Can't find catalog after restoring from Time Machine

[tacquilano]

Lightroom Version Number

13.5.1

Operating System

1. macOS 15 Sequoia

Yesterday I purchased a new Mac Mini because my iMac HD failed. It's a 2016 iMac so not worth fixing. I use LR Classic. After restoring apps from Time Machine, I can't find my catalog on Lightroom. I use an external drive for all of my image downloads. It's Saturday and Adobe does not provide tech support after regular hours. Very disappointing! So I thought I would ask for support elsewhere. Wouldn't the catalog that I've been using transfer over in LR from Time Machine?

 

[Conrad Chavez]

Time Machine should restore all files in the backup to the same folder locations where each file originally was at the time it was backed up.

When restoring the backup, if you chose to restore it to a different user account (might be likely if restoring to a new Mac), the files should end up in the same folder structure relative to the user account’s Home folder.

I think by default (if not moved), the Lightroom Classic catalog is stored in…
/Users/(your username)/Pictures/Lightroom

If at some point you chose to store it somewhere else, like the external drive, it should be there instead.

One way a file won’t get backed up is if it’s stored somewhere that Time Machine is not set to back up. The most common reason is that a file or folder was added to the Time Machine exceptions list. But if you never added the Lightroom Classic catalog or its folder to that exceptions list, then after restoring the backup, it should be at the same folder location it was backed up from.

 

[tacquilano]

Time Machine should restore all files in the backup to the same folder locations where each file originally was at the time it was backed up.

When restoring the backup, if you chose to restore it to a different user account (might be likely if restoring to a new Mac), the files should end up in the same folder structure relative to the user account’s Home folder.

I think by default (if not moved), the Lightroom Classic catalog is stored in…
/Users/(your username)/Pictures/Lightroom

If at some point you chose to store it somewhere else, like the external drive, it should be there instead.

One way a file won’t get backed up is if it’s stored somewhere that Time Machine is not set to back up. The most common reason is that a file or folder was added to the Time Machine exceptions list. But if you never added the Lightroom Classic catalog or its folder to that exceptions list, then after restoring the backup, it should be at the same folder location it was backed up from.

Thank you so much for your reply!

I had to go through this about 2 years ago when I had to replace the failed HD on the same iMac. Everything went well with that restore. The only thing different this time is that I only restored the apps from TM. I opted to get a 512GB mini and use an external drive for everything else. I use a dedicated HD for all of my images. And, of course, a dedicated HD for TM. I haven't yet downloaded everything else from TM to an external drive yet. Should be delivered in a few days.