Can't repair iPhoto Library permissions for Photos!

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can't repair iPhoto Library permissions for Photos!

I think I may have read almost every thread and every article about getting Photos to import my iPhoto library. I've tried this countless times now since Photos was introduced but cannot get this to work.

When I try rebuild permissions for the iPhoto library using the hotkey-popup menu the rebuild happens in about a second. Can that be right?

The last sequence I tried was detailed here: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT203538

Used Apply permissions on Home folder, used Terminal to reset permissions, and then reinstalled OS Mojave. Still no go... that took overnight.

Can anyone, or even Apple, please help me get this process done so I can move my library and it's albums, tags etc into Photos?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.14

Posted on May 16, 2019 11:37 PM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

210,615 points

May 18, 2019 12:01 PM in response to DVoutlaw

As a test launch Photos with the Option key held down and create a new, test library. Import some photos and test to see if the same problem persists when you try to migrate it. Does it? (This tells us if the problem is limited to your current library or is more wide spread)d

You might also give this a try: Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder - Apple Support

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Answer 2

DVoutlaw Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 10, 2019 11:59 PM in response to DVoutlaw

I've finally managed to import my library into Photo using PowerPhotos https://www.fatcatsoftware.com/powerphotos/ from fat Cat Software.

Thanks to Leonie for pointing me in their direction.

Hopefully this will help other Mac users import their troublesome iPhoto libraries into Photos in future

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

197,315 points

May 24, 2019 1:59 AM in response to DVoutlaw

Is the external drive with the library compatible? You may get permission errors, if the drive is used by Time Machine.

You can try to rebuild the library with iPhoto Library Manager. iPhoto Library Manager will create a new iPhoto Library, then try to open this new Library in Photos.

rebuilding with iPhoto Library Manager has been described here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5662612?answerId=24116069022#24116069022

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Answer 4

léonie

Level 10

197,315 points

May 17, 2019 12:06 AM in response to DVoutlaw

Can you tell us more about your iPhoto Library? Where is the library stored? Is it in the Pictures folder, or is it on an external drive? Has the iPhoto Library last been used with iPhoto 9.6.1 or an older version of iPhoto? Do you still have iPhoto installed and can iPhoto open the library? How large is the iPhoto Library? DO you have more than one iPhoto Library?

When I try rebuild permissions for the iPhoto library using the hotkey-popup menu the rebuild happens in about a second. Can that be right?

Only, if the library is very small. iPhoto may be trying to repair an empty library.

How are you starting the repair? The library you are trying to repair should be the last library you have been viewing in iPhoto. Or try to select the library before you repair it.

Make a current backup copy of the iPhoto Library.
Select the iPhoto Library in the Finder
Hold down the key combination ⌥⌘ while double clicking the iPhoto Library and keep holding down the keys firmly, until you are seeing the first aid dialog. Then select the repair. Try all first aid options in turn.

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Answer 5

DVoutlaw Author

Level 1

4 points

May 17, 2019 10:47 AM in response to léonie

HI, thanks for your reply.

Yes iPhoto 9.6.1 in my Pictures folder, and it's the only Library I have. It's almost 250GB big and I've had it since iPhoto first launched so a LOT of images - it still works fine albeit a bit slow - I don' want to wake up one day and Apple have discontinued it...

I start the repair holding down those keys when clicking the iPhoto icon in the Dock. If I go through each repair step Photos still won't import the Library.

I'll do them again now for good measure.

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Answer 6

léonie

Level 10

197,315 points

May 18, 2019 8:44 AM in response to DVoutlaw

That is no good. Then your earlier attempts with clicking the Dock icon may have tried to repair a different library.

Where is your iPhoto Library? Is it in your Pictures folder? Or on an external drive? is enough free storage on the volume with the library?

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Answer 7

DVoutlaw Author

Level 1

4 points

May 18, 2019 12:03 AM in response to DVoutlaw

I held down the key combination ⌥⌘ while double clicking the iPhoto Library and it's been stuck on verifying the library for more than 24 hours.

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Answer 8

DVoutlaw Author

Level 1

4 points

May 20, 2019 11:41 PM in response to léonie

I only have one library and it's in my Pictures folder. There's 150GB free on my HD.

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Answer 9

DVoutlaw Author

Level 1

4 points

May 20, 2019 11:50 PM in response to Old Toad

Oldtimer I created a new iPhoto Library imported a few pics and it imported into Photos A-OK.

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Answer 10

Old Toad

Level 10

210,615 points

May 21, 2019 10:43 AM in response to DVoutlaw

Then the problem lies within your Photos library. Have you tried the permissions change?

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Answer 11

DVoutlaw Author

Level 1

4 points

May 23, 2019 11:30 PM in response to Old Toad

Yes - I've done the folder permissions, terminal permissions reset and now copied the Library to an external drive and done the same thing all over again. It fails on permissions errors.

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Answer 12

DVoutlaw Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 2, 2019 11:53 PM in response to léonie

Thanks I will try that app. The library on the external HD is not used by Time Machine but has been used by my MacBookPro for ages to store other files without issue.

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Can't repair iPhoto Library permissions for Photos!

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