Photos requires write permission to create a library or to migrate a library from iPhoto. You can fix this by copying the library to somewhere where you can write to, such as your /Pictures directory — the default location for photos in your home folder.

An error pops up when you are trying to access images from multiple devices using an iPhoto. An error stating “this photo library is locked or you do not have permission to make changes to it”. Although the iPhotos app has seen quite a few updates, this old problem/error still haunts us to date. Starting your Mac in Recovery mode and running your disk repair utility, to resolve the error might not always work, here are some more things you can try.

Follow Apple’s instructions here, and then after restarting into macOS, try to copy the library. If that fails, then Rebuild the Photos Library using Apple’s instructions here. I opened iphoto, selected export off the file menu, and attempted to move the entire library (approx 11,000 jpg photos) by highlighting the single library (entire library) item. It started to export, but when it reached approx 200 photos, I received the pop-up 'unable to create volumes/IomegaHDD/imput' with a cancel only option.

What are the reasons behind the error “this photo library is locked”?

• When you are trying to access iPhoto from multiple devices: So, if you are accessing a library that is already open on multiple devices, you might receive an error. Close the iPhoto on the other devices, when you are trying to access iPhotos from your current device.
• Conflict of ownership on removable drives: If your iPhoto Library is stored on an external drive that is used by many Mac users, there might be a permission dispute on that drive that disables other users or devices from accessing it. Specify read and write permissions to access external drives on Mac to correct this factor.
• iPhoto library is running out of free space: If the drive on which iPhoto library is saved is running out of free space, then this could be the reason why your iPhoto library might have gotten locked.

These are the above reasons why one would encounter the message “this photo library is locked” let us know below how to fix it.

How to fix error “you do not have permissions to make changes” on iPhoto

Start troubleshooting to solve the error, using below steps

1. Click on iPhoto to launch the app and press command + option keys. (quit the photos app before you do so)
2. The app will request you to start repair process
3. Enter your credentials as administrator to initiate the repair
4. The process takes some time, depending upon the photos you have saved on the system.
   Troubleshooting might have solved the issue to some extent, but if the repair process has stopped in the middle then the images are not accessible even after repairing the photo library, it can be hard to determine the reason. In such cases, it is recommended to repair iPhoto library and then rebuild the photo library database.

Quick Note: You can also use the 'Rebuild iPhoto library database' feature as shown below to rebuild the library if the above method fails to fix the repair library issue:

• Click the Command + Option button and open the iPhoto option
• Press the keys before the Picture Library Rebuild dialog box appears
• For the database repair tool, click Repair iPhoto Library Database > click Repair.

The iPhoto launches successfully once the rebuild is complete, and you can see all your images once again. If the above steps have not solved your problem, Try the Mac console app.

Fix iPhoto using Mac Console app:

1. When you open a console session, go ahead and try to open the iPhoto app again
2. Check the console messages for any iPhoto app-related errors or issues. Look to see if there are additional hints you can find that can help you find the problem source.
3. By holding the Shift Key while restarting or booting up, try booting in Safe Mode.
4. Make sure that the main library of images helps you to read and write. Go to the photo library and click or right-click on the photo library and select Get Info to open the Info Window. Scroll down to Sharing & Permissions and verify under your username that it is classified as Read & Write. If not, modify the Read & Write permissions to those.

Unless you're sure you have a permission-related problem, Repair Disk Permissions works as a troubleshooting method. before you initiate the repair process, just in case anything happens during the process, make sure you have a backup of your images. Use Remo Photo Recovery tool torecover lost files from the iPhoto library. Try the tool for free and then activate it to save the recovered files to the desired location. Download now.

For Mac users, occasional hiccups with the iPhoto Library app are not uncommon. Missing or corrupt files, errors, failed imports, the crash of the Photos app, device hanging problem while opening the iPhotos app, etc., are common issues. Such issues mean that the Images app is corrupt and it is recommended to be repaired.

If you feel this above article has helped you in resolving the error “this photo library is locked”. If you find this information helpful please share it with your friends and colleague, comment below if you have any queries.

Unable to access the iPhoto app after installing Catalina? It is because iPhoto has already retired, meaning Apple no longer supports it. In exchange, Apple introduced the Photos app, which does pretty much the same tasks as iPhoto.

Now, we understand if it’s hard for you to let go of the iPhoto app, especially if you have been using it for years. Well, in that case, we have solutions. Below, we’ve enumerated problems and possible solutions related to the use of the iPhoto app. Hopefully, by the end of the post, you’ll have a better understanding of how to overcome your problem and gain access to your media files.

Problem #1: How do you access your media files if iPhoto is no longer here after updating your macOS to Catalina?

Do you have thousands of photos saved in iPhoto? Are all your media files lost? Is there anything you can do? Do you think it is possible to retrieve all your media files when iPhoto no longer works in Catalina?

Many iPhoto app users have these questions, too. So, to make things clear, we can answer by saying that macOS Catalina is keeping you from accessing the app. Macs that run Catalina or later will no longer launch iPhoto because Apple has retired the app.

So, what can you do with this problem? Try any of the solutions below:

1: Simply use the Photos app, which comes pre-installed with macOS Catalina.

Again, iPhoto will no longer work with Catalina. And there seems to be no chance of it working in the future. Thus, your best solution is probably to get all your media files transferred or migrated to the Photos app on your device.

Don’t worry because this new app allows you to quickly import your photos from the iPhoto app. Here’s what you should do:

1. Press and hold the Option key.
2. Open the Photos app from the Dock.
3. A prompt will pop up asking you to choose a specific library that you want to access. From the list, select the iPhoto library.
4. Click Choose Library.
5. Wait for your photos to be loaded and launched in your new Photos app.

From now on, you can manage all your photos using this app.

2. Recover all your missing photos via the iPhoto app, especially if you have failed to migrate.

Unable To Write To Library Iphoto Library

In the event that the migration process did not go as planned and you ended up losing all your photos, your best option is to install and use recovery software to recover your lost media files.

Unable To Write To Library Iphoto Library Error Machine

There are plenty of file recovery apps you can find online. But we suggest that you use a trusted file recovery tool like Auslogics File Recovery. With this app, you can easily retrieve all the files that you thought were already lost for good. It also works with external storage devices like memory cards and USB drives. It can also be used to recover various file types. With this tool in your arsenal, you won’t have any reason to panic.

Problem #2: I want to upgrade the iPhoto app so it will be compatible with Catalina. Is it possible?

Unfortunately, this is not possible because the iPhoto app is no longer supported on Catalina. iPhoto has long been retired, so no matter what you do, the app will never run on your device. The app uses an outdated framework that Apple no longer supports. Your best option here is to use other apps like Photos.

Aside from the built-in Photos app, which comes with Catalina, here are other app alternatives you can try:

1. Picasa – It is photo-editing software developed by Google. It is used for organizing and editing photos and albums.
2. Apple Aperture – It is hailed as one of the best apps to replace iPhoto on Apple devices.
3. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom – There is a specific version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom intended for Macs. And it’s more interesting to use compared to other Adobe Photoshop versions.
4. Lyn – This app is the perfect companion for Mac users who are also fond of taking photos. It is a must-have for those who have galleries filled with photos from various storage devices.
5. Pixa – This app received instant fame because of its way of organizing photos on Macs.
6. Google Photos – It is one of the best alternatives to iPhoto as it allows you to manage, upload, and store photos on the cloud. It actually provides you with 15GB of free storage space, which you can use not only for photos but for other files as well.

Unable To Write To Library Iphoto Library Error Macbook Pro

But before you use any of these recommended apps, we suggest that you optimize your Mac first. This way, you can ensure nothing comes your way when editing or organizing your photos.

The best way to optimize your Mac is to use a trusted Mac repair tool like Mac repair app.

In just a few clicks, you can get rid of unnecessary files that may trigger problems and resolve any issues that may arise in the future.

Problem #3: How do you create an iPhoto backup before upgrading to Catalina?

Unable To Write To Library Iphoto Library Error Macbook

Worried that you might no longer be able to retrieve your media files? You may back up your photos to an external drive before proceeding with the macOS update. It’s probably the best way to safekeep your photos.

The good thing is that Mac allows you to easily back up your iPhoto media files. You don’t even need another app to do that. As long as your Mac is in a good running state, then you can proceed with creating a backup in a jiffy.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Open Finder.
2. Navigate to Users and select Pictures.
3. Right-click on the iPhoto Library section.
4. Choose the Show Package Contents option.
5. Open the Masters folder. You should see all your photos sorted by date or year.
6. Copy all the folders and save them onto your external drive.

Congratulations, you have successfully backed up your iPhoto files on your external drive.

The Bottom Line

If you are still hoping to use the iPhoto app after upgrading to Catalina, then you are only wasting your time. There is no way you can use the app after the Catalina update. However, the solutions above should help you get by.

What do you think about the new Photos app? Do you think it makes a great replacement for iPhoto? Let us know in the comments!