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iphoto won't open because it is damaged or incomplete?

I recently got a new hard drive for my MacBook Pro and had to reinstall all of my programs. So far I haven't had any problems except with my iPhoto. When I click the application to open it, a small gray box pops up and says "You can't open the application iPhoto because it may be damaged or incomplete." I'm really hoping there's a way to fix it without having to delete the app and repurchase it. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2010), iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Jun 12, 2012 7:45 PM

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38 replies

Jun 13, 2012 2:15 AM in response to gg10192

To re-install iPhoto


1. Put the iPhoto.app in the trash (Drag it from your Applications Folder to the trash)


2a: On 10.5: Go to HD/Library/Receipts and remove any pkg file there with iPhoto in the name.


2b: On 10.6: Those receipts may be found as follows: In the Finder use the Go menu and select Go To Folder. In the resulting window type


/var/db/receipts/


2c: on 10.7 they're at


/private/var/db/receipts


A Finder Window will open at that location and you can remove the iPhoto pkg files.


3. Re-install.


If you purchased an iLife Disk, then iPhoto is on it.


If iPhoto was installed on your Mac when you go it then it’s on the System Restore disks that came with your Mac. Insert the first one and opt to ‘Install Bundled Applications Only.


If you purchased it on the App Store or have a Recent Mac you can find it in your Purchases List.



It does not require repurchasing.

Jul 15, 2012 11:15 AM in response to Yer_Man

I reinstalled iPhoto and now when I try to open it a popup opens that says "In order to open iPhoto, you need to update to the latest version. Please run Software Update to install it now." So I ran a software update on my computer and the same popup is opening. I restarted my computer but nothing seems to be working. Any ideas?

Mar 21, 2013 11:50 PM in response to aliciaca90

Remember: we cannot see your machine. There are 9 different versions of iPhoto and they run on 8 different versions of the Operating System. The tricks and tips for dealing with issues vary depending on the version of iPhoto and the version of the OS. So to get help you need to give as much information as you can. Basic things like :



- What version of iPhoto.

- What version of the Operating System.

- Details. As full a description of the problem as you can. For instance: 'iPhoto won't export' is best explained by describing how you are trying to export, and so on.

- History: Is this going on long? Has anything been installed or deleted?

- Are there error messages?

- What steps have you tried already to solve the issue.

- Anything unusual about your set up? Or how you use iPhoto?


Anything else you can think of that might help someone understand the problem you have.

Mar 29, 2013 4:18 PM in response to gg10192

I have found the same issue, however, when I went to update with 9.1, it then told me I needed 9.0 first! I searched for it, but can not find it! It is very frustrating. Help please... Thanks!


By the way, Apple had me reformat the entire computer not long ago, and then had me reinstall everyting. Some of the items did not reinstall, so, they sent me a new copy of the CD becuase I am out of town on an extended stay, and it is when I put this iLife CD in that the iPhoto STOPPED working! It was working just fin yesterday! So, I am very confused. Thanks.

iphoto won't open because it is damaged or incomplete?

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