Photos has attempted to repair the library ''Photos Library.photoslibrary'', but is unable to open it.

What if you repacked the other files you mention? My Mac was having really bad problems with this last OS update. To get my old library working I would need to update, right? Am I missing something?

Sent from my iPhone

Mmm like you say it works though is quite destructive. I have managed to find another way just by trying things out really.

Go to your Pictures folder, create a temp folder and put your Photo Library in there, then start the Photos app and when it's prompts; create new library, then shut the Photo.app.
Go back into the Pictures folder right click on the new created 'Photo Library' and 'Show Packet Contents', then open the 'database' folder and copy the 'DataModelVersion.plist', then drag your original Photo Library out of the Temp folder you created placing it back into the Pictures folder.

Now following the steps above go into your original Photo Library and replace the 'DataModelVersion.plist' with the one you have copied, then right click on your original Photo Library and open with Photo.app, and everything should be working fine..!

This was what solved my issues, hope this works for you..?

Thank you so much for your solution. It really works!

Thank you so much for this!!!!

THANK YOU!!!

THANKYOUTHANKYOU

Perfect AztekDJ. That worked quickly and easily!

Thank you so much! I was a bit intimidated at the idea of doing the process myself so I took my computer to my local mac shop. The guys there tried a simple restore from time machine but that still needed repairing and only got to 95%. I showed them your post and they did the process for me AND IT WORKED! They said they had learned something and didn't charge me for their help. Once again: thank you!

You, sir, are some kind of wizard! I was SO worried I'd lost everything and then I read this magic about some mythical folder with a name that means nothing ot me and dubiously followed and WOW.

You are my new hero!

Thank you - genius!

I've tried this to the point I'm once again ready to throw the mac to the window 😠

My issue is the same as most:

iPhotos on seagate external HD, when I installed el capitain they auto migrated to photos but on the mac itself. I copied them to the seagate & they won't open from the there, only from the mac itself.

So I have a copy of them on the Seagate which won't open & a copy of them on the mac that will, I don't want them on Mac. I've tried the above but find it a bit confusing if you could simplify (the photo's aren't in a pictures folder, they're on the desktop as I intend to get rid of them from the mac, & on the Seagate they're just there with everything else)

Jealous of the 'Thanks it's worked relies' 👿

Thank you SO much for this! It worked great!