Cannot open Photos Library in Time Machine

I have a Photos Library on my MacBook. Using Catalina. I can open the Photos Library on the MacBook without a problem. However on the Time Machine backup I get an error message “Photos was unable to open the library “name” (1000). Other files open Ok on Time Machine. I have tried recovery without success. It gives me the option of opening an alternative Library. If a try to open this it says “The operation couldn’t be completed. (PHPhotosErrorDomain error 1000.).

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 29, 2024 3:11 PM

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3 replies

markwmsn

Level 6

16,823 points

Dec 30, 2024 8:27 PM in response to Pablo0858

Use the Time Machine "restore" function to retrieve a copy of the library from the Time Machine disk, not the Finder "copy" function.

muguy

Level 10

92,216 points

Dec 29, 2024 3:27 PM in response to Pablo0858

Did you first copy the library from the Time Machine backup to the Mac? You should then be able to open it.

Pablo0858 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 29, 2024 6:57 PM in response to muguy

Thank you. That has opened the photos. However, the links to the referenced files are broken. I am thinking of buying a new MacBook and want to be able to transfer about 400 photos and links to a new MacBook. Is this possible?

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Cannot open Photos Library in Time Machine