Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How do I make sure my photos are gone forever once I delete them from iPhoto/ iPhone/?

I had a problem with my computer a while ago but apple couldn't work out what it was so I needed to get a new logic board. I did this and it's working perfectly now. However, before it broke there was something wrong with iPhoto (a corrupt file and damaged library) so I ended up loosing all my photos as when I backed it up the corrupt file was still there and I cannot use it on a new iPhoto. Anyway I have gotten over that!

But previous to the fix, when I could open iPhoto the library had tripled... photos from years ago from my iPhone and iPhoto had somehow come back onto it (even though I deleted them), the "faces" files had turned into their own photos, photos tripled (some smaller versions some bigger), and loads of random clip art and images I had never seen was on it. There was over 40,000 photos. It was so weird. It would have taken me weeks to sort through it all...

Anyway!! I am curious to why these photos I had made sure I deleted could somehow come back?

Will it happen again?

I have never downloaded anything weird from the internet or anything illegal that could cause a virus...

I am studying art in college at the moment and therefore I take a lot of images for projects...then upload them to my computer and usually delete most of them in a few days or weeks after so my library isn't huge. I am wondering could this cause problems?
Please help if you have any answers as I want to keep taking, uploading and deleting photos like normal but really don't want the computer to crash again as the replacing a logic board costs a lot of money.
Thanks a mil!

Sorry for the longwinded question!

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Dec 8, 2014 4:22 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 8, 2014 5:10 AM

when I could open iPhoto the library had tripled... photos from years ago from my iPhone and iPhoto had somehow come back onto it (even though I deleted them), the "faces" files had turned into their own photos, photos tripled (some smaller versions some bigger), and loads of random clip art and images I had never seen was on it. There was over 40,000 photos. It was so weird



Nothing weird. That happens when you import one iPhoto Library into another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.


As for deletions:


Drag the image from the Event to the iPhoto Trash. Empty it. Then Empty the System Trash. That removes it from the hard disk.


If that has failed in the past it was due to the Library being corrupted.


Hello from Clare.

7 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 8, 2014 5:10 AM in response to murphyireland123

when I could open iPhoto the library had tripled... photos from years ago from my iPhone and iPhoto had somehow come back onto it (even though I deleted them), the "faces" files had turned into their own photos, photos tripled (some smaller versions some bigger), and loads of random clip art and images I had never seen was on it. There was over 40,000 photos. It was so weird



Nothing weird. That happens when you import one iPhoto Library into another. Every version and thumbnail is imported like a distinct photo, you lose all your Albums, Keywords etc., the link between Original and Previews is destroyed, the non-destructive editing feature is ruined and so on. In summary: it's mess.


As for deletions:


Drag the image from the Event to the iPhoto Trash. Empty it. Then Empty the System Trash. That removes it from the hard disk.


If that has failed in the past it was due to the Library being corrupted.


Hello from Clare.

Dec 8, 2014 5:12 AM in response to murphyireland123

But previous to the fix, when I could open iPhoto the library had tripled... photos from years ago from my iPhone and iPhoto had somehow come back onto it (even though I deleted them), the "faces" files had turned into their own photos, photos tripled (some smaller versions some bigger), and loads of random clip art and images I had never seen was on it. There was over 40,000 photos. It was so weird. It would have taken me weeks to sort through it all...

This looks like a user error: "the "faces" files had turned into their own photos, photos tripled (some smaller versions some bigger)". This exactly what will happen, if you import an iPhoto library into iPhoto by dragging the iPhoto library to the iPhoto icon or using "File > Impaort" and selecting an iPhoto library. Then you will see the "Faces" thumbnails a separate images, or the previews and thumbnails of your images as smaller images versions, and the Trash will be recycled.

Just make sure you always open an iPhoto library by double clicking it to open it, or use "File > Switch to Library" in iPhoto to switch to another library.

Jan 4, 2015 3:31 PM in response to Yer_Man

thanks a mil... I never thought of that. So the problem was I created a new copied library? Do you know if there's an easy way to get the photos back? They're all on my hard drive but I don't want to put them all back on the computer (as theres hundreds and thousands!) but would love just a few of the event...family photos etc.
Thanks so much! First time I'm using these communities and didn't think people would give such helpful detailed answers... haha

Jan 4, 2015 3:36 PM in response to léonie

God its all so confusing! Thanks a mil though... I understand now why it happened 🙂 not sure why I did it... I was trying so many different things with the library with Apple over the phone I can't remember everything I did with it... but I think you're right... we may have duplicated the library and added it in again or something! So it shouldn't happen if I'm using it normally? The thing I don't understand still is why photos I had from years ago (and 100% deleted) were back on my computer? Some of these photos were literally 4 years old... and with those I did... "Drag the image from the Event to the iPhoto Trash. Empty it. Then Empty the System Trash." Can't understand it...

Jan 4, 2015 3:58 PM in response to murphyireland123

Without an older backup it will be a lot of work.

Use the "Photos" view to sort the imported photos by title. If you do not change the titles, this will be the filename. This way, duplicate photos caused by importing thumbnails or previews will appear side-by-side.


You could also try to use a duplicate finder application. You will want one, that can recognize thumbnails and previews as duplicates of the original image file and lets you automatically keep the full size version.

How do I make sure my photos are gone forever once I delete them from iPhoto/ iPhone/?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.