IPhoto can't access photo library

I recently updated iPhoto. Now it can't access my photo library. How do I fix this?

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

Similar Messages

Can't access photo library after last update

I have a Macbook Air 13 and am running the most current Maverick (10.9.5) before Yosemite was released.
I take all updates as they arrive and are listed by AppStore.
After the last iPhoto update that came about the time Yosemite arrived I can no longer access my photo Library.
When opening iPhoto it give me a choice to upgrade my library or quit. So I tried to upgrade and after about 30 seconds iPhoto simply goes away.
I am traveling and can not do the large Yosemite upgrade, in case that is the issue, but need access to my photos.
When I plug in and sync my iPhone5S (which is running the latest updates as well) it seems to sync but I have no way to import the photos.
I am guessing this is related to the last update but have no idea what to do in order to recover.
iPhoto 9.6 now show incompatible but I don't recall seeing this earlier.
I am running iTunes 12.0.1 and it can not access the photo settings. It just sits with the busy spinner.

iPhoto 9.6 only runs on Yosemite.
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 Repair Database. If that doesn't help, then try again, this time using Rebuild Database.
If that fails:
Option 2
Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild function. (In early versions of Library Manager it's the File -> Rebuild command. In later versions it's under the Library menu.)
This will create an entirely new library. It will then copy (or try to) your photos and all the associated metadata and versions to this new Library, and arrange it as close as it can to what you had in the damaged Library. It does this based on information it finds in the iPhoto sharing mechanism - but that means that things not shared won't be there, so no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your events, 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 access Photo Library First Aid

Before I start my doubt I already did this: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2512?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
But I can't access the photo library first aid. The problem is my iPhoto doesn't let copy photos from library to ie: desktop. And then appears a window with this info: The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items.
Jeez what is this issue? I put my photos on this software because I trust on Apple products and now I don't have access to them?
Following the link I posted, a press the command button as the same time the iphoto dock logo and the Photo Library First Aid doesn't appear lol
Apple I want a solution for this problem now! All my work is inside of iPhoto library

Try the following:
1 - delete the iPhoto preference file, com.apple.iPhoto.plist, that resides in your
User/Home/Library/ Preferences folder.
2 - delete the contents the following folder:
User/Library/Containers/com.apple.iPhoto
3 - reboot, launch iPhoto and try again.
NOTE: For Mavericks, 10.9, go to your Home folder and use the View ➙ Show View Options menu to bring the this window:
where you can check the Show Library Folder checkbox.

Can't access photo library... 10.8.3

I am operating Mountain Lion 10.8.3
Iphoto 9.4.2
When trying to open Iphoto, I get the message:
" To open your library with this version of IPHoto, it first needs to be prepared"
I have installed the IPhoto Library upgrader.
I'm getting the same message.
any suggestions out there?

Doh!
Thank you Terence. ALL good.
Sue
This solved my question.

I have suddenly become unable to access photo library iPhoto (vers 9.5) on my external drive. And time Machine will no longer back up to the same external (LaCie) drive. Appreciate all suggestions. The drive does show up on my desktop....

I have suddenly become unable to access photo library (iPhoto vers 9.5) on my external hard drive. Also time machine isnt backing up to same external hard drive (LaCie). The drive does show up on the desk top, but when i open iPhoto the library isnt listed, so I cant option click.

First, one should not try to run an iPhoto library from the same volume/drive that is being used by Time Machine for backups. TM will continue to fill up the drive thus squeezing out iPhoto from being able to be opened and used. Also that doesn't allow you to let TM backup your library as it does with other files on your boot drive.
If you partition the EHD into two separate partitions you can run the library from it but that won't let TM backup the library which is important.
Are you able to see the library on the EHD via the Finder? If so copy it back to your boot drive and open it there. You may have to do some fixing on it.
Solution is to either run the library from the boot drive or get a second EHD to run the library from and let TM back it up along with your boot drive.
OT

How do you fix this error? Can't access photos Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable

How do you fix this error? Can't access photos----" Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable"

Try this: launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library. Import some photos and check to see if the same problem persists. If you can create and use a new library then your current library is damaged.
If that's the case make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
Fix #1
Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
Select the options identified in the screenshot.
Fix #2
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.
OT

HT4477 Can't open any pictures or access Photo Library.

Can't open any pictures or access Photo Library.

There are 9 different versions of iPhoto and they run on seven different versions of the Operating System. The tricks and tips for dealing with issues vary from version to version and OS to OS. So before anyone can help, they need information to work with. Basic stuff:
- What version of iPhoto.
- What version of the Operating System.
- Details. What were you doing when the problem arose?
- Did it ever work properly?
- Are there error messages?
- What steps have you tried already to solve the issue.
Anything else you can think of that might allow someone else to understand your issue.
With this kind of information somebody can develop a starting point for troubleshooting the issue.
Posts that consist of "iPhoto doesn't work. Help" or "iPhoto won't print" mean that any helper is simply guessing. More information means you get better assistance.

You can't open 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

you can't open 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 latest version of iphoto. iphoto 11 is installed.

This is a message you got?
If so, as your post isn't clear, it may be a bogus message caused by a corrupt database.
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

IPhoto can't find photo even though the thumbnail is present. Any help, there are dozens of photos in my library that won't open as iPhoto can't find them.

iPhoto can't find photo even though the thumbnail is present. Any help, there are dozens of photos in my library that won't open as iPhoto can't find them. This is probably a very common question!

With the amount of information you've provided it's impossible to offer a potential solution. We need to know the details of your problem and situation, i.e.:
what version of iPhoto are you using?
what system version are you running?
what do you see when you launch iPhoto to open your library?
what fixes have you tried before coming here?
where is you library located?
how long has this been occuring?
did you apple any updates or upgrades just prior?
are you running a "managed" or "referenced" library?
what type of Mac?
how much free space on your boot drive?
What do you see when you click on a thumbnail?
OT

Hi, i can't open photo library on my iPhoto. Now lost all my photos. How to restore al photos on iPhoto?

Hi, i can't open photo library on my iPhoto. Now lost all my photos. How to restore all photos on iPhoto on Macbookair?

With the amount of information you've provided it's impossible to offer a potential solution. We can't see your computer so we need to know the details of your problem and setup, i.e.:
what version of iPhoto are you using?
what system version are you running?
what do you see when iPhoto opens?
what fixes have you tried?
where is your library located?
did you apply any updates or upgrades just prior to the problem occurring?
are you running a "managed" or "referenced" library?
what type of Mac?
how much free space on your boot drive?
OT

HT4906 I have upgraded my OS to Mountain Lion and updated Iphoto to latest, however, I still can not access photos sent to me via photo stream. what else do I need to do? I'm $30 into this effort, and no results!

I have upgraded my OS to Mountain Lion and updated Iphoto to latest, however, I still can not access photos sent to me via photo stream. what else do I need to do? I'm $30 into this effort, and no results!

Log out of iCloud in the System/iCloud preference pane and disable Photo Stream in iPhoto's Photo Share preference pane. Then log back in and re-enable, respectively. That should jump start Photo Stream.
OT

Can't access photos from prior tobut 1/27/10. Thu ide to desktop. Giant "!" appears.

Can't access photos from prior to 1/27/11. Thumbnails appear, but can't open, email or move them to desktop. Giant "!" appears.

The ! turns up when iPhoto loses the connection between the thumbnail in the iPhoto Window and the file it represents.
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

I was getting messages that my Aperture Library was full, so I updated to Aperture 5.3.1. When I open it, I'm asked to update my library. When I select that option, I'm told that my library is full. Now I can't access my library at all. What should I do t

Hi all,
I was getting messages that my Aperture Library was full, so made an appointment at my closest Mac store, but have to wait 2 days. They advise you to update saoftware before coming in, so I updated to Aperture 5.3.1. When I open it, I'm asked to update my library. When I select that option, I'm told that my library is full. Now I can't access my library at all. What should I do to access my library? Do I have to uninstall 5.3.1 and reinstall an older version?
Another problem I have recently encountered ... all the up and down scrollers on various screens have disappeared. They reappear fleetingly when I use my up and down arrowa, but I can't always catch them. How do I get my scrollers back?

Thank you so much for your patient guidance and screen captures.
You are welcome.
My external hard drive is properly formatted for Aperture, so I am currently copying my Aperture library to it. That will take hours since it is copying 101 GB.
o.k.
I understand that I need to clean some space on my internal hard drive and reformat the Aperture library to get back in operation.
You need to upgrade the Aperture library to be used with Aperture 3.5.1. That will happen automatically, when you first double click the copied lirary to open it in Aperture.
I'll also need to back up my external drive with a new external drive if I make space on my internal drive by removing some photos from there and store them on my current external drive.
What do you use for backup? If you are using TimeMachine it is better to have only the Time Machine backup on the Time Machine drive . In that case would I put the Aperture library and other data on a new drive and keep the old drive for backup.

When I start my iPhoto it says: "Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable". I don't have a back-up of my library and I don't know what to do! Thanks

When I start my iPhoto it says: "Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable". I don't have a back-up of my library and I don't know what to do! Thanks

Try to restart your Mac. If the library is really in use by another application, that can clear it.
Tell us more about your system. Which version of iPhoto are you using? Which version of MacOS X?
Where are you storing your iPhoto Library?
What happened before this problem first started? Did iPhoto crash? Did you move the iPhoto Library somewhere else?
Try Terence Devlin's fix here: Re: IPHOTO LOCKED
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 file called ‘iPhoto’Lock.data or similar. Drag it to the Desktop. Make no other changes. Start iPhoto. Does that help?

Can't open Photos library, and how to fix it?

I successfully migrated from iPhoto library to this new Photos Library in April.17th, and everything seems okay except for some minor bugs.
but from yesterday on, I started Photos and got this message "Can't open Photos Library, try another."
If I try reading iPhoto or Aperture Library. Photos started migration from iPhoto or Aperture Library process again.
So, In short, the newly migrated default library can't be read by Photos.
Recently I did some import from cameras and a newly bought Gopro, and MAYBE A HINT, when I connected Gopro to Mac, Photos automactically opened up its window and tried to import videos but only left me a permanent freezing, so I did forced close to Photos...maybe at that time the library was damaged...
Please...Is there any method to recover or rebuild the damaged library? I really don't want to re-immigrate from iPhotos library. Do Photos get any build-in fix tools or alike?

try to backup your photos library and hold down the option and command keys while launching Photos - repair the library
LN

IPhoto can't access photo library

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