Repair a Damaged database.db File

If database.db is damaged, the app may fail to enter the workspace, switch databases, or initialize the database. An inaccessible drive, moved path or permission error is not proof of corruption; check the reported cause first. The repair tool attempts to recover readable data into a usable database file.

Steps

1. Open the Tools menu.
2. Choose Repair Database File.
3. Click Choose db File and select the main file named exactly database.db, not a database_corrupt_...db backup.
4. Click Start Repair. Do not close the app or move the database folder while it runs.
5. After repair succeeds, let the app initialize or switch to the repaired database.

What Repair Does

The repair process saves the damaged file as database_corrupt_日期.db, then attempts to migrate readable data into a new database.db. Recovery can be partial or fail.

Repair is a best-effort process. It cannot guarantee full recovery when the source file is severely damaged.

Automatically Opened Repair Dialog

When the app detects a damaged database while switching or initializing, it may open the repair dialog automatically. The affected path is shown automatically. After successful repair, the app retries the operation that failed.

Notes

• Where possible, preserve an extra copy of the whole database directory before repair.
• Do not manually delete database.db, its WAL/SHM companions, vector or thumb contents.
• Keep source material in ordinary folders, not inside the database directory.
• Do not rename random files to database.db; choose the real database file.
• If repair succeeds but some images are missing, refresh folders or rebuild indexes afterwards.

Common Cases

• If repair fails, preserve the database directory and logs for technical support.
• If the database opens normally but search data is incomplete, start with refresh or index repair.
• If the repaired database opens but search data is incomplete, rebuild the related indexes.
• If source folders moved or their drive is disconnected, restore access or add the new location. That situation alone does not call for damaged-file repair.