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I can't open my iPhoto app.

Hi - I can't open my iPhoto app.

I receive this error message. = The iPhoto Library is locked*, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it.


* I unlocked the app.


I have Sierra and use PHOTOS. However my Time Machine backup has iPhoto as the photo app. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.3)

Posted on Mar 10, 2018 5:54 PM

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Posted on Mar 11, 2018 5:51 AM

••• I'm looking to download/transfer the photos from my TM file to my Photos app.

Photos cannot open a library as part of the Time Machine backup. And it cannot work with a library that is stored on a drive, that is used by Time Machine.


Run Time Machine to restore the iPhoto Library from the Time Machine backup. if you simply copy the library out of the backup, it may still not work. Time Machine needs to recreate the links in the library package. This document describes, how to restore an iPhoto Library from a Time Machine backup: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202321


Once the library has been restored to your Pictures folder, you can drag it onto the Photos icon to convert it to a Photos Library or open it in iPhoto 9.6.1, if you still have this version of iPhoto installed.

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Question marked as Best reply

Mar 11, 2018 5:51 AM in response to spikejj

••• I'm looking to download/transfer the photos from my TM file to my Photos app.

Photos cannot open a library as part of the Time Machine backup. And it cannot work with a library that is stored on a drive, that is used by Time Machine.


Run Time Machine to restore the iPhoto Library from the Time Machine backup. if you simply copy the library out of the backup, it may still not work. Time Machine needs to recreate the links in the library package. This document describes, how to restore an iPhoto Library from a Time Machine backup: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202321


Once the library has been restored to your Pictures folder, you can drag it onto the Photos icon to convert it to a Photos Library or open it in iPhoto 9.6.1, if you still have this version of iPhoto installed.

Mar 10, 2018 6:09 PM in response to spikejj

Please post a clear question including details - this article will assist in writing a question that can be answered - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5931


Details are critical - you posted in the iPhoto for Mac forum and ask about iPhoto for Mac and then state that you do not use iPhoto but use Photos (a totally different program with a totally different support forum) and High Sierra 10.13.3 - what OS do you have and what photos software are you using? What has changed since it worked? Where is your library located and if on an external drive what format is it and how is it connected? What exactly does TimeMachine have to do with your question?


LN

Mar 10, 2018 7:05 PM in response to LarryHN

Sorry, Larry - Thought all of the questions you asked were included in my initial post.


As it stated below:

I have a MacBook Pro (mid 2014)

OS Sierra 10.3.3


As I assume you know Photos is Mac's photo app with Sierra.


As I mentioned in my post I have a TM backup from a few years ago. Iphoto was the Mac Photo App at the time.


If this post still isn't clear maybe just move on. I don't need your insults.

Mar 11, 2018 12:23 AM in response to spikejj

I'm afraid your query isn't clear.


You're using Photos.app right now.


But you're trying to open iPhoto and that is in a Time Machine back up? Or the Library is? Or both?


What version of iPhoto? Have you restored both the app and the Library from Time Machine?


How did you "unlock the app"? Also the error message says nothing about the app, but only about the Library.


Assuming both have been restored from TM, where is the Library and, if it's on an external disk, what format is that disk?


Lastly, Time Machine doesn't have a photo app, it's just a back up of what you had at the time, and Photos will open iPhoto Libraries.

Mar 11, 2018 1:41 AM in response to Yer_Man

Hi Terence - Thanks for reaching out. Let me try once again.


• I have a MacBook Pro (mid, 2014)

• OS: High Sierra, Version 10.13.3


• I have been backing up files via Time Machine for a number of years and have never encountered this type of issue.

• The backed up files are on an external drive.


••• I'm looking to download/transfer the photos from my TM file to my Photos app.


HOWEVER and this is where I loose people.

• Sierra's photo album app is now PHOTOS.

• The earlier photo app was iPHOTO.

• I want to download/transfer the TM photos to my new computer.

• When I try I get this error.

• The iPhoto Library is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have permission to make changes to it.


The only option I have is to click ok then it goes away.


Any ideas Terence? I'd grately appreciate it.


Thanks, Spike

Mar 11, 2018 5:33 PM in response to spikejj

Instead of trying to open the iPhoto Library.photolibrary from within Time Machine copy it out to the main storage area on your computer, either the internal drive if there is room, or to the root of the external drive. If there isn't room on the external drive either then you need another drive. Indeed if the version of your library in Time Machine is the only one that you have then you're missing a backup for your data and you really need another storage location anyway.


Hopefully once you have a copy of the photo library that isn't stored within TM it will open properly in Photos if you double-click on it.


tt2

I can't open my iPhoto app.

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