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.

Similar Messages

  • 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. 

  • "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

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable, Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable

    i can't open iphoto , i got this message :"Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable" , i don't have anything to backup their my photos and because of that i scared to repiar the iphoto i don't want all my photos will be deleted help me please what should i do?

    First Make a back up.  Get something. You need it. To say that you are worried about your photos but don't have a back up is to contradict yourself.
    Then:
    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

  • I have my iPhoto set to an external drive yesterday when it was in use the usb disconnected i now have a message saying (your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable) I have tried shutting down and restarting.

    I have my iPhoto set to an external drive, when it was in use the usb disconected as i was moving my mac air, when i re-conected a message said (your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable).
    I have tried shutting it down and then re opening iPhoto but get the same message.
    The reason for the external drive was there was not enough room on my hard drive, I have around 7000 photos on it.
    is there a simple fix?
    Regards
    Dale

    These are your options:
    1. Restore the iPhoto library from the most recent backup that predates the issue.
              Advantages: Always works, if library damage is causing the problem and the backup is intact.
              Disadvantages: Impossible if you don't have a backup. All changes made since the backup are lost.
    2. Repair or rebuild the library. Be sure to back it up first.
              Advantages: May solve the problem with no loss of data.
              Disadvantages: May fail. May take a long time if the library is large.
    3. Scavenge the library with a third-party application called "iPhoto Library Manager," which you can find in a web search. From the application's menu bar (not the iPhoto menu bar), select Library ▹ Rebuild.
              Advantages: All images and albums should be preserved.
              Disadvantages: All books, calendars, and slideshows will be lost.

  • Suddenly iPhoto gives me the error message "your photo library is either in use by another app or has become unreadable".  HELP

    Suddenly iphoto gives me error message 'your photo library is either in use by another app or has become unreadable'.  What can I do?

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

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

    Try this:  launch iPhoto with the Option key held down and create a new, test library.  Import some photos and check to see if the same problem persists. If you can create and use a new library then your current library is damaged.
    If that's the case make a temporary, backup copy (if you don't already have a backup copy) of the library and apply the two fixes below in order as needed:
    Fix #1
    Launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down and rebuild the library.
    Select the options identified in the screenshot. 
    Fix #2
    Using iPhoto Library Manager  to Rebuild Your iPhoto Library
    Download iPhoto Library Manager and launch.
    Click on the Add Library button, navigate to your Home/Pictures folder and select your iPhoto Library folder.
    Now that the library is listed in the left hand pane of iPLM, click on your library and go to the File ➙ Rebuild Library menu option
    In the next  window name the new library and select the location you want it to be placed.
    Click on the Create button.
    Note: This creates a new library based on the LIbraryData.xml file in the library and will recover Events, Albums, keywords, titles and comments but not books, calendars or slideshows. The original library will be left untouched for further attempts at fixing the problem or in case the rebuilt library is not satisfactory.
    OT

  • Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable. How do I fix this?

    Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable. How do I fix this?

    Option 1
    Back Up and try rebuild the library: hold down the command and option (or alt) keys while launching iPhoto. Use the resulting dialogue to rebuild. Choose to 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 do I re-open and get back into my iPhoto if this message appears: "Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable"? What do I do?

    How do I re-open and get back into my iPhoto if this message appears: "Your photo library is either in use by another application or has become unreadable"? What do I do?

    Rebuild your iPhoto Library:
    iPhoto 6 and later: Rebuilding the iPhoto library

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

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

    Try to restart your Mac. If the library is really in use by another application, that can clear it.
    Tell us more about your system. Which version of iPhoto are you using? Which version of MacOS X?
    Where are you storing your iPhoto Library?
    What happened before this problem first started? Did iPhoto crash? Did you move the iPhoto Library somewhere else?
    Try Terence Devlin's fix here:   Re: IPHOTO LOCKED
    Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.
    Look there for a file called ‘iPhoto’Lock.data or similar. Drag it to the Desktop. Make no other changes. Start iPhoto. Does that help?

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