FIX: Can’t Open Photo Library Using This Version of iPhoto
Up until this year when it was replaced by the Photos app, iPhoto was Apple’s resident digital photo manipulation program. Mac users could utilize the photo management and manipulation prowess that iPhoto had to offer to organize, sort through, share and even edit the photographs stored on their Mac device. In addition to all that, iPhoto could also be used to turn ordinary photographs into mesmerizing and memorable slideshows. However, the iPhoto app has its own unique flaws, one of which was the “You can’t open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto” error.
To become more specific, the error stated, “You cannot open your current photo library using this version of iPhoto. You have made changes to your photo library using a newer version of iPhoto. Please quit and use the latest version of iPhoto.” This error would appear, regardless of the version of iPhoto installed on the affected Mac, even if it was the latest version. It would render the iPhoto app completely unusable, which initially made this a significant issue. The problem’s cause was related to photo library damage or total destruction, so the solution is to rebuild the photo library. Below are two methods that you could use to fix this problem by rebuilding your photo library.
Method 1: Rebuild your photo library from automatic backup.
Hold down both the Command and Option/Alt keys, and while doing so, launch iPhoto. In the dialog that opens, choose to rebuild your iPhoto library. Select ‘Repair the iPhoto Library Database,’ and then open the repair options again and choose ‘Rebuild iPhoto library database from automatic backup.’ Then, test. If it still doesn’t work, then proceed to Method 2.
Method 2: Download iPhoto Library Manager and use its rebuild feature
IPhoto Library Manager is a nifty app for the Apple Mac that, among many other things, can be used to rebuild your iPhoto library. To do so, you need to:
Go here and download iPhoto Library Manager.
Navigate to it and use its Rebuild function.
The Rebuild feature of the app will create an entirely new iPhoto library using the data in the XML file. Once the app is done rebuilding your iPhoto library, you might not get elements such as your slideshows, books, or calendars, but you will certainly get your albums and keywords back.
This method, as opposed to the method listed above, is completely non-destructive and non-intrusive as it creates an entirely new library based off the automatic backup data, leaving your old iPhoto library completely untouched. If something goes wrong or if you don’t like your new library, you can simply revert to your old one.
