to do the same thing. When set to “is not” no photos show up. Wonder what the solution is.

[@GearReviewDepot]

How do you get the dark screen/desktop? I can't find that option in my 2018 MacBook Pro. Is it available for all Apple laptops?

[@realvivifromloona]

1. Click the Apple icon on the upper left corner, then About this Mac and make sure you have MacOS Mojave. 2. If you do, then go to System Preferences, General and the setting should be in there.