Can't view collections if user doesn't have access to Library that contains collection

[josephbren 3]

Perhaps this is how it is supposed to work, but I was wondering if I should be able to see a Collection that is located within a Library that the user doesn't have access to. I'd like the user to be able to view a subset of the content of the library, just not the whole library. Do I have to use sym links?

[Abobader 3464]

Hello josephbren,

** This is an auto reply **

Please wait for someone from staff support or our members to reply to you.

It's recommended to provide more info, as it explain in this thread:

Thank you.

Emby Team

[sa2000 674]

14 hours ago, josephbren said:

I'd like the user to be able to view a subset of the content of the library, just not the whole library.

There is folder level access permissions option so library can be structured in such a way where permissions would be at folder level

See Folder Based Access Control support article

 

[Luke 42077]

21 hours ago, josephbren said:

Perhaps this is how it is supposed to work, but I was wondering if I should be able to see a Collection that is located within a Library that the user doesn't have access to. I'd like the user to be able to view a subset of the content of the library, just not the whole library. Do I have to use sym links?

Hi, no, you can't use collections to override library access.

[josephbren 3]

Thanks. Unfortunately it is not working.

I have a Library pointing to D:\Photos\Mobile
I have a specific folder I want everyone to be able to access under D:\Photos\Mobile\\All\2019\08\Trip

The separate library appears (is visible) under the other users, and a valid thumbnail is showing for it, but nothing is in it.

In case it matters, I have it categorized as Home videos & photos

 

[Luke 42077]

Can you please show us screenshots of both emby library setup as well as what you did under user permissions?

[josephbren 3]

did I miss something?

[Luke 42077]

What other libraries have you created, and what folder paths are added to each one?

[josephbren 3]

The Road Trip 2019 folder is a sub folder of Joe. There is no access permission to Joe but there is for the Road Trip folder

[GrimReaper 4739]

You've already restricted access to whole \Joe folder - that includes \Joe\...\Road trip.

As a sidenote, overlapping/nested folder paths were never officially supported (though it'd mostly work as long as folders are at lest same level and libraries are of the same type). 

You'll need to rethink and restructure/reorganize your folder structure/library paths.

As an example, one thing you could do is instead of having \Joe root folder as a library path, add all subfolders separately as library paths and adjust access permissions accordingly or create another folder (\All) at the same level as \Joe, \Texxx and \Haxxx, move into it all the folders you want to give access to and add that folder as a path in addition to each library or simply copy those folders you want to give access to somewhere outside of \Joe folder and add that (those) folder(s) as library path(s) for other users. 

Edited November 26, 2025 by GrimReaper

[josephbren 3]

I'd like to keep it like this on disk. I think symbolic links will work. Thank you for clarifying.

[Luke 42077]

5 hours ago, josephbren said:

The Road Trip 2019 folder is a sub folder of Joe. There is no access permission to Joe but there is for the Road Trip folder

Are these all of the libraries, or are there more?

[josephbren 3]

There are only 2 others for other peoples photos and videos in a separate base folder

[sa2000 674]

Overlapping folders in photos libraries do not work. I already have an issue open with the development team on this

You have a photo library for "Joe" and you have another one overlapping it for "California Road Trip 2019"

[josephbren 3]

Thank you, good to know. I ended up folding and making a duplicate of the folder in a shared location. Kind of annoying but not the end of the world.