IPhoto Library is in use or unreadable

I believe I corrupted my default iPhoto '09 (8.1.2) library a few days ago. I have not set up Time Machine, but I haven't lost any photos. I simply cannot open iPhoto (the "in use or unreadable" error seems to be a well-known one). This was likely caused by me working with Picasa for the first time in a long time and not understanding the applications' relationship.
I tried to make a collage of 2 photos in Picasa and was probably not careful with the original files. I may have deleted 1 from my iPhoto package contents. Would this cause the application to not start? I tried moving files related to these photos out of the iPhoto Library, but this did not help, so I moved them back in. Rebooting didn't help, and when trying all kinds of combinations on the "rebuild" prompt screen, I get the same error message as when I try to open my default Library. iPhoto Library Manager is not helpful for saving albums/events since the default library is unreadable.
Is there any way to make my default library ignore certain missing files or function similarly to how it did a few days ago? In general, is it dangerous to work with any small file inside the iPhoto library package?
Thanks in advance.

Here's the thing: Picasa claims to work with the iPhoto Library but it uses a hack rather than the supported APIs to do it. So as the OS and the app get updated from time to time, the effect of Picasa on the Library can change. Personally, I simply would not allow Picasa to run on the iPhoto Library. Instead, export the pics from iPhoto, do what you wish in Picasa and then import the product back to iPhoto.
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. 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

I just noticed that I can no longer select photos out of my finder that are located in my Aperture/Iphoto Library. I used to be able to attach photos to my gmail out of the aperture library in the finder and for some reason, no longer can.

I just noticed that I can no longer select photos out of my finder that are located in my Aperture/Iphoto Library. I used to be able to attach photos to my gmail out of the aperture library in the finder and for some reason, no longer can.
I can't access these images except to go into the applications.
Also, I'd like to import my iphoto library into aperture, and move aperture library to an external drive. I tried the import first, but there wasn't enough space. Then I tried copying over the aperture library onto the external drive but it failed bc it said file was in use.
As it is, I only have 50gb left on my imac, and the aperture library is 150gb. Also, I have over 10k images in both libraries combined and there are tons of duplicates that need to be sorted, and hopefully not messed up because I've organized most of them.
So in short, I need to know how to do the following:
-select photos in finder in aperture/iphoto libraries
-move aperture library to live on external drive
-import iphoto library into aperture library
-eliminate dups but maintain organization
-moving forward i need a better workflow so that I import images from camera, and can organize right away into albums rather than creating projects by default and then creating albums so essentially the photos are in 2 different places, even tho they are referenced
-live happily ever after
Thanks in advance for any support you can offer!!

If you're using apps like iPhoto or Aperture then they replace the Finder for managing your photos. The point is that you use the (many) options available via these apps for the things you want and need to do with the Photos.
So, simply, you don't select the photos in the Finder. I'll append the supported ways to do this - which are faster and will yield the current version of your Photos - to the end of this post.
-move aperture library to live on external drive
Managed or Referenced Library? Managed -
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
1. Quit Aperture
2. Copy the Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching Aperture. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
Referenced - relocate your Masters first.
These issues are covered in the Manual and on this forum hundreds of times.
-import iphoto library into aperture library
FIle -> Import -> iPhoto Library? Have you done this already? If so are you trying to move the Masters to Aperture from an iPhoto Library? Or Consolidate them?
-moving forward i need a better workflow so that I import images from camera, and can organize right away into albums rather than creating projects by default and then creating albums so essentially the photos are in 2 different places, even tho they are referenced
You can't. Every photo is in a Project. They’re the basic building blocks of the Library.
You might want to spend a little time with the manual or the video tutorials. I'm not sure you've grasped the app you've purchased.
The following is written for iPhoto, but about 97% works for Aperture too.
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto/ APerture: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics. This is what you use to attach your shot to your GMail
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps. If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto/ Aperture.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
If you want to access the files with iPhoto/ Aperture not running:
For users of 10.6 and later: You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the Library from your Services Menu.
Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser

IPhoto library delete and use Lightroom

Dear all,
I've been searching for an answer to my specific issue but no luck yet.
I understand iPhoto and the duplicates it collects in the iPhoto 'file'. I read a few of T Devlin's posts!
However after some deliberation, I've decided to move to Lightroom instead of using iPhoto.
I don't mind manually sorting/collecting my photos in my own folders and not using iPhoto to help me manage them
Therefore, I've been wanting to delete that iPhoto duplicates 'file' but wondering if it is safe to do so without messing up my originals in their folders.
I intend to uncheck 'copy items in photo library...' option but wondering if that auto deletes the massive iPhoto file, or do I have to them go in and delete it manually?
Also, I want to reinstall my OSX onto an SSD and then use my 1TB as an extra drive. I'm guessing if I, at that point, re-check that option, it auto backs up the photos all over again?
Thanks for your advice

1 - You do not understand how iPhoto works - it never duplicates photos (it does have different versions - no duplicates)
2 - you should not ever import any photo into iPhoto with the Copy imported items to iPhoto unchecked - it is a recipe for many future problems
3 - to move to any other program including LR simply select your photos and export them - see Exporting From iPhoto - for details
4 - after your photos are safely out of iPhoto trash the iPhoto library
5 - if you do not use iPhoto you will never create another library - and if yo do use it you do not want a referenced library - see iPhoto and File Management
6 - you should not use both iPhoto and LR - they do the same thing in different ways and can not work together in any way
LN

Can I delete iPhoto Library now I use Photo for iCloud?

Hi,
Had a look around for the answer but I cannot find it.
My MBP is running low on HD space, can i delete the old iPhoto Library now i am storing them all on the cloud with photo?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Stelios

Very good point, once they take it out of BETA then in theory it would be ok?
Will also be saving a local backup also so im not relying on icloud fully.

Hi, Please help. I accidentally deleted my entire Iphoto Library. I used Stellar Phoenix 4.1 and I do believe that I recovered all. I recovered to "My Passport" for Mac External HD. Files are all mixed up, best way to import back?

Hi, a couple days ago, I was orgainizing my Iphoto libray. Then, I thought that I was emptying my trash on Iphoto. (the ones I deleted when orgainizing) after hitting are you sure button, I realized that it was 209 files with 18,000+ photos. So I frantically stopped iphoto from "saving critical information" thinking If I left it open I could copy all my files over to (I beleive somewhere in finder under pictures?) I thought, but it most have been under the applications folder. Well this is where I really messed up. So after saving every file to that section, and everything was normal again on iphoto, I decided to make space and delete them from where I put them. So instead of selecting each file indivually, I used the select ALL button. Only to find that it deleted EVERYTHING. Iphoto (the file) was apparently at the bottom of the page along with Nikon Transfer, Lightroom 2 and god knows what else. That is when I found a data recovery software program (Stellar Phoenix 4.1mac) 17 hours later it found 159GB. I read enough to know that I HAD to go and buy an external HD. (even though I already own Time Capsule, but I never hooked it up ) was confused about if I could actually use that for this matter so, I just went and bought My Passport an external HD for Mac. Plugged it in, and recovered what looks like all my files (hopefully) did also read enough that I knew NOT to use my computer after this occured.
Now that you all know how I got into this mess, I would like to know the best way to import the files back? Ok I know this sounds easy, but all the files are scattered everywhere on the HD. Is there a way to put them back on my Mac Book Pro that would possibly put them in some kind of order? Date? Image file number? Anything? 18,000 photos to reorgainze is going to be brutal. I can reinstall Lightroom 2, if i can locate where I put the disk. And I also have CS5. Also wondering if the quality of the photo was affected? I did get them back, so I am not complaining but any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
Will be turning on Time Machine and hooking up Time Capsule as well. Should I also use my new HD along with capsule? Any advice on that matter would also be greatly appreciated as well!!!!!
Thanks, Michelle

There is an iPhoto community forum if you are at all interested:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/ilife/iphoto

How do I restore my iPhoto. When I open i get a window dialog "Your iphoto library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable shut down and restart your computer. If problem persists, try rebuilding your iphoto library. To do th

When I try to open iPhoto I get a window dialog that says...
Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable
Shut down and restart your computer, and then open iPhoto again. If the problem persists, try rebuilding your photo library. To do this, quit iPhoto, and then reopen it while keeping the Option and Command keys pressed. You can also try restoring your photo library from a backup.
I have tried the reopen it while keeping the Option and Command keyes pressed.
No change.
I dee nothing but a blank page,
Any help would be appreciated.
Also hace back ups of all images on cd's. dvds and jump drives.
Any advice is appreciated.

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

IPhoto library has become unreadable (again!)....

I have a very large iPhoto library containing everything I ever photographed since 2000
It worked perfectly until I was away in February when it crashed (became unreadable) while I was editing new photos - I panicked thinking I had lost everything and then read as much as my small brain could understand about how to fix it and only lost a couple of photos in the repair.
Since then, iPhoto has worked perfectly again although I tend not to shut it or the MacBook down as often.
Last night, editing new photos, it became unreadable again.
I now have the old old library stored on a small hard drive, the new old library on another, time machine backed up on another and a big new LaCie 3tb external hard drive which only has the photo library on it (bar the very recent photos which are still on my camera card)
I am not technical enough to understand why my library keeps having a problem or what to do about fixing it properly and I am struggling to know how to manage it all
What I really want to do (I think) is store my iPhoto library permanently on the external drive as it has considerably more capacity than my MacBook but also be able to access the more recent photos just on the MacBook - is this possible?
How should I fix my library and sort this mess out?
Step by step info and assume I know less than a 3 year old about it please - also I have aperture on my MacBook could this be part of the problem?
Thanks in advance - v frustrated at my lack of knowledge!!
Ps I have read the forums but I don't understand most of it! I need an idiots guide...
MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)
I have 44.29GB of space left on my hard drive (242.something maximum)
iPhoto version is 9.4.3

28k isn't a big library these days. My main library is coming up on twice that and we see reports on here from people with libraries in excess of 100k. The capacity of an iPhoto 11 library is 1,000,000, earlier versions are good for 250,000.
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

Hi. I opened iPhoto and, suddenly, it tells me " WHAT IPHOTO LIBRARY DO I WANT TO USE?" but i had a iPhoto library. When i search on my Pictures, i have the file IPHOTO LIBRARY but it appears on a dim letters and i can not open it.

Hi. I need some help on the following problem. I opened iPhoto and, suddenly, it tells me " WHAT IPHOTO LIBRARY DO I WANT TO USE?" but i had a iPhoto library. When i search on my Pictures, i have the file IPHOTO LIBRARY but is was not the icon on it i previously remembered and it appears on a dim letters and it can not be opened ... How can i recover it??

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

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

How do I determine what iphoto is trying to use as the current library?

I had an issue earlier tonight when i accidentally yanked the USB cable out of the external hard drive which held the current library while importing in to iPhoto. This, of course, made a bit of a mess, but now it seems that iPhoto is using some other library, which I can't find, and so I can't rename it to allow me to change to the old library.
Is there a way that I can just force iphoto to allow me to find the proper libary? Or find what it's currently using and change it?

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and point it at the Library on the external. If iPhoto sees an undamaged library there it will open it.
If it doesn't see one:
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 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.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new 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.
To find that "hidden" library:
Go to The Finder -> Go Menu -> Go To Folder and type /Volumes into the address box.
Regards
TD

Trying to use the plug in to switch from iPhoto to lightroom but all I get is a window that says "checking iPhoto library" Whats happening?

rying to use the plug in to switch from iPhoto to lightroom

1. Back up your Library now. You don't use iPhoto to back it up, you can do it simply by dragging the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder to the External Disk
2.
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 Dropbox as iPhoto library location?

I need access to my image files from several computers, and am wondering whether I could simply locate my iPhoto library on Dropbox, and access it as needed. I am, and would continue, backing up to a remote hard drive, so the Dropbox would not be the only location of my iPhoto library.

You can use Dropbox to run iPhoto from multiple computers but, unless you want to purchase additional dropbox space, the library's size must be less than 2 GB in size. See Old Toad's Tutorial #20 - "Syncing" a Small iPhoto Library between Multiple Macs with Dropbox for more info. Be sure to read the warning in the tutorial.
You must allow sufficient time for changes made on computer A to be synced to computers B and C (they must be up and online to do so).

Why is restoring my iphoto library using backup app not working?

Hey,
I did not have enough space on my hard drive for all of my photos in iphoto. So I did a complete backup of my entire iphoto library onto an external hard drive. I have since upgraded to a new, larger internal hard drive. So I wanted to restore my complete iphoto library.
I used the Backup application to restore the files to iphoto, and Backup says the process was successful. When the application backed up my photos it created 10 different back up files, but only one of them has photo files in it. I restored them all, but only one actually restored my photos. So now my photos have been restored to iphoto, and I am able to see all the photos in each event when viewing them all at once, but if I double click to view a single image, the icon of a ! with a circle around it appears. So I don't really have any of my photos...I don't understand why this is or how to fix it.

What backup application did you use to make the backup and to try to recover the library?
The iPhoto 08 library is a unix style package and will have up to 16 items in it:
Click to view full size
Are you getting something similar?
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.

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

I am getting a message that my iphoto library cannot be opened because I mades changes to my photos in a newer version of iphoto and I need to quit and use the newest version of iPhoto. but i cannot update it and or access my photos. Help. thanks.

I am getting a message that my iphoto library cannot be opened because I mades changes to my photos in a newer version of iphoto and I need to quit and use the newest version of iPhoto. but in update, it says i have no updates. i dont even remember making changes in iphoto.Help. thanks.

What version of iPhoto? Assuming 09 or later...
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 Library Manager it's the FIle -> Rebuild command)
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

IPhoto Library is in use or unreadable

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