Photo library is damaged or unreadable

Hi I can not open photo's and have this message. Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup. How do I fix?

You may be able to repair your iPhoto library by doing the following -
Make a copy of the iPhoto library first. It is located (usually) in your Pictures folder.
Launch iPhoto while holding down the option key on your keyboard.
In the resulting dialog you will see several choices to repair the library. Take them from the top down, testing after each repair to see if iPhoto will launch normally.
If this does not work, you will need to use whatever backups you have of your iPhoto library. You do have a backup I hope?
Best of luck.

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I downloaded the new iphoto to my macbook pro. Now when I open it, there is a message telling me that "your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup." What do I do I had 16,000 pictures.....PLEASE HELP!!!!!

I downloaded the new iphoto to my macbook pro. Now when I open it, there is a message telling me that "your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup." What do I do I had 16,000 pictures.....PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Try 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.

I just upgraded to Yosemite, downloaded iPhoto 9.6 and get this promptYour photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup. Suggestions?

I just upgraded to Yosemite, had to upgrade my iPhoto so downloaded iPhoto 9.6. My photo library needs to be upgraded to work with this new version of iPhoto but when it started to upgrade, this prompt appeared -Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup.
Suggestions?

Try 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.

"Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened"

"Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup."
THIS IS THE MESSAGE i just got!! i was importing photos off my digital camera.
I NEVER HAVE HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE?
And i got this message..
as far as "back up" uhhhh never did that on my I photos pictures. what can i do!?!
Ann L
LasVegas

Using iPhoto 08?
Easiest solution: restore from your back up. When you say "uhhhh never did that on my I photos pictures" then you're telling us that you don't really care about them. Only a fool has any important data on a computer without a back up.
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. (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.
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.

When trying to open iPhoto I get: "Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup."

I am trying to open iPhoto i get this message: "Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup." I don't know what to do... Please help

What happens when you restore your backup as suggested?
LN

Your photo library is damaged or unreadable

Can someone please help, my only backup (I am aware of) is possibily my Apple TV.

If you want help you’ll need to give us more information. There are 9 different versions of iPhoto and they run on 8 different versions of the Operating System. The tricks and tips for dealing with issues vary depending on the version of iPhoto and the version of the OS. So to get help you need to give as much information as you can. Include things like:
- What version of iPhoto.
- What version of the Operating System.
- Details. As full a description of the problem as you can. For example, if you have a problem with exporting, then explain by describing how you are trying to export, and so on.
- History: Is this going on long? Has anything been installed or deleted? - Are there error messages?
- What steps have you tried already to solve the issue.
- Anything unusual about your set up? Or how you use iPhoto?
Anything else you can think of that might help someone understand the problem you have.
Posts that consist of "iPhoto doesn't work. Help" or "iPhoto won't print" or "Suddenly I have no photos!!!!!!!!!!" mean that any helper is simply guessing. More information means you get better assistance.

Iphoto library is damaged or unreadable

Please help!
I just imported photos to my computer, erased originals, then read the following message on my computer "Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup." I noticed earlier today that I haven't backed up my computer in 71 days. Please tell me I haven't lost all of the photos I have imported since then.
Ideas?

Thanks so much for your help. I am planning to try your suggestions but have a few questions. When you say make a copy of my bad library, should I just use time machine with my external drive like I usually (but not in the last 71 days) do?
TM is ok but for this if you have disk space I would just duplicate the iPhoto library as an extra measure until you complete this
AS to TM - you really need to have it going all the time - it is a great tool but if you only run it once in a while it is virtually useless - the time you need it (maybe now) it will not have what you need
Also, when I rebuild as you suggested (#3), do you think my most recent photos will be there?
We have no idea - that is why you need a current backup at all times - rebuilding does what it can but sometimes it can not save some photos - the only way to find out is to do it - and that is why you need a current backup just before you do it
I just tried to "insert photo" on Word and it does show the most recently imported photos. I am just hoping I won't lose them. (I imported from 2 different cameras in the last few days.)
that is good
Again, thanks for your help. *I will be backing up on a more regular basis after this*. Learning the hard way...
YES!
LN

Iphoto upgrade examines my photo library and says its damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened.

For some reason, iphoto automatically goes to an upgrade window upon launch. I believe I still have iPhoto 09 but since it won't launch i can't check that out. But it was created on 3/13/09 and last modified on 9/20/10...so I'm sure it's still the 09 (or is the 08?) version.
At any rate, when I launch iPhoto I automatically arrive at an upgrade window (which tells me that after upgrade my photo library will not be readable by previous versions of iphoto - OK, fine, I hit the upgrade button). Right after I hit the upgrade button, I see that my photo library is being examined. Which results in a message telling me that my photo library is damaged or unreadable and must be restored.
OK, I go to Time Machine and restore the latest. After restore, I see all the files. But when I launch iphoto, hit the upgrade button, it again examines the library and finds it unreadable. I've done this several time now.
Now what?
Thanks, Jim

Well that's a Catch-22 isn't it. You can't open the Library but need to for the rebuild.
Coupled with the dodgy back-up I think your only option now is to create a new Library, recover the photos and start over.
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.

IPhoto crashed after uploading photos. Tried restart but crashed again. Message that library is damaged. I don't have a backup. How to restore library?

I uploaded new photos and put into albums. When I tried to open album, iPhoto shut down. Got error message and clicked on reopen. Tried again and it happened again. When I opened it again it said there was damage and offered a button to restore. I clicked it and then got this: "Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup." Help, no backup. Is there any way to recover the library?

1 - you really must ahve a backup - without one it is just a matter of time until you lose all of your files including your photos - bad things happen, hopefully this is not the time but it will happen sooner or later - purchase a large hard drive (2 1/2 times the size of yoru main drive) that is formatted Mac OS extended (journaled) and start runnint Time Machine so youwill have hourly backps
2 - start by rebuilding - backup your iPhoto library, depress and hold the command and options keys, launch iPhoto and rebuild yoru database
LN

When I open iphoto I get an error message that says Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable,

when I open iphoto I get an error message that says Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable, I have tried restarting computer and opening iphoto whilst holding down option and command key, but then I get the following message-Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup. Please can anyone help?

Make a back up now. If you have any vaule in Your photos always have a back up.
Most Simple Back Up
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex:
Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically. Examples of such apps: Chronosync or DejaVu . But are many others. Search on MacUpdate
In Library Manager the Rebuild command is under the File menu. There's also an excellent Help available.
Regards
TD

Updated iPhoto to v1.1 and now library is damaged?

I just updated my iPhoto to the newest software update - v1.1. However, when I open iPhoto now I keep getting the prompt "Your photo library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup". Does anyone know why this is happening? Worst is that I did NOT do a backup before I updated iPhoto.
I've been trying to restore my thumbnails, checking my permissions, etc and the prompt continues to come up. Please help!!

Try quitting iPhoto for iOS and restarting it.
Go to the Home screen and double click the Home button. That will reveal the row of recently used apps at the bottom of the screen. Tap and hold on the app in question until it wiggles and displays a minus sign. Tap the minus sign to actually quit the app. Then tap anywhere on the screen above that bottom row to return the screen to normal. Then restart the app and see if it works normally.
Try to reboot your iPad.
Press and hold the Home and Sleep buttons simultaneously ignoring the red slider until the Apple logo appears. Let go of the buttons and let the iPad restart. See if that fixes your problem.

Photo library damaged; cannot be upgraded

When I open iphoto, an pop-up says photo library must be upgraded to work with this version (6.0.5). When I click "ok", it says "Photo library is damaged and cannot be upgraded". I tried rebuilding, using the alt and command buttons when opening iphoto, but get the same pop-up.
How can I repair the photo library so version 6.0.5 can upgrade it?

jmc200:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. First download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, putting your administartive name in the owner and group sections. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field. See if that will help.
Next launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys depressed and follow the instructions to rebuild the library. Select the first three options.
Do you Twango?
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 written 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. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

IPhoto library damaged or unreadable

I have not made any changes or updates to my MAC and started getting a message in my iPhoto app that the library was damaged or unreadable to restore from a back up. What do I need to do? I do not want to lose the pictures and slideshows that have been created.

What to do?
Uh, restore from a backup?
You can try repairing the iPhoto database. Hold down the Option + Command key while launching iPhoto. Try each option in turn, checking after each repair I fit helped.

IPhoto 9.3 - all libraries damaged and unreadable (and un-rebuildable)

Since the update to the 9.3 version of iPhoto NONE of my previous libraries can be opened. I had always updated iPhoto at each update in the past, but it has never happened something like this.
Every library I try to open, it gives me the following error: "your iphoto library is damaged or unreadable and cannot be opened. Please restore from a backup".
I tried to repair the libraries in many ways, as suggested in other posts on the support website (e.g. using PhotoLibraryManager or with the Rebuild function of iPhoto itself), but none of them worked.
I have backups in time machine, but none of them works even if restored.
If I try to create a new library, it forces me to create it with the extension .photolibrary, which never happened before and sound quite strange (and may be an hint for the problem)...
Any idea?
Thank you in advance.

You can start over with a new library and import the originals from your problem library into it. It will give you the same Events (but not all events will have the same event name) but no albums or keepsakes, keywords, places, faces or other metadata.
Here's how:
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. Open the library package like this.
2. Launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and, when asked, select the option to create a new library.
3. Drag the Originals (iPhoto 09 and earlier) or the Masters (iPhoto 11) folder from the open iPhoto Library package into the open iPhoto window.
Click to view full size
This will create a new library with the same Events (but not necessarily the same Event names) as the original library but will not keep the metadata, albums, books slideshows and other projects.
Note: your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
OT

When i open iPhoto it says my photo library is unreadable and will not open. How can i fix this without losing my photos?

"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."
How do i solve this problem? Dpes rebuilding your photo library delete all your photos? I have thousands of photos with no back up HELP!!

Well if you have no back up you need to make a back up now. It might be too late, but you're not going to know until you fix this.
Most Simple Back Up:
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex: Use an app that will do incremental back ups. This is a very good way to work. The first time you run the back up the app will make a complete copy of the Library. Thereafter it will update the back up with the changes you have made. That makes subsequent back ups much faster. Many of these apps also have scheduling capabilities: So set it up and it will do the back up automatically.
Example of such apps: Chronosync - but there are many others. Search on MacUpdate or the App Store
Then try:
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

Photo library is damaged or unreadable

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