How do I restore my iPhoto library from a time machine back up of a macbook pro to an iMac?

Nothing at all to do with the question, about a totally different program that the OP ask about, generally will not work at all even if it does it is very destructive advice that should not be used by anyone unless they are willing to lose everything they have done since importing their photos

LN

I'm sorry. I don't understand why you think that. I just did this with my backups from my old MBP. This worked great. I was worried TM would restore more than I wanted. This worked fantastically for me and I have no loss whatsoever to any of my files. The OP asked for any ideas on how to help his problem. My answer directly solves it and is very relevant.

The OP asked for any ideas on how to help his problem

That was four years ago.

He asked specifically how to restore his iPhoto Library from Time Machine. What you responded with was how to recover original files from a Library, and then import them to Photos, which answers a different question, and, as Larry points out, has significant potential for major dataloss. On the forum it's best to warn other users if your suggestion risks dataloss.

So, your answer neither solves the question asked, nor is it relevant.

Sorry for any inconvenience. Didn't realize that could risk dataloss. Worked like a charm for me and I came to this post looking for an answer to a similar question. Just seconding "Old Toad's" post. That helped me through my issue and I thought that it could help someone else!

Please don't tell me its not "Relevant" and doesn't "solve the problem". Read the question, read the replies, read the success and failures on a question that is "four years" old. I thought the solution I used was pertinent to this post and hope that it can help someone else out too. I hope people on the forum are smart enough to look through all the options afforded to them. I would hope any user going to such extents would be aware of the risk of dataloss, and I have no hope of leading anyone astray. Just simply stating that I had a similar problem and fixed it (rather quickly) with this method. Please use my advice at your own risk. Thanks.

See the problem between your statement in the first para:

Didn't realize that could risk dataloss

and the one in the second para

I would hope any user going to such extents would be aware of the risk of dataloss

?

You hope that other users would be more aware than you?

Recovering files from a Library is not recovering a Library from a back up. These are different things.

Wrong. I recovered my iPhoto library from a time mache backup easily with the great suggestion from "OLD Toad" no other answer was as helpful as that one. I still have all my backups no data loss. Can't speak for anyone else but it worked perfectly for me.

I'm guessing its your job to monitor these post and guide people to the answers they need. I'm sure its frustrating when random people come through looking for help... and they have similar questions regarding the original post... and they start posting answers, and questions, that are starting to veer from the original post. If I was trying to find answer to a problem and came across this post through a basic search... I can't imagine how any people could still have this question. I got to the end, saw a great suggestion... did it for myself... and it worked. Problem Solved. I think hey! maybe I should actually post on that forum and maybe I can help someone out too and they can be grateful for my advice! Nope. Apparently Terence has a big thing for his rules and regulations he lives by. Gotta keep people on track man, I get it. But no need harass people for trying to help out. I for one did learn a few things from this thread; Don't look here for answers, keep your ideas to yourself, If I disagree with you my answers are finite and anything else is trash, and no, you may not talk things out. Very helpful thread guys. Keep up the great work.

Bad guess - no one here has and "job" here - everyone is a volunteer who want to help people and when people post incorrect and/or bad advice we help people by pointing the bad advise out so future users do not follow it and create problems for themselves - and your post is flat out incorrect and loses lots of information and has nothing to do with the question

Here's what I did: Open new finder window->Select your back up drive->locate the iPhoto folder->Right click it and select "Show Package Contents" you should be able to find you pictures under one of the folders there. Leave that window open and launch photos app with the control key held. Select Create New Library. Then click and drag from the finder window to the Photos app icon on your dock. You may then import your photos. Hope this helps!

As I posted

Nothing at all to do with the question, about a totally different program that the OP ask about, generally will not work at all even if it does it is very destructive advice that should not be used by anyone unless they are willing to lose everything they have done since importing their photos

LN

As Larry says, I don't work here, no one does. My concern tho' is for people who attach answers to the question which contain significant risk of data loss, as yours does, without warning. You then tell me I'm wrong, and I'm just trying to understand where you think I am wrong. Please explain. If you are correct I have no problem saying so. But again, my only aim is to avoid preventable data loss.

So, I look forward to your reply.

With the TM drive connected open TM with the Option key held down.

That should let you select the MBP backups and restore the library from it to your iMac.

See this: OS X: About OS X Recovery

But ask in the Sierra forum how to restore from a backup of a different Mac. The system experts know how to avoid all the hidden pit falls.

There is a time machine forum for detailed help with TM

Maybe this page will help - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427

LN

If you go through your time machine backup through Finder (select the date you know it was working) then go to Macintosh HD > Users > your username > Pictures there should be the iPhoto Library. You can just copy this onto your computer. To open it up hold option while opening iphoto and it will promt you to select a library.

You can just copy this onto your computer. To open it up hold option while opening iphoto and it will promt you to select a library.

No you can't. You need to Restore it, not copy it. That's that the Restore Button is all about.

Festigeo8 is correct. You will not be able to use the Time machine application as it will automatically try to restore from the iMac backup. If you go through Finder (open the external hard drive the backup is saved on) and go through the folders that festigeo mentions it will copy over fine.