IPhoto won't import jpeg or gif, or any common photo types, from backup CD

I recently had my hard drive replaced. I had backed up all of my photos on a CD, but iPhoto gives an error message when I try to import some of the jpegs and gifs to the new HD: "The following files could not be imported (they may be an unrecognized file type or the files may not contain valid data". Is this a software issue?

Back up your iPhoto library, Depress and hold the option (alt) and command keys and launch iPhoto - rebuild your iPhoto library - start at the first option and try each one in order
LN

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IPhoto won't import jpeg photos from camera

I've been using the same method to import photos from my camera to iPhoto '09 with no problem ever since we got this computer. All of the sudden, the photos will not import and the error message says the file format is unreadable. All photos have the name.jpg format.

Welcome to Apple Discussions, Julie.
Remove the following to the trash and restart the computer and try again:
Home > Library > Caches (I remove the whole folder. It will be re-generated upon restart.)
Home > Library > Preferences > com.apple.iPhoto (There will may be more than one. Remove them all.)
If the issue persists these jpeg files may be damaged. Try importing them using Image Capture found in Macintosh HD > Applications.
If Image Capture can import them you can then try to add them to iPhoto.
If you still get the same error message try opening the files with Preview by double-clicking on them. You can then go to File > Save As > Format > TIFF and add those files to iPhoto.
Consider using these best practice tips to avoid or minimize the impact of issues in the future:
_Ensure your camera has a full charge on the battery before you import (Or run off of AC if possible).
_Ensure the date and time on the camera are correct before importing.
_If you are using a media card reader and are getting regular failures, try using a different reader or the camera itself (The same is true about importing directly from the camera. Try a reader instead.)
_Plug the camera directly into the computer with a solid connection, no loose cables. Don't use a hub.
_Reformat the camera's media card using the camera itself between uses.
_Alternate between multiple media cards during photo shoots (trips, etc) so that if one card goes bad (they are just little bits of plastic after all) you don't lose the entire shoot.
Hope that helps.

IPhoto won't import JPEG pics from iPhone4

I'm not able to import photos taken with my new iPhone 4 into iPhoto; I get the warning 'unrecognized file format' and a list of files, and they're all in JPG format. Any suggestions how to solve this problem?

Search the forum. There have been a number of reports of this issue over the last few weeks and some suggestions for how to resolve it.
Regards
TD

Isplash and Colorize files save as JPEG but Iphoto won't import them in.

I bought both Isplash and Colorize apps to use the edited photos in an imovie video. The programs both import my iphoto files seamlessly for coloring but when I try and save them in Iphoto or import them into iphoto I get this error.
the file could not be imported (the file is in the iphoto library)
Help?!

the file could not be imported (the file is in the iphoto library)
iPhoto won't import files that are already in the working Library package. How did they get there?
I'm guessing that you did not use either of these apps as an external editor?
You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.

IPhoto won't import .mov video from iPhone

I just got my wife a new Mac mini. It is running the latest versions of Mountain Lion and iPhoto.
She's recorded some short videos of the kids with her iPhone (4s), and wants to organize these in iPhoto alongside pictures of the kids (she's done this before).
However, since getting her new computer, when she tried to import the videos, she got an error message that said the files were an unrecognized format.
We were able to retrieve the videos and copy them to her hard drive using Image Capture; however, she would still like to import them to iPhoto.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.
-tri

There are many, many posts of this nature in these forums. See, for example:
iphoto won’t import mov video
For many, rebuilding the XPC helper cache solves the problem off the bat. In terminal try this, and reboot:
sudo /usr/libexec/xpchelper --rebuild-cache
The above posted by Andy Ball on a thread related to a similar problem with Aperture:
Re: Import video to Aperture library on Mountain Lion
Other things to try:
1. create a fresh iPhoto library and try that. (hold down opt while launching iPhoto)
2. create a new OS X user (in system preferences) and try there.
In my case – and many cases – neither of those things work either, which means the problem is system wide. Again suggesting that the xpc helper solution might work. But for me it did not either.
There are other suggestions that there are conflicts with Perian (on Yosemite) and flip4mac. In my case uninstalling both of those didn't solve it either.
So maybe one of those solutions will work for you, results apparently vary. But this is a huge unresolved issue many others are having as well. I have a case with a senior apple advisor open, still unresolved. His suggestion of course, at this point, is an archive and re-install. I'm not ready to go there yet.
BTW, another thing he had me try was to import the file with Image Capture (which works). Then open it in QuickTime Player X. Then try exporting to 480p. Does QuickTime crash? It does for me.
My summary:
1. Files successfully import with Image Player.
2. Files play with QuickTime Player X.
3. QuickTime Player X crashes when exporting to 480p.
4. Files import with iMove.
5. Files fail to import with iPhoto (unrecognized format as with OP)
6. iPhoto import failure/errors are system wide and not specific to a library or a user.
7. rebuilding xpchelper cache and rebooting in my case does not resolve issue.
8. same videos import fine in iPhoto on a totally different system (laptop running same versions of OS X 10.10 and iPhoto 9.5.1)

IPhoto won't import .mov files from iPhone

I'm trying to import the photos and videos from my iPhone and the following screen shows up:
I've only had this trouble since updating to Yosemite. Any help is appreciated.
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010)
8GB Memory
2.53 GHz Intel Core i5

There are many, many posts of this nature in these forums. See, for example:
iphoto won’t import mov video
For many, rebuilding the XPC helper cache solves the problem off the bat. In terminal try this, and reboot:
sudo /usr/libexec/xpchelper --rebuild-cache
The above posted by Andy Ball on a thread related to a similar problem with Aperture:
Re: Import video to Aperture library on Mountain Lion
Other things to try:
1. create a fresh iPhoto library and try that. (hold down opt while launching iPhoto)
2. create a new OS X user (in system preferences) and try there.
In my case – and many cases – neither of those things work either, which means the problem is system wide. Again suggesting that the xpc helper solution might work. But for me it did not either.
There are other suggestions that there are conflicts with Perian (on Yosemite) and flip4mac. In my case uninstalling both of those didn't solve it either.
So maybe one of those solutions will work for you, results apparently vary. But this is a huge unresolved issue many others are having as well. I have a case with a senior apple advisor open, still unresolved. His suggestion of course, at this point, is an archive and re-install. I'm not ready to go there yet.
BTW, another thing he had me try was to import the file with Image Capture (which works). Then open it in QuickTime Player X. Then try exporting to 480p. Does QuickTime crash? It does for me.
My summary:
1. Files successfully import with Image Player.
2. Files play with QuickTime Player X.
3. QuickTime Player X crashes when exporting to 480p.
4. Files import with iMove.
5. Files fail to import with iPhoto (unrecognized format as with OP)
6. iPhoto import failure/errors are system wide and not specific to a library or a user.
7. rebuilding xpchelper cache and rebooting in my case does not resolve issue.
8. same videos import fine in iPhoto on a totally different system (laptop running same versions of OS X 10.10 and iPhoto 9.5.1)

IPhoto won't import movies (.mov, .mp4) into the library since last upgrade to 9.5.1 (902.17)

iPhoto won't import movies (.mov, .mp4) into the library since last upgrade to 9.5.1 (902.17). Error message is "File format not recognized". Before that, no problem. Had them first on SD-card over USB, tried then to copy to the HD (Desktop) and import from there, but didn't work. Imported successfully into iMovie and exported as .mp4, but even this is not recognized.

As a Test:
Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?
Post back with the result.

IPhoto won't import new photos from Photo Stream.

Hello,
iPhoto won't import new taken pictures from Photo Stream. When I disable and then re-enable Photo Stream, all pictures will be imported to iPhoto. But when I take some more pictures, these won't appear in Photo Stream (until disabling/enabling Photo Stream in iPhoto).
Anyone with similar experience?

As a Test:
Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Create Library'
Import a few pics into this new, blank library. Is the Problem repeated there?

IPhoto won't import video from a Samsung HZ15W digital camera.

iPhoto won't import video from a Samsung HZ15W digital camera. What's the easiest way to get the video imported. Also, didn't prior versions of iPhoto accept this format?

As you don't mention the version of iPhoto, I can only guess that you've been caught in the gap between Apple and Samsung. Somethign changed with iPhoto 11 and it's quite rigid about how timecode is handled in video and there's something not quite standard in the Samsung timecode. Google around a bit for more.
And, as Larry say, try iMovie
Regards
TD

IPhoto won't import images from Aperture.

I export images to a jpg version at 1024 X 1024. Preview can open them, Photoshop Elelments 3 can open them, but IPhoto refuses to import them as they are "an unrecognizable file type or the files may not contain valid data".
Any ideas what is going on?
Peter

Rusty Rat
Where did you export them to? Into the iPhoto Library Folder? Because iPhoto will not import pics from the iPhoto Library Folder - a sensible precaution against duplication. So, export to the desktop and import from there.
Regards
TD

I updated iPhoto this morning. And now I can't email photos directly from iPhoto. Whats that all about?

I updated iPhoto this morning. And now I can't email photos directly from iPhoto. Whats that all about?

Which iPhoto version did you update to?
If it is iPhoto 9.6 open iPhoto's preferences, go to the Accounts pane and delete the email account.
Now quit iPhoto, relaunch, and add the account back.
You may have to restart the Mac for this to have effect.
If you are using iPhoto as Mail client, you may want to switch to Mail as the email client in iPhoto's General preference pane.
This has been much more reliable in the past and less trouble.

Iphoto won't import NEF files (RAW) How do I convert to Jpeg?

Iphoto won't download Nikon NEF (RAW) files. Nor will Aperture. Can I convert existing files to Jpeg ?

Iphoto won't download Nikon NEF (RAW) files
The raw support is specific for each camera model. iPhoto and Aperture can import NEF files for many Nikon models, and it will depend on the camera you are using and your MacOS X version, see this list of supported cameras: Apple - Aperture - Technical Specifications - RAW Support
Can I convert existing files to Jpeg ?
Use the software that came with your camera to develope the RAW files, that will give the best results. Or try the Adobe DNG converter - download it here: Adobe - Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter : For Macintosh

IPhoto won't import photos from new 70D

Hi - I'm hoping for some guidance. I was a Rebel Xsi user for years, and just got a 70D. I used to be able to plug my camera in and iphoto would open up and import everything. Now, it only works sporadically, which is even weirder than not working at all. Right now I have 100+ photos from two important events sitting on my memory card that iphoto won't recognize. It imported about a dozen photos I took today without a problem, though. The photos are viewable from the camera. I can't recall changing any settings between taking those photos and the ones I took today. It doesn't make a difference if I plug the SD card directly into my computer; the software is still not recognizing any of the photos that are on the card. Any ideas?
Using:
Canon EOS70D
Macbook Pro with iPhoto '09

Note that on a 70D the WiFi feature must be disabled in order to transfer images to your computer via USB method.
This only applies to the cameras that have WiFi (70D & 6D).
Also, if you do shoot in RAW format, then you'll need to make sure your computer is updated with the latest Camera RAW Updates from Apple. This only applies to RAW... not JPEG. Also I noticed you mentioned iPhoto '09 ... which is rather old and made me wonder if your version of OS X might also be old. Apples Camera RAW updates are provided at the operating system level (because the same Camera RAW update is shared by Finder, Preview, iPhoto, Aperture, and anything else that might need to decode a RAW file. My point for mentioning this is that if your OS version is too old then Apple may no longer be providing updates. In that case you'd need to updgrade the OS (but Apple gives their OS upgrades away -- they don't charge for them.)
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

Iphoto won't import my pictures from CD or DVD

I've spent all day trying to import all my photos from my G5 iMac to the new MBP but so some reason it won't let me "import to Library". All the photos show up then I click FILE - IMPORT TO LIBRARY - iPhoto Library - import. It reads "unreadable Files" the following file could not be imported (the file is in iPhoto Library folder). I've been racking my brain all day and I can't face calling up Apple care for an hour of stress. I also tried loading some pictures through my Sony T1 camera and the USB don't seem to accept. This is all working perfect with my G5 iMac so is their a problem because its the latest version of OS X ?
Help me please....
Paul.

What format are the original images - jpg gif bmp ?
Try opening iPhoto and then drag the image files individually into the iPhoto window to Import ?
In iPhoto/Preferences/Advanced, have you checked "Copy files to iPhoto Library folder when adding to Library" ?
And, there seems to be a problem with that camera/OSX ...
References:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/cameras.html
http://www.macfixit.com/search.php?query=&keyType=&platform=Mac+OSX&type=&topic= &mode=search&productID=13097
http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/11/24/sonyccd/index.php

IPhoto won't import Nikon D70 raw files after upgrade to Leopard

I recently upgraded to Leopard, and yesterday, I hooked my Nikon D70 up to the computer. iPhoto auto starts, and tells me that there are pictures to import. When I click the import button, iPhoto tells me that it is importing the photos, (which are in Nikon raw format) but in fact, it is not. The photos don't "flash" across the screen as they are being imported as they used to. When iPhoto thinks it is done, there are no new photos on my hard drive. A spotlight search confirms that fact.
Jpeg photos still import just like they used to. Only raw photos don't import.
If I manually open iPhoto, and click on file then import, I can find my cameras CF card, and highlight the photos I want to import, and iPhoto will then import raw photos. It won't import them with the simple attach the camera, one click import that I have grown used to. My D70 is a supported camera for iPhoto, and it used to work in OSX 10.4. Is there a setting I'm missing somewhere?
Thanks in advance for any help offered.

I had the same prob with my mac and my D70.
I did an upgrade to leopard from tiger. After that, iPhoto would not import photos. The camera and pics would show up in the app, and would let me try an import, but it would come up with an error saying "20 photos were in an incompatible format and could not be imported".
Since upgrading to Leopard, image capture wouldn't work either. App would run and then wouldn't. Would crash and error. Wouldn't import photos at all either.
I was able to manually drag photos from my camera to the desktop and then import into iPhoto.
iPhoto wasn't the only thing playing up on my mac (networking, file permissions, backlit keyboard, software update, ffmpeg app were all problematic), so I backed up everything I wanted to keep to an external drive and did an erase and install of Leopard. This has fixed practically every problem I had. Do the same if you can, cos it has made my mac a pleasure to use again.

IPhoto won't import jpeg or gif, or any common photo types, from backup CD

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