Recovery of iphoto library

I hope someone can help me out there. I was cleaning up some files on my Mac and inadvertantly deleted the iphotos library folder from my pictures folder on the hard drive. I've searched all over and have not yet found any advice with regards to how I might recover these precious memories. Both my picture file and iphoto was wiped clean. And as you can probably guess, I wasn't smart enough to make a back up of all of my pictures.
G4 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

healinghands
1. Stop using your computer - specifically, stop saving documents until you resolve this issue. It only raises the risk that the files will be overwritten
2. Download File Salvage and let it search your disk for recoverable files. It won't get your library back, but you have some hope of finding the pics themselves.
Regards
TD

Similar Messages

Recovery of iPhoto library or pictures

Hi, I am trying it either rebuild the iPhoto library or recover the photos in it as all appear blank,thumbnails as well as pictures, and I have tried the first aid options without success ( rebuild permissions, rebuild database, etc). Thanks for your help !

Sorry but you're not clear and contradicting yourself:
but when I open it it tells me it needs to be updated to run on the current version of iPhoto,
and
No message,
If that Library is a year old, and if you have iPhoto 9.5, then it will tell you that you need to download an updater.
Try 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 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

How to recover iphoto library from recovery mode

My macbook pro suddenly went on Utility Disk Mode and can only be accessed through recovery mode. I cannot even view the files. I'm willing to let everything go except for the photos and videos in the iphoto library. I don't know how to access my photos on icloud and when I did, it was just my iphone's photos that are there. is there any way I can view my photos in my locked macintosh hd in other devices or computer?

Thanks for the response BDAqua, I did use Migration Assistant to transfer her data from the SuperDuper backup. Are you suggesting that I use Migration Assistant to transfer data from the Time Machine backup? Will that result in duplication? Sorry, but I've no experience at all with Time Machine backups and don't know whether you can 'pick and choose' what to restore from the Time Machine using Migration Assistant.
Cheers
Tricia

IPhoto Library -Recovery Possible

Hello-
Yesterday my hard drive on my iMac died. Which ws unfortunate. What is more unfortunate is that it died while backing up my iPhoto library.
So now on the back-up disk the iPhoto library is a fraction of it's old size and only contains a few photos (i looked on a friends mac) is there anyway to recover the old iPhoto library before this botched back-up ? I'm assuming the pictures are still somewhere on the back-up drive, but they can't be seen.
Please let me know.

Without the Originals I'm afraid you're out of luck.
I'm sorry but I don't understand the rest of your post.
I'm guessing that you have a back up on this drive, and attempted to make a new back up by dragging the Library +on top of+ the existing back up. Is this the case?
Your next move is to try an file recovery utility such as File Salvage to scan the disk to see what is recoverable. This will do the scan without needing you to purchase, however, actual recovery will require that you buy.
Set it to scan for jpegs or whatever format your camera uses.
In the event of different versions of the same photo being found *always choose the largest filesize* - that has the best chance of being the original file.
Regards
TD

IPhoto library recovery

Hello,
I succeeded to delete my iPhoto library on my iMac but also the two backups of it !
Meanwhile I sold my iMac, but I have still the USB-stick were one backup WAS stored.
Is it possible to restore it and get my photo's back?
Kind regards,
Nans

I found a solution in the Mac App Store !
It just call 'Data Recovery'
http://www.Softtote.com/
So this case can be closed.
Nans

Rebuilding iphoto library after data recovery

Recently lost my HD with 500G of photos. Luckily, I had a few means of recovering these files.
Data was recovered via 3 sources:
(1) Time Machine backup for most of it
(2) Online backup service (CrashPlan)
(3) CF cards
Good news is I recovered probably 99% of the photos and videos and just a very small amount that still being backed up through the online service could not be recovered.
The question is: what is the optimal way to re-integrate the CrashPlan files into iPhoto since they are primarily Master and Preview files of some of my most recent uploads? Also, there are many Preview files that do not have a corresponding matching Master file, probably because the HD crashed before CrashPlan could back up the Master counterpart.
(Recognizing a total library restore is an option, I opted not to fully restore the CrashPlan backup from the iPhoto library level in the file structure due to the extensive amount of time it would take and the fact that at least 90% of the underlying data is duplicative of the Time Machine backup.)
I am wary of just doing a bulk import of the thousands of Master and Preview files, many of which have identical file names, seemingly a product of the way iPhoto likely breaks down imported images into files under various folders for various reasons. I was considering importing the files by first bringing in the Master files and then only importing those non-duplicative files under Previews - but figured I'd check the board for better ideas or downsides to doing it this way.
On a separate note, my MOV files pretty much universally fail to upload as an unrecognized file format for whatever reason.
15" MBP 2009, OS X 10.9.4, iPhoto 9.5.1, 8G RAM, 256G SSD, 1T HD,

the answer is to restore the latest TM backup and it will have everything in it - why are you messing with the other sources?
the only way to "reintegrate" any photos into iPhoto is to import them into a good, working iPhoto library using iphoto to import them - importing selecting ignore duplicates is pretty good but not perfect
And it it good to import in small batches - small depends on many things including available HD space and free RAM - generally batches to 500 or smaller is good
CrashPlan is not a good backup - it it (as you found) far too slow to restore and even then tests have shown that the iPhoto library does not restore well from any Cloud backup
LN

I inadvertently trashed my Iphoto library. Can it be retrieved like in Windows, you just go to a prior saved recovery point? It wasn't securely trashed, just trashed.

I inadvertently trashed my Iphoto library. Can I retrieve it, like one can restore to an earlier time period on Windows? I trashed it but I did not use secure trash.

if you are running Time Machine - launch it and go back to the time you want, select the iPhoot library and click restore
Step 1 - launch Time Machine (either click on it in the DOCK or double click on it in the applications folder)
Step 2 - in the resulting window (which looks like a finder window) go back in time to when your iPhoto library had not been trashed
Step 3 - select the iPhoto library at that time (by default it is in your pictures folder)
Step 4 - Click on "RESTORE" and restore the iPhoto library from before it was trashed
Step 5 launch iPhoto (click on iPhoto in the DOCK or double click on it in the applications folder)
You do not copy or directly access the TM backup - as noted you use TM to restore the iPhoto library
Additionally, I would assume that I should start from scratch. Access and delete/trash all the pictures that I've since imported from a disk that I had save them too a year ago, in effect leave Iphoto empty before attempting any restore/import of the file, if possible. Yes?
No do not delete anything until this is all sorted out - and if you restore properly you certainly will not have to start over
LN

Corrupt iphoto library recovery

Recently my iMac went to the Genius bar for repair. I purchased a hard drive in store and we made a backup of what I needed to subsequently recover and all seemed to backup OK. With the Mac back from repair I started to rebuild my iMac to pre-failure state and all went like a dream until I tried to re-install the iPhoto library. It tells me that the files require conversion and just won't seem to accept the backed up library and indicates that it is corrupt - is there anything I can do or have I lost my entire photo library? Grateful for any advice.

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. Things like:
- What version of iPhoto.
- What version of the Operating System.
- Can you give us the exact error messages?

Can't reload iPhoto library from Time Machine

I ran into a problem with my iPhoto library this morning. I deleted it in its entirely, emptied iPhoto trash and then the general trash. When I tried to reinstall the iPhoto library from Time Machine, I was informed there was not sufficient free space on my hard drive to do so. I have a 500 GB hard drive and dumped over 4,000 pictures, yet had only 6 GB of space reported on my hard drive when I went to reload the library from Time Machine. I can't see how this is possible. I had sufficient space for the original library before I trashed it. According to the Information under File, I have pretty much the same amount of free space on my computer as I had before I dumped the library. I have run utilities (OnyX and Apple utilities). They identify no disk problems or problems of any kind. I've scanned for viruses. There are none. Does anyone have any ideas about what I can do to restore my library other than buy a new computer?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Computer: early 2008
Software: OSX 10.9.5

Reboot and check the free space again. If still at 6 GB Boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down), select Disk Utility and repair both the disk permissions and disk. Reboot normally and check again.
Lastly you may have to reindex your hard drive: Spotlight: How to re-index folders or volumes - Apple

How to fix lost connections to original high-resolution pictures in iPhoto and how to import an iPhoto Book from one iPhoto library to another

Hi there,
I am using a MBP Pro with 8 GB cache and 1 TB HDD from beginning of 2011 with OS X Yosemite and iPhoto version 9.6 (910.29).
I created an iPhoto Book to print which contains my best pictures of 2013 and 2014. Then I got an error message when I wanted to print the book, saying (translated from German):
Book could not be created.
With photo p233432343.jpg there was an error. The original version of that photo with full resolution could not be found or is damaged. Please replace the photo or delete it from your book.
When I enquired further, I found out, that many, many pictures in my iPhoto library have that problem - only the thumbnail picture is found by iPhoto, but not the one with the high resolution. When looking at the photos in detail one sees that they are not sharp because obviously the photo book only refers to the thumbnail. When I went into the iPhoto Library using Finder, I saw that the original high res photos are still there. As there are an estimated 3000 photos with a lost connection (some still have, it but about 1/2 of my photos don´t), it does not make sense to import those photos manually. This photo book is just the tip of the iceberg, so to say.
Then I looked for solutions in some forums. I had two lPhoto libraries, one on my HDD (120GB) and one on an external HDD (175GB). Assuming there might be problems, I have deleted (moved) the one on my HDD, because the "right one" is the one on my external HDD and started iPHoto again using the alt key. But that did not work either.
I then tried to repair my iPhoto library using iPhoto Library Manager, and merged and rebuilt libraries. The library that came out was crap - all folders that had lost connections to the high resolution pictures now have zero photos in it. Also it is lacking the projects, including the photo book I created.
Then I went to find out if there is a way to import the iphoto book project from the old, corrupt library into the new, repaired library but could not find anything. It can only be exported as a file structure or website. As the file structure is missing the high res pictures, that does not even solve the "little" problem of the photobook.
I would REALLY appreciate your help on the two questions:
1- Can you advise what I need to to do to to get the connection to the high resolution photos established again ? As it is more than 3000 photos, I use an automated way of reestablishing that connection. Probably an answer to this question would make question 2 irrelevant.
2- Do you know if there is a way to export and import a book project created in iPhoto from one library to another ?

1 - Select the thumbnail of one of the problem photos and use the File ➙ Reveal in Finder ➙ Original menu option. This will take you to the folder containing the original file with that file selected by the Finder.
You can also use Find Any File to search for that file (get the file name from the Info pane in iPhoto). You will find the thumbnail version and maybe an edited version also. Made sure what is found is the large, original version and note were it's located. Search all of your drives with FAF just in case.
If you don't fine the full sized version then the only recourse is to use a file recovery application like SubrosaSoft FileSalvage on your drives to see if any of your full sized photos can be recovered. If you find enough files to make the purchase of the software worthwhile buy it and recover the files. However, since it may have been quite a while since you discovered the missing originals it seems unlikely you'll be able to recover any due to being overwritten.
2 - book projects are just entries in the library databases and can't be exported to another library.

How do I find my old iPhoto Library? It disappeared.

Hello,
iPhoto was frozen for a few days (it wouldn't move past the grey, loading screen). I forced it to a quit a couple times to no avail. I finally updated my software from the Apple drop down box and the computer restarted. After it restarted, it said that it needed an iPhoto Library and therefore I needed to make/name a new one. I assumed it would still keep my photos and I was just renaming it b/c of the software update. Not at all. It is a brand new library, neither my old one OR my 1600 pictures are nowhere to be found.
I used spotlight, finder, searched for named photos/events, searched our users, hard drive, just about everything. I have also tried to rebuild the libaray, it only rebuilds the few new photos I recently imported onto the new library from an iphone. It does not rebuild or bring back any of 1600 photos from my old library. I have also tried pressing command and option to choose a different libaray for default, but my old one is nowhere to be found.
Honestly I'm pretty lost. I don't know how anyone could've "accidently" deleted 1600 photos that quickly. Is there a virus that just targets iPhoto? My MacBookPro and all of my other programs (Skype, Word, iTunes, etc.) work completely fine.
Obviously, I think this all happened during the software update. Could iPhoto have saved my 1600 photos in some type of locked format that I can't access?
PLEASE HELP. I have NO backup and am just about at my wits end. I do not want to lose 1600, irreplaceable photos.

I'm afraid the most likely explanation is that some inadvertently overwrote or deleted the iPhoto Library.
As you have no backup you're only hope now is file recovery software like File Salvage

How do I find a missing iPhoto library on my MacBook Pro?

When my computer crashed, I bought a new laptop and was able to use data rescue 3 to recover my iPhoto library so on my new laptop I have the old one and also a new blank library where I don't store any photos. I know I should have backed all my photos up but I haven't and now I don't see the library with all my pictures anywhere on my computer. When I try to "switch library" it only shows the blank one. Is there a way to retrieve/find the library I am looking for?

and was able to use data rescue 3 to recover my iPhoto library so on my new laptop
I'm not sure that this is actually possible. Apps like Data Rescue are very good for recovering files, but and iPhoto Library isn't a file. It's a rather complex ecosystem of interlocking files, folders, databases and metadata. I believe that data recovery apps can recover the files, but not the ecosystem and after using such apps you need to make a new library and start over from scratch. Therefore, when recovering photos it's important to always choose the largest file size as that has the best chance of being the original file.
now I don't see the library with all my pictures anywhere on my computer.
Where are you looking? How?
When I try to "switch library" it only shows the blank one.
This would tend to support me belief, above.

A photo found in the iPhoto library that was not imported

Every time I open iPhoto, I receive a message saying "A photo has been found in the iPhoto library that was not imported. Would you like to import it?" If I select yes, a box pops up saying "Unreadable file. The file was not imported, the file was missing." and then the photo's path. If I select no, the photo gets placed in a recovery file. I can see the photo in the recovery file, it is a photo that I locked (and maybe marked hidden - if you can even do both). I've tried to go into my iPhoto and unhide photos so that I can unlock the original...I've also tried unlocking the photo in the recovered file. I've tried deleting the photo in the recovery file as well...I can unlock it in Finder and delete it, but (with my limited knowledge of computers) I've determined that I must only be deleting a copy. Where is the original...I'd like to delete it. I don't even need this pic anymore and it is SERIOUSLY IRRITATING ME every time I open iPhoto. And that's often, as I'm always taking pics of my little one. TIA!!!!! Sara

Sara
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?
Regards
TD

Copying saved iphoto library from external hard drive back to Macbook Pro

Please help, I have accidentally managed to permanently delete my iphoto library and by this I mean that I somehow dragged my library into trash and then emptied it. I don't know how this happend but I quite quickly found out I had done it and shut my computer down. I have since done a recovery with disk drill and have hopefully recovered most of my photos though I havent had time to look through all the 1000's of photos yet. I do have a copied version of my library on an external hard drive that I did in 2012 and I have tried to copy this library back to my pictures folder so i at least have my photos up to 2012 back but it is not working. I have read through some of the threads on here regarding iphoto library back ups and I think the issue might be that the external hard drive is formatted Fat32 and not os extended.
I am hoping someone can help me get this working. Here are the facts.
1. I am running iphoto 11, version 9.2.3 on a macbook pro running os x 10.6.8
2. The copied iphoto library is on an external hard drive that is fat32 formatted. I can open the package contents and see the originals folder with all the yearly folders inside and all the numbered folders inside that with the pictures in them, so I know the pictures are there.
3. If I try to copy the library folder over to the pictures folder on the macbook i just get a pop up window saying 'preparing to copy iphoto library' and the scrolling bar but the copy doesn't actually start.
4. If I try to open the library through iphoto by holidng down the option key, iphoto tells me that the library has to be upgraded but i am reluctant to upgrade the original copy of the library. I would prefer to copy it first in case anything goes wrong but then i have the problem above that the copy doesn't work
Thank you in advance for any help.

The copied iphoto library is on an external hard drive that is fat32 formatted.
Therein lies the problem. iPhoto libraries need to be stored, placed on a disk formatted OS X Extended (journaled). The FAT format doesn't support the complexity of an iPhoto library and can, and more often than not, corrupt a library.
Try the following:
Using iPhoto Library Manager to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
1 - download the free version of iPhoto Library Manager and launch.>Click on the Add Library button,
2 - select the library you want to add from those in the selection window.
3 - make sure that in the rebuild window the checkbox "Scavange orphaned photos" is checked.
4 - now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the Library ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
5 - in the next window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed, i.e. in the Pictures folder of your MBP. Click on the Create button.
Note 1: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments. However, books, calendars, cards and slideshows will be lost.
Note 2: Your current library will be left untouched for further attempts at a fix if so desired.
OT

Can the iPhoto Library package file be recreated?

I recently moved my iPhoto library to a new LaCie solid state external hard drive, because it had reached 130GB in size and was taking up too much space on my hard drive. My iPhoto library has 30,000 photos with lots of events, smart albums and metadata (faces, keywords, etc.). Unfortunately the external hard drive failed and I had to pay for data recovery services. When I got the external hard drive back, the Masters folders were all there with my photos, but the iPhoto Library package file seems to be missing. Is there anyway to recreate the iPhoto Library package to include all the files AND the associated metadata?
I found instructions on how to start from scratch by importing the Masters...but this method does not retain metadata. Any ideas would be really appreciated. Worst case scenario, I can go back to a Time Machine back-up from June 2014 and use that as a starting point, but I'd much rather not have to take that route.

but the iPhoto Library package file seems to be missing.
You cannot recreate the iphoto library package from your Masters folder. It is an intricate web of linked files. Use your most recent backup as a starting point, and then add the newer files from your recovered Masters folder.

Recovery of iphoto library

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