JeremyinPDX

Q: Opening iPhoto library from a Time Machine backup in Photos

I am trying to make sure I have backups of all of the photos from my old iPhotos library (something that I can open up individual files in the Finder, not just a copy of "iPhoto Library"). I turned on my old iMac that isn't used much anymore to make copies, and when I open up "Photos" my iPhoto library isn't linked. When I hold "option" upon opening the Photos app, I see these options:

100.png

I believe I'm trying to access the old iPhoto library, so I click on that, but then I see this message:

 

101.png

 

I tried going into Disk Utility to repair permissions, but the problem persists. My next thought was to open up an old Time Machine backup and try and open the iPhoto Library from the backup, but when I do that, I see this screen:

 

103.png

 

Any suggestions on how to access my old photos? What am I doing wrong?

 

Thanks!

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), Mid 2007

Posted on Sep 25, 2016 12:56 PM

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Q: Opening iPhoto library from a Time Machine backup in Photos

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  • Helpful answers

  • by LarryHN,Helpful

    LarryHN LarryHN Sep 25, 2016 7:41 PM in response to JeremyinPDX
    Level 10 (85,205 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 25, 2016 7:41 PM in response to JeremyinPDX

    Are these old libraries or Time Machine backups? TM backups can not be directly opened, you must first use TM to restore them to disk

     

    and where are these libraries located? On the main drive or on an eternal drive? If on an EHD what format is it and how is it connected?

     

    LN

  • by JeremyinPDX,

    JeremyinPDX JeremyinPDX Sep 25, 2016 7:47 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 25, 2016 7:47 PM in response to LarryHN

    Hi Larry,

     

    Well, I first tried the old library and saw the 2nd screenshot referenced above. I then tried directly opening the Time Machine backup, which is where I got the 3rd screenshot. I guess I am always nervous to restore to a previous backup, thinking I'll lose everything between the backup I choose and the current date, but I guess it's probably not that much in this case.

     

    In response to your second question, the first backup I tried accessing is located on the actual computer's HD itself, the second one was on an external drive. That external drive is formatted as shown below:

     

    Screen Shot 2016-09-25 at 10.45.12 PM.png

     

    The only other thing I can think of, I'm not totally sure, but it is possible that I had to reformat my computer and therefore the Time Machine backups may not realize that my previous user that created the backups is the same user that is trying to access them now. I'm not sure I'm explaining that clearly, but hopefully it makes sense.

     

    Thanks!

  • by JeremyinPDX,

    JeremyinPDX JeremyinPDX Sep 28, 2016 7:28 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 28, 2016 7:28 PM in response to LarryHN

    I tried restoring from a Time Machine backup, but my oldest backup is from after Photos replaced iPhoto. Is there a way to get iPhoto back? It's completely missing from my computer now when I search for it in Spotlight, and I don't see it in the Applications folder. I was going to try and follow the instructions here (iPhoto 6 and later: Rebuilding the iPhoto library - Apple Support) to see if I could repair permissions and then access the old library in Photos by holding "option" down while launching. But it seems like I need iPhoto in order to follow these instructions. Help!?

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Sep 28, 2016 9:38 PM in response to JeremyinPDX
    Level 10 (85,205 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Sep 28, 2016 9:38 PM in response to JeremyinPDX

    To migrate an IPhoto library to Photos you drag it to the Photos icon in the dock or launch Photos while holding the option key down and open it from the resulting select library window

     

    If you own iPhoto 9.6.1 you can install it from your apps in the app store

     

    LN