HT204484: If Photos can’t copy or create a library

Learn about If Photos can’t copy or create a library

dguire

Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Photos cannot copy iPhoto library

Just converting to Yosemite and trying to start using the Photo App. After selecting my old library I recieved:

"Photos was unable to make copy of your library before preparing it. Photos does not have the necessary permissions".

The instructions at If Photos can’t copy or create a library are helpful except that my library is on an external drive.

The path is simply /Volumes/Compas/iPhoto Library.old. I am unsure of how to change the commands used in the Terminal Window.

Can anyone help?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on May 29, 2015 2:33 PM

I have this question too

Q: Photos cannot copy iPhoto library

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by Old Toad,

Old Toad May 29, 2015 2:35 PM in response to dguire
Level 10 (141,105 points)

Mac OS X

May 29, 2015 2:35 PM in response to dguire

How is that external HD formatted? If it's not OS X Extended (journaled) then that's the reason. The libraries must be on a volume formatted OS X Extended (journaled).
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by dguire,

dguire May 29, 2015 2:49 PM in response to Old Toad
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May 29, 2015 2:49 PM in response to Old Toad

The format info on the drive reads Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Is that different than OS X?
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by Old Toad,

Old Toad May 29, 2015 3:52 PM in response to dguire
Level 10 (141,105 points)

Mac OS X

May 29, 2015 3:52 PM in response to dguire

No. That's just fine. Launch Photos with the Command+Option keys held down and try to repair the library.
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by LarryHN,

LarryHN May 29, 2015 3:57 PM in response to dguire
Level 10 (84,646 points)

Photos for Mac

May 29, 2015 3:57 PM in response to dguire

And get info on the EHD and check the ignore ownership box

LN
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