How do I merge iPhoto Libraries which use different versions of iPhoto?

I have three Mac computers and would like to merge the 3 iPhoto Libraries and put them in one library on an external hard drive, so that all 3 computers can access the library if possible, although it is a priority for my newest MacBook to access all the photos, including the older photos on my older Macs. Doing it in such way that I preserve metadata and edits would be deirable too--all my photos are jpegs. Right now my iMac is runnning OS 10.6.8 with iPhoto 7.1.5, my older MacBook is also running OS 10.6.8 with iPhoto 7.1.5 and my newest MacBook runs OS 10.7.5 with iPhoto 9.4.3. Is it possible to merge these 3 libraries without upgrading operating systems and iPhoto versions on the older computers? I have read that the best way to merge libraries is to use the paid version of iPhoto Library Manager which I'd like to use, but its latest version requires a newer version of iPhoto than the one on the older computers and I don't see a download for an older version of iPLM that might possibly do what I want. Any suggestions?

I am still curious if it would be a good second option to export the photos out of the older libraries into the newest one. I know this would convert them as you have said and also lose metadata and edits in the process, which is preferale to me over upgrading the older computers.
More simple.
Copy those libraries to the new machine.
Open them with the newer iPhoto - that will upgrade their libraries. (And leave the originals untouched on the other machines)
Merge them into the third library. Less work, less dataloss.
Regards
TD

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How do I put my photos from a hard drive to my mac using different versions of Iphoto? It is saying I can't because of the updated version.

Hello,
I am trying to move photos from my hard drive to my mac. Mac is using an updated version of Iphoto and is denying the transfer.
How do I get around this? Do I download the order version? or can I not get my photos? If anyone can help please do.
You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto.
Thanks Carol

I copied my photos onto my hard drive from my mac about 3 months ago. I just plugged my hard drive in to put my pictures back onto my mac but it is giving me a message when trying to open up the photos from the hard drive that states
Like I said we need to know exactly what you did
THere are lots of totally different ways to "copy your photos" onto a hard drive
Exactly how did you do that? The correct way to move an iPhoot library is to verify that the hard drive is formattted Mac OS extended (journaled) and then to drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity to it - reverse to bring it back - just drag it from the EHD to the pictures folder (default location) on your computer
Why are you doing this?
you can try Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library database - depending on what has been going on this might resolve things
LN

HT204655 how do i merge 4 albums together, using the new photo app?

I am using Yosemite, and update my iPhoto. Using Photos, how do I merge 4 albums together?

To merge the libraries manually use "File > Export".
To save the high quality originals, set the export panel like this, with "Kind Original":
If you have edited versions with added titles, caption, places, etc, use these export settings to save your work:

How do I merge itunes libraries?

How do I merge itunes libraries from two separate accounts?

Why are you posting a second thread with the same question. This one isn't any clearer than your first post.
What do you mean "merge itunes libraries from two separate accounts"? You have an iPod listed. Are you talking about getting music from two separate iTunes libraries on two separate computers? Are you talking about getting iTunes purchased music on a single iPod from two separate Apple/iTunes IDs?
What is it that you are wanting to do? If you do not take the time to explain what it is you are wanting to accomplish, then you are not going to get the information you need to do it. We are not mind readers.
Cheers,
GB

We just got married. How can we merge accounts/libraries?

We just got married, and each have a LARGE library of m4p's. How can we merge accounts/libraries into one family account?

To merge iTunes libraries, import the content and playlists from one to the other.
iTunes Store accounts can't be merged.
(107368)

How can I merge iTune libraries?

I have a MacBook Pro and a Mac Pro tower. Each has iTunes 10. Each computer has its own iTunes music library. There is about 70 % overlap of music. How can I merge the libraries so they are the same on each computer? Many thanks for any help.
Russ

RussKendall wrote:
How can I merge the libraries
take a look @ these 3rd party apps:
PowerTunes
TuneRanger
SuperSync
JGG

All of a sudden, I'm getting an error that says I can't open my current iPhoto library using this version of iPhoto. Then it tells me to use the latest version. But I don't know how and I don't know when it changed....

I cannot open iPhoto. The error reads: "You can't open your current iPhoto library using this version of iPhoto.
You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version."
But, I don't ever recall doing that, and I need to access my iPhoto. Anyone help?

Option 1
Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to Rebuild iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one. .
Regards
TD

Use Latest Version of iPhoto Message?

I am trying to open an iPhoto library stored on a hard drive and get the message "You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto." I am using iPhoto '09 Version 8.0.2 (402) which I believe is the latest version. How do I get into this library?
Thanks.

If that doesn't work try Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords, faces and places back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
Regards
TD

Can't open current photo library using this version of iPhoto 7.1.5

I have recently had to perform a disk repair due to the disk image not mounting. In this process I completed a full backup of my home folder and verify/repair/format of my harddrive. At this time I also added 4G RAM bringing the MacBook up to 5G RAM.
Since the reinstallation of 10.7.5 (Which took about 18hrs) I have none of the iLife package. I have reinstalled from the original disk that I recieved on initial purchase back in 2008. After installation I ran the software update and have updated everything (iTunes, iPhoto etc) I have been able to import all data from my backup via a simple drag & drop. I am now unable to open my iPhoto library (file size 105.43G). I have searched many forums and have been unable to find a solution that is suitable (rebuild library) because as soon as I launch this option it brings up the following message:
You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto.
After this I must quit the application. What am I missing? I'm sure it is something quite simple... I'm hoping it is as easy as it was to find the recoveryHD during the reformat of the disk.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, Cheers.

It sounds like a damaged library. Try the 2 fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select the last three options.
Fix #2
Rebuild the library using iPhoto Library Manager as follows:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 -Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
2 -Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your User/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
3 - Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File->Rebuild Library menu option
4 - In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
5 - Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be untouched for further attempts at fixing or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.

Yet AGAIN! "You can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto"

I have read every thread on this topic I could find in these forums, and tried most solutions, and I still can't get iPhoto to work.
Equipment: MacBook Pro June 2010, OS 10.6.8. Bought a Macbook Air February 2012, OS 10.7.2
Not sure why, but I can't open iPhoto. Here's what I have tried.
Original message on MBPro: "You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto".
1. Tried to rebuild library as per this thread https://discussions.apple.com/message/8429269#8429269. I get the list of checkboxes, but when I hit "okay" I get the same "you can't open your current photo library ..." message again.
2. Ran software update - no sign that iPhoto is out of date.
3. Copied new version of iPhoto from brand new MBAir to MBPro, replacing older version . Got same "you can't open your current photo library ..." message again.
4. Tried to rebuild library using new version of iPhoto - guess what - same message.
5. Downloaded free trial version of iPhoto Library Manager as suggested in the thread referenced above. The dmg loads to my desktop just fine but nothing happens when I click on it -- this has never happened before. Perhaps it is looking for iPhoto, which of course I can't get to work.
So I have been unable to access my old iPhoto library with (sob) thousands and thousands of family photos in it. I run TimeMachine on to an external hard drive every hour so I hope that if my iPhoto library is corrupted, there is a safe copy on that external drive ...
Between this hassle -- hours of time wasted -- and recent debacle of upgrading iTunes which erased my library and all of my playlists, which also took hours and hours to restore ... my 25 year devotion to Apple products is taking a major hit. I'm getting very weary of heart-pounding fear every time a new software upgrade arrives ... but that's a topic for another time. ;-)
Thank you very much indeed for all suggestions.

I'm going to start from scratch as the link you references is very, very old.
Try this: launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and try to create a new, test library and import some photos. If you are able to then the problem lies with your current library. If you get the same message then maybe the iPhoto application is the problem.
Try the following again: make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of your library and apply the three fixes in order as necessary.
Fix #1
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your HD/User/Home()/ Library/Preferences folder.
2 - delete iPhoto's cache file, Cache.db, that is located in your HD/User/Home()/Library /Caches/com.apple.iPhoto folder.
3 - launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: If you're moved your library from its default location in your Home/Pictures folder you will have to point iPhoto to its new location when you next open iPhoto by holding down the Option key when launching iPhoto. You'll also have to reset the iPhoto's various preferences.
Fix #2
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Select the options identified in the screenshot.
Fix #3
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
In the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
Click on the Create button.
Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
If all of these fail there's one more option:
Start over from scratch with new library
Start over with a new library and import the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from your original library as follows:
1. Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
2. Open the library package like this.
Click to view full size
3. Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
4. Drag the each subfolder in the Originals folder (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the entire Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
Click to view full size
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.
OT

You can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto.

I tried to open iphoto this morning and recieved this message: "iphoto damaged or incomplete." There was also a white circle with a slash through the icon in both dock and applications folder. Recently I had loaded idvd from ilife since it was not included on my MBP. I reinstalled iphoto using the disc and then the following began to occur.
I received this message when I tried to launch iPhoto after reinstalling. Yesterday it was working fine. "You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto." It gave me the option of quitting but nothing else.
I followed directions on another thread to rebuild using the database by holding down command+option while launching iphoto. None of my folders came back and all the photo boxes are empty, although there are dates.
I do have a backup on an external but am not sure how I would restore using that (I've never had to in the past).
This is iphoto 11 - version 9.1. I am unsure how to check what version was installed when I purchased this MBP (Nov. 2012). I am also runnign OSX 10.8.3
Is there anyway to remove the update and recent install and revert to what I had yesterday? Or even two days ago?
Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to have to re-create my folders.
Thanks in advance!

When you installed iDVD, you must accidentally also have reinstalled and downgraded iPhoto.
This is iphoto 11 - version 9.1. I am unsure how to check what version was installed when I purchased this MBP (Nov. 2012). I am also runnign OSX 10.8.3
You have two options, either delete your current iPhoto version and reinstall iPhoto from the AppStore, or go to the -menu and run Software update to upgrade your current iPhoto version to iPhoto 9.4.3, the current version.
To reinstall: See this document http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718
Scroll down to the paragraph: Restoring iLife applications after Internet Restore of OS X Lion or OS X Mountain Lion
It explains how to reinstall the bundled iLife applications, that came preinstalled, from the AppStore.
Regards
Léonie

After installing ilife '11 when i opened iPhoto its display a message"You can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto, what can i do sir??

i buy apple mac book on 12.04.2012, mac osx 10.7.2, 500gb hdd,4gb ram, i installed ilife '11 in it, after installing ilife '11 when i opened iPhoto its display a message"You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto,You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Do you want to quit and use the latest version of iPhoto, or do you want to create a new photo library? but option coming only quit, when i check for software update it shows ur software is up to date, waht can i do sir, how can i use my iphoto???

Make sure you are updated to the latest version - 9.2.1
LN

Seeing multiple iPhoto libraries when I click on the iPhoto icon in the dock?

I can't figure out why I am seeing multiple iPhoto libraries when I click on the iPhoto icon in my dock. I am running Lion on an early 2008 MacBook Pro (4 GB RAM), and when I click and hold on the iPhoto icon in the dock, it brings up a dialog box. From top to bottom, this is what I see:
iPhoto Library
iPhoto LIbrary
iPhoto Library
Options
Show Recents
Open
I can't figure out why it shows three iPhoto libraries when I only have one on my computer. I've tried deleting the icon from the dock and then putting it back in the dock, but it still shows three libraries for some reason. If I search for iPhoto in spotlight search or in finder, it only shows one iPhoto (in the applications folder). Any help on how to resolve this weird issue would be much appreciated!

I have the same issue. I see four iPhoto libraries when I right click on the iPhoto icon in the dock, but I only actually have two libraries. The other two simply do not exist on my computer. And when I click on the libraries that do not exist, obviously nothing happens. In the image, only the bottom two libraries are actual photo libraries. The top two do not exist.
I have relaunched Finder, restarted the computer, and even restored the entire computer from my Time Machine backup. Nothing changes. No matter what I try, the non existent iPhoto libraries continue to be present when I right click the iPhoto icon in the dock. BTW, there are only two iPhoto libraries in the pictures folder.
This is very frustrating and annoying.

I did a restore on my Imac and now it says You can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto.So when I go to apps icon they want to charge me 14.99 for new Iphoto

I did a restore on my Imac and now it says You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto.So when I go to apps icon they want to charge me 14.99 for new Iphoto

It would help if you would answer questions and give information rather then constantlhy complaining
You do not need to purchase anything - but to help you you do have to supply the requested information
Have you installed iPhoto from the DVD that came with the computer or from the App Store?
The answer to this is critical to helping you -- please answer
WE probably also need to know exactly how you "restored" your Mac and why youneeded to restore it
LN

Error-can't view photos in photo library using this version of iphoto .

Hi, I recently bought a macbook air and wanted to transfer pictures to it from my old mac (macbook 10.4.11). I viewed the pictures through file sharing, but was unable to finish saving most of the pictures that day.
When I try and view my iphoto photos now from/and on the macbook or the macbook air, it tells me I am unable to view the photos (you can't open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo libray using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto.) I can't download the latest version of iphoto on that computer because it's 10.4.11. When I try to view the photos on the macbook air through file sharing (like I had done previously and it worked) it gives me the same message as above and I have the most recent version of iPhoto on the macbook Air. Anyone able to help me out?? I am unable to view any of my photos, is there any other way of opening photos other then through iphoto?? Thanks, Bo

If you opened an older iPhoto library with a newer version of iPhoto you received a warning that the library would be converted and that this can not be undone so you will have to either:
1 - Load your backup from before the conversion;
2 - upgrade to iPhoto '09 on the old system (which will require an OS upgrade too); or
3 - create a new library on the old system and reimport the photos form the originals folder on the library that you mistakenly upgraded
LN

How do I merge iPhoto Libraries which use different versions of iPhoto?

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