atibb1

Q: I get this message-not sure what is going on or how to fix it-Photos must quit because the photo library has become unavailable or its data is corrupt.

when I try to access my photos in the new Photo app on my iMac I get this message:

 

Photos must quit because the photo library has become unavailable or its data is corrupt.

 

I don't know what this means or how to fix it --- need help getting to all my photos.

iMac, iOS 10.3

Posted on Jun 28, 2015 1:16 PM

Close

Q: I get this message-not sure what is going on or how to fix it-Photos must quit because the photo library has become unavailable or ... more

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 28, 2015 1:19 PM in response to atibb1
    Level 10 (270,831 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 28, 2015 1:19 PM in response to atibb1
  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jun 28, 2015 1:29 PM in response to atibb1
    Level 10 (106,767 points)
    iLife
    Jun 28, 2015 1:29 PM in response to atibb1
    Photos must quit because the photo library has become unavailable or its data is corrupt.

    That message means that Photos has detected inconsistencies in your Photos library or it cannot access the library.

    Possible reasons are

    • that the drive with your Photos library is offline (are you using iCloud Photo library or is your Photos Library on an external drive?)
    • or a corruption of the library, caused by a crash or similar.
    • or are you running a beta versions of MacOS X?

    In such a case restart the computer. If your Photos library is not on an external drive, make a backup of your Photos Library and repair it.

     

    To repair the library make first a backup copy, but don't overwrite any backup you already have.  Then restart Photos with alt-command held down and select "Repair" from the panel that will appear. That may take a long time for a large library.

  • by klop,

    klop klop Jul 3, 2015 11:15 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 11:15 AM in response to léonie

    I don't see the repair option.

    I do see the library in the finder.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Jul 3, 2015 11:31 AM in response to klop
    Level 10 (106,767 points)
    iLife
    Jul 3, 2015 11:31 AM in response to klop

    klop wrote:

     

    I don't see the repair option.

    I do see the library in the finder.

    Perhaps you did not hold down the keys long enough.

    • Select the Photos library in the Finder.
    • Hold down the keys option-command at the same time while double clicking the library.
    • Keep holding down the keys firmly, until you are seeing the Library First Aid panel.
      Screen Shot 2015-07-03 at 20.30.11.png
    • Klick "Repair".


  • by klop,

    klop klop Jul 3, 2015 1:01 PM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 1:01 PM in response to léonie

    I did a restart and held down both option & command keys a got the repair screen.

    Thank you so much

    It's in repair now.

  • by léonie,Solvedanswer

    léonie léonie Jul 3, 2015 1:02 PM in response to klop
    Level 10 (106,767 points)
    iLife
    Jul 3, 2015 1:02 PM in response to klop

    You're welcome.

    Let the repair run. It may take a while.