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photos folder from a newer version of photos

how do I open a photos folder from a newer version of photos? it just says its from a newer version of photos which I had a lap top that has broken so only have a Catalina software version to use!

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 5, 2022 10:45 AM

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3 replies

Dec 5, 2022 11:39 AM in response to ChrisLat23

If your Photos Library is in iCloud, you can downgrade your Photos Library to Catalina like this: Rebuilding a Photos Library by downloading a new Copy from iCloud - Apple Community

  • Create a new, empty Photos Library on your Catalina Mac.
  • Make this new library your System Photos Library, then enable iCloud Photos.
  • Wait for your photos and videos to download from iCloud to the new library.


Dec 5, 2022 10:57 AM in response to ChrisLat23

Each time there is a major update in the OS, the version of Photos adds new stuff that can't be interpreted by Photos from a previous version. An older version of Photos just doesn't have the slots for new pegs to fit into. So the answer is, unfortunately, you can't work with a Monterey (for instance) Photos Library in Catalina. You need either to upgrade to the system you last used to load the library, or you need to find an upgraded Mac somewhere and export all the pictures.



photos folder from a newer version of photos

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