Why did iphoto delete all of my albums without me clicking anything?

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Level 1

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Why did iphoto delete all of my albums without me clicking anything?

I was looking to upload a photo online, just browsing through photos, all photos were there, but I decided I wanted to edit it first. I click out. I go open iPhoto, it says it needs to be updated, I decline, it closes automatically. I open it agian, this time allow it to update, then all of my photos are gone. It says the last update was April 2011, when I know I have uploaded probably 50 different albums since then. I restart hoping this fixes things. It doesn't. I restart again, no dice.

What happened? How could it have deleted all my photos? They aren't anywhere - I searched all images and pictures folders. I searched the iphoto library. What can I do?

I'm particularly upset because it deleted my engagement photos and engagement party photos. Not to mention all of my holiday photos from this year.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jun 8, 2012 4:13 PM

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Answer 1

merilynn

Level 1

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Jun 8, 2012 5:08 PM in response to ddennie11

This just happened to me as well. Yesterday I had 600 photos and today when I opened I phots, they are gone and all I have in the beginning set-up like I never had any pictures! I don't know what to do and apple support wasn't any help--they referred me here..

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Answer 2

ddennie11 Author

Level 1

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Jun 8, 2012 5:15 PM in response to merilynn

They just helped me. Apparently when you update, a new default library sometimes gets created? You have to quit iphoto, hold down the option key, then click on the iphoto icon on the doc, and it should ask you which you want to open. Open the one that isn't current the default.

At least this helped me just now.

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Answer 3

merilynn

Level 1

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Jun 8, 2012 6:09 PM in response to ddennie11

Thanks so much. I still must be doing someting wrong ( I am somewhat new to Mac ). I was in I photo, held down the option key then clicked on the iphoto icon on the doc..it didn't ask me what I wanted to open. Did I do something wrong?

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Answer 4

JCC83

Level 1

4 points

Mar 27, 2015 9:13 AM in response to ddennie11

I just realized that all my photo albums have been deleted. I think I did an update recently that might have done something. I tried doing what was suggested above but still didn't get it to work. Could you be more specific.

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Answer 5

Old Toad

Level 10

207,439 points

Mar 27, 2015 10:05 AM in response to ddennie11

Assuming you're running iPhoto 9 or later do the following:

1 - launch iPhoto with the Command+Option keys held down to open the First Aid window. Be sure to follow the circled recommendation in the screenshot.

2 - run Option #4, Rebuild Database.

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