My time machine backup does not include my photo ilibrary

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Level 1

8 points

My time machine backup does not include my photo ilibrary

My time machine backup says Photo Library but will not open for me to check that they are there. IMAC Catalina I only do Manual Backups monthly.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 19, 2020 10:31 AM

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Answer 1

steve626

Level 6

13,791 points

Sep 19, 2020 10:43 AM in response to KC5292

KC5292 wrote:

From actual backup. First says it is locked. I ask to repair and it does. Then says not available.

I suggest that you update the backup. Then restore the library somewhere and try to check that the restored copy works properly. I don't think you can directly open the library in a Time Machine backup.

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

157,896 points

Sep 19, 2020 10:43 AM in response to KC5292

You will not be able to access it from the Photos app directly from the backup itself. You will need to restore it first. Alternatively, you can try copying the Photos Library from the backup to another drive, and then, access it from the app.

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Answer 3

KC5292 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 19, 2020 10:55 AM in response to Tesserax

That is why i have always done a separate copying of my photos to an XHD. Then I can see the actual photo to make sure it is there and can always retrieve one photo if desired rather than restoring the entire library.

I was hoping there was a way to do that with Time Machine and still have the flexibility per above.

Thanx to all for your responses.

KC Whaley

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