HT204259: If Photos won't open a library that you already migrated

Learn about If Photos won't open a library that you already migrated
Miko5

Q: Is it safe to delete an iPhotos library that has been migrated to Photos when upgrading to Yosemite?

I recently upgraded to Yosemite during which all the photos in my iPhoto app got migrated successfully to the Photos app. So, is it safe for me to delete the iPhoto library from my computer? ~Chessmonkey

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on May 27, 2015 2:15 PM

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Q: Is it safe to delete an iPhotos library that has been migrated to Photos when upgrading to Yosemite?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN May 27, 2015 2:20 PM in response to Miko5
    Level 10 (84,530 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 27, 2015 2:20 PM in response to Miko5

    Yes but not recommended - it will not save very much space ( Photos saves disk space by sharing images with your iPhoto or Aperture libraries - Apple Support ) and if you need or want to go back to iPhoto is is extremely difficult once you delete the iphoto library

     

    LN

  • by Miko5,

    Miko5 Miko5 May 27, 2015 4:17 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    May 27, 2015 4:17 PM in response to LarryHN

    Thanks, LarryHN. But, since iPhoto is not supported by Yosemite, how would I go back to iPhoto anyway?

     

    Also, when I looked in the User folder at the iPhoto library folder and the Photos library folder they are not the same size. The iPhoto library folder was actually larger by a couple of GBs.

     

    Wouldn't they be identical in size if they were duplicates?

     

    Miko

  • by markwmsn,Solvedanswer

    markwmsn markwmsn May 28, 2015 1:39 PM in response to Miko5
    Level 5 (5,659 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 28, 2015 1:39 PM in response to Miko5

    The shared pictures themselves are the same size and content, but the associated data in libraries (metadata, thumbnails, etc) are different.

     

    You can use iPhoto in Yosemite if you obtain the latest version (9.6.1). There are a couple of small tricks to doing so; write back for details if you decide you really need to go back.

  • by Old Toad,Helpful

    Old Toad Old Toad May 28, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Miko5
    Level 10 (141,085 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 28, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Miko5

    iPhoto was not deleted from your hard drive, only removed from the Dock.  If you have iPhoto 9.6.1 you can still use your iPhoto library.  If you don't have that version but some earlier version of 9.x try following Terence Devlin's iinstructions in this post to obtain iPhoto 9.6.1 from the App Store:

    Terence Devlin

    Apr 14, 2015 11:21 AM

    Re: Is Iphoto gone ? i want it back!

    in response to Johannes666

    Recommended

     

    Go to the App Store and check out the Purchases List. If iPhoto is there then it will be v9.6.1

     

    If it is there, then drag your existing iPhoto app (not the library, just the app) to the trash

     

    Install the App from the App Store.

     

    Sometimes iPhoto is not visible on the Purchases List. it may be hidden. See this article for details on how to unhide it.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4928

     

    One question often asked: Will I lose my Photos if I reinstall?

     

    iPhoto the application and the iPhoto Library are two different parts of the iPhoto programme. So, reinstalling the app should not affect the Library. BUT you should always have a back up before doing this kind of work. Always.

    OTsig.png

  • by Miko5,

    Miko5 Miko5 May 28, 2015 11:35 PM in response to Miko5
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Wireless
    May 28, 2015 11:35 PM in response to Miko5

    Thanks everyone. Got my questions answered. And, no, I don't want to go back. We like Photos better than iPhoto.

     

    Miko