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Q: Unable to import iPhoto library to Photos

My iPhoto library is 485GB and I am attempting to import that library into the Apple Photos program. When I attempt to import the iPhoto library from Photos using the import tool within the Photos application, the iPhoto library is greyed out and I am unable to select it for import.

 

If I browse to my iPhoto library file, right click it and choose open with Photos, I get the following error message:

 

Cannot open migrated library

"The content of the iPhoto library “iPhoto Library” has already been migrated to Photos.  Open Photos to view your library or use a compatible version of iPhoto to open this iPhoto library."

 

I am confused on why it thinks thats my iPhoto library has already been imported into Photos when it hasn't.

 

I have even deleted the default Photos library, reopened the Photos application and tried to browse to my iPhoto library, which was greyed out again. And after deleting my default Photos library if I browse to my iPhoto library file and right click it and choose open with Photos, I get the same error message.

 

In an attempt to troubleshoot, I rebooted the Mac into recovery mode and reset the permissions on my hard drive to be sure there were no permissions issues and this had no effect.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks!

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on May 31, 2015 3:52 PM

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Q: Unable to import iPhoto library to Photos

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  • by kshafer,

    kshafer kshafer Aug 18, 2015 7:55 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 18, 2015 7:55 PM in response to Old Toad

    this didn't work for me, appears it rebuilt the photo's library and not the iPhoto one I copied over.  Any solutions for this?  My wife has 80,000+ photos that are only visible on her old mac.  I copied the photo library file, 230GB, to her new MacBook Pro with the following errors.

     

    Running Yosemite on both machines

     

    iPhoto library upgrader wouldn't show the photo library file on her new MacBook Pro as well as the 500GB USB drive.  The file is greyed out on the USB drive.

     

    Double clicking on the Photo Library file or dragging it to the Photos program, gives the following error "Cannot Open Migrated Library:  The content of the iPhoto library “iPhoto Library” has already been migrated to Photos.  Open Photos to view your library or use a compatible version of iPhoto to open this iPhoto library."

     

    I've seen mentioned one must reinstall the 9.6.1 iPhoto program, but I can't find it.

     

    iPhoto is still on my wife's new MacBook Pro, but when you try to run it, you get the message "In order to open “iPhoto”, you need to update to the latest version.  The version of iPhoto installed on this Mac is not compatible with OS X Yosemite. Download the latest version for free from the Mac App Store."

     

    Searching the App Store provides no answers.

     

    Help, my wife loves her Mac, but is starting to hate it.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 19, 2015 10:01 AM in response to kshafer
    Level 10 (141,552 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 19, 2015 10:01 AM in response to kshafer
    iPhoto is still on my wife's new MacBook Pro, but when you try to run it, you get the message "In order to open “iPhoto”, you need to update to the latest version.  The version of iPhoto installed on this Mac is not compatible with OS X Yosemite. Download the latest version for free from the Mac App Store."

     

    Follow the directions posted by Tererence Devlin in this post:

    Terence Devlin

    Apr 14, 2015 11:21 AM

    Re: Is Iphoto gone ? i want it back!

    in response to Johannes666

    Recommended

     

    Go to the App Store and check out the Purchases List. If iPhoto is there then it will be v9.6.1

     

    If iPhoto 9.6.1 is there, close the App Store, drag your existing iPhoto app (not the library, just the app) to the trash and then go back to the App Store.

     

    Install the App from the App Store.

     

    Sometimes iPhoto is not visible on the Purchases List. it may be hidden. See this article for details on how to unhide it.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4928

     

    One question often asked: Will I lose my Photos if I reinstall?

     

    iPhoto the application and the iPhoto Library are two different parts of the iPhoto programme. So, reinstalling the app should not affect the Library. BUT you should always have a back up before doing this kind of work. Always.

  • by gis.,

    gis. gis. Dec 12, 2015 12:57 PM in response to Old Toad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 12, 2015 12:57 PM in response to Old Toad

    Just had the same problem, after choosing for a fresh osx install + migrating photoslibrary & migratediphotolibrary to my mac..

     

    I had trouble finding iPhoto in my Mac App Store, specifically finding the Unhide-function.. maybe that only exists if you ever bought and hid that purchase

    However, Apple still has an iPhoto installer on its official website! Just click the link below, et voila!

     

    edit: nope, doesn't work. I removed the link. The installer i've found was an updater, so it needs a previous of iPhoto to be installed. Older versions are also all updates, so that won't fix it. Conclusion: i need to dig up my iLife disk somewhere.. 

     

    Update: Don't use the search function in the Mac App Store, scroll thoroughly through your list of (hidden) purchases. For me, it was there all along.. not even hidden after all.

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Dec 12, 2015 12:48 PM in response to gis.
    Level 10 (141,552 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 12, 2015 12:48 PM in response to gis.

    However, Apple still has an iPhoto installer on its official website! Just click the link below, et voila!

     

    https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1608?locale=en_US

    That's just an updater file. It needs some an earlier  version of iPhoto 9 to be present in order for it to work. 

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