HT204655: Updating from iPhoto to Photos for OS X

Learn about Updating from iPhoto to Photos for OS X
Identifiant Apple

Q: I have upgrated to El Capitan OS.  Unfortunately I lost iPhoto in the process.  When I try to upgrade iPhoto on iTunes I get a message saying the iPhoto upgrade is only available in the U.S.  (!!)  How can I get to this app from Canada -

How to upgrade iPhoto on an IMac (El Capitan OS).  Tried to find it on iTunes but I get a message it's not available in Canada.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), iPhoto upgrade needed

Posted on Apr 7, 2016 1:49 AM

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Q: I have upgrated to El Capitan OS.  Unfortunately I lost iPhoto in the process.  When I try to upgrade iPhoto on iTunes I ... more

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  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 7, 2016 2:15 AM in response to Identifiant Apple
    Level 10 (139,480 points)
    iLife
    Apr 7, 2016 2:15 AM in response to Identifiant Apple

    What version do you now have? You can only use iPhoto 11 v9.6.1 on El Capitan. If you have any version prior to iPhoto 11 then there is no way to upgrade and you should use the new Photos.app instead.

     

    If you have a version of iPhoto 11 then put it in the trash (don't empty it) and reinstall from the Purchases List of the Mac App Store - note that's the Mac App Store and nothing to do with iTUnes.

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Apr 7, 2016 2:28 AM in response to Identifiant Apple
    Level 10 (105,761 points)
    iLife
    Apr 7, 2016 2:28 AM in response to Identifiant Apple

    To update iPhoto to version 9.6.1 as described by TD there are two things to observe, because only reinstalling will work:

     

    • The iPhoto version you are using needs to be associated with your AppleID at the App Store - it will not work, if you purchased iPhoto on a DVD and never updated to an AppStore version.
    • Spotlight must not see iPhoto installed anywhere, or you will not see the "Install" button on the Purchases tab, only the "Open" button. So, in addition to trashing the old iPhoto from your Applications folder, disconnect any external backup drives and restart he AppStore, if the "Install" button will not show.      Can't Update iPhoto because it is not available in the App Store
  • by Identifiant Apple,

    Identifiant Apple Identifiant Apple Apr 7, 2016 2:46 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Apr 7, 2016 2:46 AM in response to léonie

    The IPhoto I have is quite old, it was included in the ILife package on the Mac when I purchased it.  At least that's how I remember it.  Can I find a new iLife package that works with El Capitan-

  • by léonie,

    léonie léonie Apr 7, 2016 3:18 AM in response to Identifiant Apple
    Level 10 (105,761 points)
    iLife
    Apr 7, 2016 3:18 AM in response to Identifiant Apple

    No, iPhoto 9.5.1 and newer have only ever been sold from the Mac App Store. And Apple stopped selling iPhoto, after the new Photos for Mac application came out and the iPhoto development has been discontinued.  You can only purchase early versions of iPhoto '11 on iLife CDs, but they can only be updated to iPhoto 9.4.3. that will work on Mountain Lion, but not Yosemite or El Capitan.

     

    You can open your iPhoto libraries in Photos for Mac, as TD pointed out -  the currently supported photo software for El Capitan.

    See what to expect, when you open your library in Photos: How Photos handles content and metadata from iPhoto and Aperture - Apple Support

     

    This User Tip describes the differences between Photos and iPhoto:   Photos 1.5 vs iPhoto 9.6.1:  Features and Capabilities

     

    And here is the online help, so you can see how it is supposed to work: Photos Help

  • by Identifiant Apple,

    Identifiant Apple Identifiant Apple Apr 7, 2016 5:25 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Apr 7, 2016 5:25 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    Thanks for your reply, Terence.  I see there is no practical way for me to recuperate my photos.  I had been warned against El Capitan, was not very bright of me to ignore the warning.  :-(

    Thanks again,

    Mariette

  • by Identifiant Apple,

    Identifiant Apple Identifiant Apple Apr 7, 2016 5:28 AM in response to léonie
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Apr 7, 2016 5:28 AM in response to léonie

    Thanks Leonie.  I see there's no practical way for me to get out of this mess of my own doing (I had been warned against El Capitan by a friend, should have listened to him.)

    Best regards,

    Mariette

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Apr 7, 2016 6:04 AM in response to Identifiant Apple
    Level 10 (139,480 points)
    iLife
    Apr 7, 2016 6:04 AM in response to Identifiant Apple
    I see there is no practical way for me to recuperate my photos

     

    Of course there is. Use Photos, the app that comes with EL Capitan. It can open and use an iPhoto Library.