IPhoto Library photos deleted!

A couple of days ago I opened iPhoto and all my photos were deleted! But I checked my pictures folder and my iPhoto library still has all of the photos and when i try to import the photos in each roll its says unable to import because this file is already in your iPhoto library. Can some one please help me, I have a lot of important photos in my library! Thanks you.

I'm glad you were able to re-create your library. Here's an explanation of what happened to you, which is a bit different from the person who posted this topic. (iPhoto 4 is very different from version 6.)
You got an error message saying something like "you can't open your iPhoto library with this version - quit and upgrade to iPhoto 4 or later." Was it something like that? And when you clicked "OK" or whatever choice you were given, your library was corrupt. That update message is a very misleading error message; I've seen it reported by iPhoto 4 users many times. Sometimes people get that error when they try to launch iPhoto while they have a CD or DVD in their Mac's optical drive. In that case, ejecting the disc is the solution. Other times, when iPhoto is launched and detects a problem with its database file, this message is generated. It means that your library was already corrupt, and there was little you could have done to prevent the damage you saw.
Either way, when you clicked to close that error you did not receive any update to iPhoto 4. The highest version available is 4.0.3. There is no download that will update this further; to upgrade to v5, v6, or v7 requires you to purchase an install disc.
If you should encounter this error in the future, there are 2 things you should do. First, eject any disc in your optical drive. Second, hold down Shift and Option as you launch iPhoto. When you get a box asking you to confirm a rebuild, click 'Yes,' then Rebuild. If the damage is minimal, iPhoto will be able to correct it and you won't lose your albums and metadata. If the rebuild fails, your database is too corrupt and you must recreate the entire library. For more info on the rebuild procedure, read this Apple article.
Regards.

Similar Messages

From some reason (i'm not sure why..) my whole iphoto library got deleted. I restored the whole library from my backup. The photos are blank but steel have the photo info. (date, res., size etc.) Do you know what's the prob.? why can't i see my pics.

from some reason (i'm not sure why..) my whole iphoto library got deleted. I restored the whole library from my backup. Now all the photos are blank but steel have the photo info. (date, res., size etc.) Do you know what's the prob.? why can't i see my pics.

It's says that file does not exist. How come? And why does it still show the image info.?
Where can i find those files (i have a daily backup)
The original image files are missing form your iPhoto library or iPhoto cannot find them, because the link to the originals has been broken. The image info is stored in the internal libraries, independent of the original files. That is, why you are still seeing them.
I restored the whole library from my backup.
Try restoring from an older backup, from before you first noticed the problem.
How large is the library, that you restored? Is the file size large enough to hold all your photos, or has the size been reduced? If the library is still large, the photos may still be inside, even if iPhoto cannot find them.
It's says that file does not exist. How come?
What happened, before your iPhoto library got deleted? Which applications have you been running, or which new software have installed or upgraded? Have you moved the library to a different disk or tried to use it from different user account or access it over the network?

How do I import ( copy) iPhotos from External Drive that contains the iPhoto library photos.

My old hard drive was failing and with the help of an Apple Consultant, I made a new library ( on external hard drive) and copied all the photo files off the iMac's internal drive to the external drive. Then the iphoto library was deleted from the hard drive and the internal hard drive was replaced.
Photo Storage is the name of the external drive as it is designated for photos only. Lightroom recognises the drive but does not see any of the photos. It says no photos available? Is there something I am missing.

Import is just a word for copying photos from the phone to a computer and not that different than what I do in Windows -- although I haven't compared the speed on a large number of photos. If you are importing and using iPhoto, you might try doing it with Image Capture which will allow you to copy them directly to an external drive. It may be faster than doing it to iPhoto but I haven't compared the speed. Instructions from http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4083 are shown below.
Connect the iOS device to the computer.
If Image Capture does not open automatically, you can navigate to your Applications folder and open Image Capture from there.
Choose the location to which you'd like to import pictures.
Click Options.
Click the Options tab if it isn't already selected.
Enable the option "Delete items from camera after downloading".
Note: Deleting photos after importing helps to reduce Camera Roll size, and it improves backup and restore times. You may choose Keep Photos if you wish to import the photos to additional computers.
Click OK.
Click Download All.

Iphoto library is deleted

I dont know how it happened but i guess my iphoto library has deleted itself and now I have just the pictures left I also had in different folders. Now about 95% of my pictures (40GB) are away and I cant find them anywhere on my mac
Do i have a chance to get the other pictures back or are they away for ever
thanks for helping me

1 - the iPhoto library does not "delete itself" - either you (or someone using your computer) deleted it if it is gone
2 - if you have a hardware or software crash while using iPhoto your library may be damages and not display in iPhoto
Do i have a chance to get the other pictures back or are they away for ever
Not possible to tell unless we know more - usually there is some possible way but to make a suggestion it is necessary to know more - it could be as simple as repointing iPhoto to the library and as complicated as using disk recovery software to find the photos
LN

My iPhoto Library was deleted from my computer, not enough space for a time machine back up?

My entire iPhoto Library is gone, inaccessible, doesn't show up in finder. I tried to restore my last Time Machine back up but it says that I don't have enough space on my startup disk. In order to create space I deleted everything nonessential and moved all of my essential folders such as documents, photos, videos, everything, etc. to my external drive, then deleted them from my hard drive. I emptied the trash to make sure that everything was wiped. I tried to do the Time Machine back up of my iPhoto Library again and is still says I don't have enough space. I looked at my storage under About this Mac, and it says that 120.35 GB of my current computer storage are photos, however, I don't have ANY photos on my hard drive at all. I don't know what to do because I can't delete applications and there is literally nothing else I can delete from my computer, so I don't understand how 135 GBs of storage is being used up.
Any ideas? Could there be somewhere my photos are hiding? I just don't understand how this makes any sense, or why my library got deleted in the first place for that matter.

Search for your photos in Spotlight.

Want to "move back" my iPhoto library +photos

Hi,
I am new to this forum and after reading a lot of pages I canot find any answer to my question !!
I changed my HD on my MBP (I have now a 320Go) and wanted to "get back" from an external HD, my iPhoto library and my files with originals photos wich have not been "imported" into iPhoto : menu "prefs/advanced/Import/copy in the iPhoto library is not checked".
I hope my explanations are OK !!
thanks
Jacques

James
Welcome to the Apple user to user assistance forums
my iPhoto library and my files with originals photos wich have not been "imported" into iPhoto : menu "prefs/advanced/Import/copy in the iPhoto library is not checked".
You are running a referenced library - which is not recommended for a number of reasons including it makes things like new hard drives and computers more difficult
One way to accomplish your desired move is to use alias herder - http://www.rorohiko.com/wordpress/downloads/aliasherder/ - to convert your library to a managed library - then you can simply quit iPhoto and drag the library where ever you want it and launch iPhoto while depressing the option (alt) key and point to it
Since the key to a referenced library is that the path to the photos does not change it may be possible to move the referenced library to your internal drive leaving the original photos where they are - I've not seen this but it seems that it might work - easy to give a try - quit iPhoto and drag the iPhoto library to the pictures folder on the internal drive and launch iPhoto while depressing the option (alt) key - if it works you have a partial solution - if it does not simply launch iPhoto with the option key and point back to the library that still exists on the EHD and delete the one you just moved to the internal drive
And note that you have imported your photos into iPhoto - you simply have not copied the originals to the iphoto library - the importing process is much more than just copying the photo - it involved updating all of the iPhoto database pointers
LN
Message was edited by: LarryHN

IPhoto has hidden my iPhoto Library- photos there, but can't locate LIBRARY

*Here's a bit of a strange one!* I have iPhoto 7.1 (not yet 7.1.1) on my PowerBook G4-12" and last week I imported 6700 photos from my Kodak EasyShare Collection (which had a total of 16,000+) - and it all worked great.
*I setup about 20 EVENTS-*- some with 4 photos-- some with 800! I transferred 6098 photos to my iPod Touch (16gb) and SUPER!! +(OK the iTouch puts the first dated photo in each event as the KEY photo-- doesn't accept the "KEY PHOTO" I assigned in iPhoto-- but otherwise super).+
*OK SO TODAY:* I have 132 new photos to import from my digital camera. _FORGOT TO SAY THIS:_ The 29 gb iPhoto Library is located on an *external 48 gb HD (LaCie 300 gb with 3 partitions - on the 48 gb partition).*
So I imported the photos directly to iPhoto and all the events are gone and just the new 132 photos (1 event).
WHAT?!?!?!!!!!!!!!
So I then plug-in the HD to my MacBook and opent iPhoto 7.1.1 with the option key down and choose the iPhoto Library on the External HD and all is there, all OK-- Whew!
I now open iPhoto 7.1 on the PBG4 and the photos are there!! - *but the external HD is not connected!!* Somehow iPhoto has transferred them to the internal 100gb HD on the PBG4-- BUT WHERE?!?!? Even with a SPOTLIGHT or EASY FIND search, _I cannot locate the iPhoto Library!!!_ I even deleted the photos that were similar in the Kodak EasyShare folder thinking it was referencing them, but nope-- it still opened with 132 photos and where they are located, I have no idea!
I would like to transfer these 132 photos to the MAIN iPhoto Library on the 48gb HD - but I don't know where they are! (I've gone to where it should be-- in Users/Steve/Pictures....)
But I see them!
Can I DELETE this single event? But what then, is that "invisible Library" still about?
At this time, I really don't want to connect the HD to the PBG4 since I don't want to risk it corrupting the 6700 photos in that Library.
(((Of course I'll backup that iPhoto Library first-- so if I "wreck" one, I'll have a backup))); and of course I have the photos themselves via the wonderful Kodak EasyShare program which plays videos in slide shows (but without "EVENTS" or the easy ability to transfer to the iTouch)--
Thanks for any comments!
Steve-- Sunday 3 February 2008

Stephen:
Do a search on the PB for a file titles "Library6.iPhoto". Every library has one and you can find the library by finding that file. Once you find the library open it like this and drag out the Originals folder to the desktop.
Now connect the external HD to the PB, launch iPhoto with the Option key depressed and, when asked, select the option to Find Library and open the one on the external HD. Now you can drag the Originals folder from the desktop into the open iPhoto window to get those 132 photos into that library. When done delete the library and originals folder from the PB.
What may have happened is that iPhoto was launched with the external HD disconnected and, not finding the library, created a new one. Using iPhoto Library Manager to manage and open your library will avoid that problem as it will tell you that the library is not available.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries and Leopard. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

IPhoto Library package deleted

Mac; OSXYosemite 10.10.13. Didn't realize this until my college son was home, asking where are all the pictures, he couldn't find on iPhoto. I showed him i saved them on a drive in different file folders, a few months ago...maybe in March 2015. When we opened those folders, the pictures looked lighter, and not all my pictures were there. He was looking for the iPhoto Library. Couldn't find it, anywhere. When I moved my pictures over, I also deleted everything I thought I didn't need..... then...I deleted the trash....

Thanks for sharing this example of why everyone must always have a good backup and anytime you move things around you just verify each step before going to the next one - sorry about your photos but thanks again for sharing and hopefully saving others from losing their photos
LN

IPhoto library photos not imported

I imported approximately 20,000+ photos from my PC without a major problem, took some time. Now when I open iPhoto I get a message "8 Photos have been found in the iPhoto library that have not been imported, would like to import them now?"....no matter if you select yes or no the action remains the same....an album gets created called "recovered photos." If you close and open the program again the same action takes place and another album gets created. There are no photos nor files in the new album created. I just want this message to STOP. Every time I open iPhoto I have to deal with this message and delete the new album but am quickly getting tired of it.

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.
Look there for a Folder called 'Import' or 'Importing'.
Drag it to the Desktop. *Make no other changes*.
Start iPhoto. Does that help?
If it does then look inside that folder on your desktop. Does it contain anything you want? If not you can trash the folder.
Regards
TD

Will all my iPhoto library get deleted if I buy iPhoto from a new ID?

Hello,
I have iPhoto on my MacBook Air. It seems to be somehow there from both my dad's and my ID, or sometimes just my dad's. I don't know how that's even possible, it's really confusing. Anyhow, I just want to delete it and get it only from my ID. The problem is that I'm worried that if I delete iPhoto, all my photos saved in the iPhoto library from Photo Stream etc. will get deleted. I can't even find the folder where iPhoto saves all the images, so I can copy that folder and create a back up. Please suggest a solution, and please let me know the location of the iPhoto Library folder. Also, how do I find out which application is from which Apple ID?
Thanks!

iPhoto saves all your photos in the iPhoto Library, normally in your Pictures Folder.
Reinstalling the app, regardless of the ID associated with it, will not affect this.
But always, always have an up-to-date back up.

Viewing imported hidden iPhoto Library photos in Aperture

I recently downloaded the trial version of Aperture and imported my iPhoto library. When I did that, hidden photos/events (marked as hidden in iPhoto) were not visible in Aperture. There is a "place-holder" with the original iPhoto event names for the now Aperture projects, but no photos are visible and I can't find a way to unhide them.
I have since purchased and registered Aperture, but this problem persists. Does anyone know how I can make these hidden files visible in Aperture?

In the top right corner of the browser is a search box. By default it is set to show unrated or better images. If you click the triangle beside the magnifying glass you'll get a drop down. One of the choices is *Show All*. Select that . You're hidden images should appear.

IPhoto library-file deleted - and originals missing in Aperture....

Just moved my Aperture-library to my new iMac. Unfortunately almost all pics came from my old iPhoto-library which is gone now.
I can't do anything but look at the pictures. Can't edit, export, share etc.
When trying to e.g. export a file Aperture says 'The selected original image is either offline or not found. Please reconnect it and try again.'.
Don't ask about the backup from Time Machine - that too is gone...
Now what?
Thanks.
Thomas

How did you import your old iPhoto photos? And with what Aperture version?
Before the unified Aperture - iPhoto library has been introduced, it was possible to import an iPhoto library as referenced. This left all originals in the iPhoto library, so iPhoto continued to work, but Aperture could use the master files. Is that the way you imported your iPhoto library, with the master files in there original location?
When trying to e.g. export a file Aperture says 'The selected original image is either offline or not found. Please reconnect it and try again.'.
That is the typical error message, when Aperture cannot access the original files. And Aperture wil not be able to do anything with your images, unless you restore the missing originals.
Just moved my Aperture-library to my new iMac.
Where did you move your Aperture library from ? From an older mac? From a backup?
Did Aperture work on that old Mac and could access the originals?
Do you still have that old mac, and is there any chance that recovery software could retrieve the missing original files on that mac?
Sometimes Aperture reports originals as missing, even if they are managed inside the Aperture library.
You can find out, where Aperture is looking for the original files, if you select some image files in the browser and use Aperture's command "File > Locate Referenced Files".
In the panel that opens, you can see the path to missing files in the upper right corner below the thumbnail.
What do you see, when you use that command?

My iPhoto library got deleted when i got the newest macbook pro update. How do I retrieve it???

I received the update for my macbook pro (10.8.5), and since then, my iPhoto library has dissapeared. When I open it, I am given the option to select an iPhoto library. There were no libraries to choose from so I hit 'create new...'. My photos are gone and I can't find them anywhere.

Perform a Spotlight search for pics you know are on your computer; if you see one, it's a sign that the pictures are there, but not presently associated with a library. I realize you performed a search, but try again.
If there's still no luck, see if you can find the photos on your backup. When you locate them, you can apply the data to iPhoto.
If you don't back up your data, and still can't find your photos...I really can't suggest anything. I don't want to sound snobbish, but modern computing assumes a regular backup schedule.

Iphoto Library Photos Disappeared

Using iphoto 8, just finished downloading photos from camera. Clicked umount on camera and disconnected mini usb from camera.
Then received msg that some events may have not been saved properly. Couldn't open pics i had just downloaded. Closed iphoto and when I reopened all my photos gone!
Help!

Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Do you see anything in iPhoto, like thumbnails or empty thumbnails?
It's a damaged database file. The following may help: try the three 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 all 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.
Fix #3
Start over with a new library and import the Originals folder from your original library as follows:
Creating a new library while preserving the Events from the original library.
1. Move the existing library folder to the desktop.
2. Open the library package like this.
3. Launch iPhoto and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
4. Drag the Originals folder from the iPhoto Library on the desktop into the open iPhoto window.
This will create a new library with the same Events as the original library if you have the Finder checkbox unchecked in the Events preference pane.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier versions) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

Iphoto duplicate photo delete

what are the options for easily deleting duplicate photos in iphoto ?

The only option is the 3rd party application Duplicate Annihilator.
OT

IPhoto Library photos deleted!

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