Can't copy old photo library from old external hard drive to new hard drive. Says I don't have permission?

I have an old Time Capsule that I have used as a basic external hard drive for the last few years. I recently purchased a newer hard drive and I want to move all my stuff to the new hard drive. I have several older photo libraries and the system won't let me copy them to IMAC or new hard drive. It keeps saying I don't have permission. I've had this IMAC for years and I have used the same user account (as admin) for ever. I have gone to "get info" and the libraries are set to EVERYONE as read/write. Even still, it keeps saying I don't have permission to move the file. I can still open the photo libraries in Photos and everything else seems to be ok. I don't know what else to do. Please help me move these photo libraries to my new hard drive.

Posted on Jul 2, 2023 11:32 AM

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7 replies

Jul 4, 2023 7:59 AM in response to clandherr

Hello clandherr,


First, please ensure the library in Photos on Mac has been backed up successfully before making changes. This page will guide you through that process, to confirm your content has been backed up successfully: Back up the library in Photos on Mac


If you receive an error when trying to move the Photos Library, please check out this link, which will help guide you through what to do to try and resolve the issue: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac


If you get an error when moving Photos Library

1. Select your external storage device in the Finder, then choose File > Get Info. 
2. If the information under Sharing & Permissions isn't visible, click the triangle  to see more.
External Drive Info window with "Ignore ownership on this volume" selected
3. Make sure that the “Ignore ownership on this volume” checkbox is selected. To change it, you might first have to click the lock button  to unlock the setting. If the storage device isn't formatted correctly for Mac, or was used for Time Machine backups but hasn't been erased, this checkbox won't be present or won't be selectable after unlocking. In that case, erase the storage device first.

If you have some other permissions issue with your library, you might be able to resolve the issue with the Photos Library repair tool.


If you need additional assistance, please contact Apple Support for help here: Get Support


Thanks!

Jul 5, 2023 8:33 AM in response to clandherr

Hi clandherr,


Did you also have a chance to try the "Photos Repair Library tool", which was linked on the last reply?

If not, give that a try and see if it resolves the issue. Here is the page, and instructions:

How to use the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac - Apple Support

If your Photos library won't open or if the Photos app behaves unexpectedly on your Mac, the Photos Repair Library tool might help.

Before you use the Photos Repair Library tool, back up your photo library. You can use Time Machine, use a third-party backup solution, or copy the library to an external drive. By default, your photo library is stored in the Pictures folder within your home folder.
To get to the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac, follow these steps: 
1. If Photos is open, close the app. Then, while you click to open Photos, hold down the Command and Option keys at the same time.
2. In the window that opens, click Repair to start the repair process. You might be asked to enter your user account password.
The Repair Library tool analyzes the library's database and repairs any inconsistencies it detects. Depending on the size of your library, the repairs might take some time. When the process is done, Photos opens the library.


If after the repair tool is run and completed, and you're still facing the issue, we'd advise to contact Apple Support, so they can look further into what's happening.


Get Support

Take care!

Jul 5, 2023 10:23 AM in response to clandherr

Your screenshot is showing the Get Info panel for the Photos Library, but you need to check the Info for the Time Capsule volume where the Photos Library resides. You need to set the Ignore ownership flag for the volume with the Photos Library. It will probably not be possible, if the Time Capsule has been used for Time Machine backups, because it is not possible to ignore the ownership on a backup volume. And Photos cannot work at all with Photos Libraries on volumes used for Time Machine backups.



Jul 5, 2023 10:37 AM in response to léonie

I don't use the time capsule for Time Machine backups, I am only use it as a hard drive. I can move and transfer all other files without issue. I already transferred music and an old iPhoto library without issue. Only my photo libraries won't transfer which leads me to believe that it is the bundle photo library file that is correct. I can open the bundle and transfer my photos directly.


Either way, I have been the admin and user profile for everything so no reason why I shouldn't have permission.

Can't copy old photo library from old external hard drive to new hard drive. Says I don't have permission?

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