I upgraded to MacOS Catalina...is there any possible way to get to my movies that were on iMovie prior to the upgrade? Unfortunately I didn't do the proper steps of converting the 32 bit prior to the upgrade. I now realize I should have done much more research before clicking the button to upgrade. I have a few movies on iMovie that I need to get to. :(
Go to your iMovie Library in the Movies folder on your Mac (Go/Home/Movies) and control-click on the iMovie Library icon. Then click on Show Package Contents. Are you projects listed there? If they are, double click on the iMovie Library icon and your iMovie app should open in that library. If iMovie doesn't open then, update iMovie to version 10.1.13 like the error message said, and try again.
-- Rich
Go to your iMovie Library in the Movies folder on your Mac (Go/Home/Movies) and control-click on the iMovie Library icon. Then click on Show Package Contents. Are you projects listed there? If they are, double click on the iMovie Library icon and your iMovie app should open in that library. If iMovie doesn't open then, update iMovie to version 10.1.13 like the error message said, and try again.
-- Rich
Perhaps there is some legacy media format in the files that is no longer compatible. Since you did not cure the issue with the File/Check Media for Compatibility option before upgrading to Catalina you still can convert the files to Mp4/AAC that iMovie likes.
Try copying, not moving, the files to your desktop. Then use a video converter like the free download, Handbrake, to convert the files to Mp4/AAC that Handbrake will do by default. You can get Handbrake here:
-- Rich
Could you give us more details as to what is happening? Have the movies disappeared from your library, and/or your projects browser view? Are the projects there but just won't open or play?
I you are still using iMovie 10.1.12, try going to File/Check Media for Compatibility and see if you can convert your legacey media. Then, If you haven't already done so, update to iMovie 10.1.13. Also, check in your Movies folder (Go/Home/Movies) and click on any other iMovie Library icons that are there to see if your projects are in that library.
-- Rich
To re-download iMovie( to the latest version) drag the iMovie application to the trash, but don't empty the trash just yet in case you need it later.
Now sign into the App Store with your Apple ID and go to your Purchased page.
I don't have Mojave or Catalina but I think the Purchased page is accessed by clicking on your account on the bottom left of the App Store.
If you see iMovie listed on the Purchased page then you can re-download from there.
This should give you iMovie ver 10.1.13
Unfortunately I cannot get into iMovie at all so I can't click into any libraries, can't even open the application. Now that I have already upgraded to MacOS Catalina, my iMovie icon now appears with a circle and line through it basically meaning its no longer accessible. When I try to click into it, I get the message that "iMovie needs to be updated. The developer of this app needs to update it to work with this version of macOS. Contact the developer for more information." I have been doing some online research and it sounds like I was supposed to have gone into iMovie and convert things prior to upgrading to Catalina. I didn't realize that until after I already did the upgrade and so far have not found any additional info on ways to get to any saved movies that I had in there. So, I figured I would reach out to this community group just in case there was any additional info. I have a feeling I may be out of luck.
Thanks for the info. I did find the Movies folder and found the movies files in there. They are .mov file type and when I click to open them, now I get the error "This file contains some media which isn’t compatible with QuickTime Player." But then I click ok and it will play the audio but no video. I have been trying to figure out how to upgrade iMovie to the 10.1.13 but I don't see an option for that. In my apps, there is no option to update iMovie. And since I can't click into iMovie, can't do anything that way either.
Thank you!!! I used Handbrake to convert two so far (converted to MP4) and they work again. I really appreciate the suggestion and the help. I am not very technical savvy (probably pretty obvious) so I really appreciate it!! I have them saved to the Movies folder on Finder. Is it best to just keep them saved there or is it recommended to save them elsewhere?
I am going to work on converting the rest and just don't want to lose them again.
I would create a Finder folder titled Movie Archives and save your movies there. That way they don’t get mixed up with your iMovie library folders, and you can move around the Movies Archives folder more easily — for example, to an external drive. You can store the Movies Archives in your Movies folder if you want.
— Rich
Catalina Upgrade - iMovie not working
