ksevv
Level 1 (1 points)

Q: Unable to migrate Iphoto Library to Photos app from an external harddrive?

I have a 1TB external harddrive that contains my 250+ GB IPhoto Library. However, whenever I try to open it up in the new photos app, I get an error saying the library cannot be opened because it is on an unsupported disk format. Apple has a "solution" to this problem, but the means of solving it aren't feasible in my case. I don't have enough space to copy 250GB onto my internal drive, hence why its on an external hard drive.. Does anyone else have a solution?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 5:23 PM

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ksevv

Q: Unable to migrate Iphoto Library to Photos app from an external harddrive?

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  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Apr 12, 2015 5:38 PM in response to ksevv
    Level 10 (141,860 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 12, 2015 5:38 PM in response to ksevv

    How is the EHD formatted and connected to your MBP?  It must be OS X Extended (journaled) for Photos to work (same for iPhoto). 

    OTsig.png

  • by A.Fruit,

    A.Fruit A.Fruit Apr 14, 2015 8:28 AM in response to ksevv
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 14, 2015 8:28 AM in response to ksevv

    This is what worked for me:

    • Quit Photos.app
    • Restart Photos.app while holding down the shift key
    • A library dialog pops up. Select your library on your external drive.
    • Let import ensue

  • by Hisham,

    Hisham Hisham Apr 18, 2015 7:44 PM in response to ksevv
    Level 2 (440 points)
    Apr 18, 2015 7:44 PM in response to ksevv

    Hi Ksevv

    As A.Fruit said you will need to quit the photos.app and as well the iPhoto. When you restart the Photos app, hold down the 'alt-option' key (not the Shift-key) and the choose your library from the Photos app in the pop-up window. The path of the library is indicated on the window, so do ensure that you pick your right library in case you have multiple ones. The Photos app, will prepare the import and takes its time, so be patient. Also be aware, that if you have iCloud Photo library activated, this will go against your 5GB free storage, so if you need to store your photos in the iCloud, ensure that you have enough space.

    Hope the above helps.