iPhoto 9.6.1 Won't Open on El Capitan: Should You Replace It?

Apple's decision to discontinue support for its aging photo editing software iPhoto has left many Mac users feeling abandoned. While the company encourages a transition to its newer, more robust alternative Photos, some may still be holding onto their tried and tested workflow due to compatibility concerns.

Fortunately, there is good news for those who have yet to make the jump: iPhoto 9.6.1 can indeed continue running on El Capitan without any major hiccups. This means that users don't necessarily need to shell out for an expensive upgrade or risk losing their hard-earned editing skills in the process.

However, it's essential to note that sticking with older software comes with its own set of caveats. For instance, many applications built specifically for Snow Leopard (i.e., PPC architecture) may cease functioning altogether due to El Capitan's lack of Rosetta compatibility. This means that anyone relying on these programs will need to either seek out alternative solutions or consider migrating back to an earlier version of the operating system entirely.

In terms of iPhoto itself, users can expect a relatively smooth transition from 9.6.1 to El Capitan if they follow some simple steps:

1) First and foremost, ensure that your Mac is running on Yosemite (or higher), as attempting this process with anything lower may lead to compatibility issues.

2) Next up, download the latest version of iPhoto (i.e., v9.7.3) from Apple's official website using a separate computer or USB stick – you won't be able to do so directly through the App Store due to El Capitan's restrictions on older apps.

Once these preliminary steps have been taken care of, simply double-click on the downloaded dmg file and follow the prompts within iPhoto itself to complete the installation process. Once finished, launch your newly updated copy of iPhoto 9.6.1 – it should now be ready for use alongside other applications running under El Capitan.

While this workaround may not offer a long-term solution by any stretch (Apple has officially announced plans to phase out support for Snow Leopard altogether come late 2014), those who cannot afford or simply prefer not to switch over to Photos just yet can rest assured that they won't be left in the dark – at least, not immediately.

Iphoto 9.6.1 won't open el capitan