Cannot open Photos library after upgrading to Big Sur

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Cannot open Photos library after upgrading to Big Sur

I am using a 2017 iMac. After updating to Big Sur, when I opened Photos, the app tried to "Updating the library". It only got to 1% after 30 seconds, then an error message popped up (see below):

Then, I tried to hold down "option + command" to repair the library first. Below is what I got:

or this:

Context:

My Photos library is around 600 Gb (pretty big)
library location is not in the default location. I have it in a different folder, but still in the internal hard drive. I tried copying that to the default location. Same error messages.
I have LOTS of albums, folders, edits...etc. I really don't want to lose that. So, I haven't tried building a new library with the "masters" folder in the library yet, as I know I will lose everything I did in the past 18 years.

Running out of ideas. Please help!!

Posted on Dec 17, 2020 8:57 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 18, 2020 3:38 PM in response to timfly1

First - If you don't already have a backup of the library (pre upgrade) take one now. And then make sure you have a good frequent backup process in place.

second - after you've done that, it might be worth trying a library repair by holding down the option key while starting photos.

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Answer 2

timfly1 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 18, 2020 7:12 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Thanks Matti. I still don't understand how that happens. It's not like the Photos library is corrupted. It's just the Big Sur Photos has troubles updating it or reading it or opening it. Using a backup copy of the Photos library probably won't help neither.

Is it a common problem with Big Sur? Do we just need to wait for Apple to release an update to fix that bug????

I am trying to avoid re-creating a new Photos Library with the original masters. All the edits and organization will be gone. =(

Anything else I should try?

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Answer 3

timfly1 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 18, 2020 5:12 PM in response to TonyCollinet

Hi Tony,

Thank you. I do have a regular backup process in place and I did try the repair step. It still didn't work. Please see my original post for the screenshot of the message I got. I am just wondering if it's purely a Big Sur problem and the only option I have is to wait for Apple to provide a bug fix.

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Answer 4

Dec 18, 2020 12:01 AM in response to timfly1

Restore from a backup!? If that is not possible, some quick ideas: Safe-boot clears some caches but I guess that won't help here. Or try opening with the previous (what?) Photos version (after installing that previous macOS on an external disk) although I guess that won't work after Big Sur has touched it. If all else fails, restore from the original masters inside the library package...

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Cannot open Photos library after upgrading to Big Sur

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