How to access old photos from Time Machine backup?

Hi,

I have an external hard drive that I want to make more space on. I have several so this one simply needs to be cleared. Before erasing it I'm trying to double check that I have all the files from an old Timemachine backup that is on it on other drives. For most types of file this is easy as I simply go to the folder in the Timemachine back-up & check via the titles / same folders saved elsewhere on other drives. However this backup was from an old Macbook that no longer works, so when I try to view the Photos library to check I have all the photos, it doesn't let me open it. Searching in the app itself, by using 'show package contents' does mean I can search through some folders, such as 'Masters' but the photos aren't ordered into the folders they were in in the App & they also don't have the original file names.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can open the app on a different Macbook or any suggestions?

Thanks.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 2:31 AM

Top-ranking reply

léonie

Level 10

200,531 points

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 6:01 AM

You have to use Time Machine to access the Time Machine backup from the old computer.

The backup of a Photos Library needs to be restored by running Time Machine, or the internal links may not be restored correctly.

By default, Time Machine will only browse your current backup volume, but when you hold down the (opt)key when launching Time Machine from the Time Machine menulette in the main menu bar, you should be seeing an option "Browse other backups". Then you can select the older Time Machine drive to restore from.

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How to access old photos from Time Machine backup?

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