User profile for user: Gill1435
Gill1435 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Unable to transfer photos from old MacBook to new MacBook Air

Hi, I’ve been trying to transfer my photos from my old MacBook (2010 old) to my new MacBook Air. Migration assist did not transfer everything over so I got a usb to put my old photo library on. When I plug the usb into new Mac it says “ you can’t use this version of the application “Photos” with this version of macOS.

The old Mac App Store says everything is up to date.


Any simple reccs needed please, I am not very tech savvy ! Thank you!


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air, macOS 14.5

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 11:40 AM

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User profile for user: Richard.Taylor
Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7
23,128 points

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 12:06 PM

You seem to be transferring the Photos app located in the Applications folder. The Photos app doesn't have pictures in it-- it has the instructions for reading a database and making pictures out of the 1s and 0s it finds there. The instructions change every time there is a new OS, so your MacAir rebelled.


The pictures and their database is kept in a "package" called, probably, "Photos Library.photoslibrary" and probably located in the Pictures folder. That's the default, but it could be anything.photoslibrary. That's the thing you want to get to the MacAir. It should go in the MacAir's Pictures folder.


In 2010 there was a different program called iPhoto, and that was replaced by Photos in 2015. If the 2010 Mac ws still using iPhoto, Photos will import the pictures from an iPhoto Library, but not the "Events" or albums. If you want to convert an iPhoto Library, then the best method is to use the trusted 3rd party app PowerPhotos ($30.) 


Let us know if you need more info…


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User profile for user: Richard.Taylor
Richard.Taylor
User level: Level 7
23,128 points

Feb 13, 2025 12:06 PM in response to Gill1435

You seem to be transferring the Photos app located in the Applications folder. The Photos app doesn't have pictures in it-- it has the instructions for reading a database and making pictures out of the 1s and 0s it finds there. The instructions change every time there is a new OS, so your MacAir rebelled.


The pictures and their database is kept in a "package" called, probably, "Photos Library.photoslibrary" and probably located in the Pictures folder. That's the default, but it could be anything.photoslibrary. That's the thing you want to get to the MacAir. It should go in the MacAir's Pictures folder.


In 2010 there was a different program called iPhoto, and that was replaced by Photos in 2015. If the 2010 Mac ws still using iPhoto, Photos will import the pictures from an iPhoto Library, but not the "Events" or albums. If you want to convert an iPhoto Library, then the best method is to use the trusted 3rd party app PowerPhotos ($30.) 


Let us know if you need more info…


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Unable to transfer photos from old MacBook to new MacBook Air

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