I stored some Garageband files on my Google Drive and now can't open them because they have "pkgf" after the .band extension. I have tried downloading them, removing the "pkgf" and nothing works. One thread said to download the file, open a new Garageband file, save that, quit Garageband and then control-click the pkgf file and select "show contents" but that was not an option. I really need these files. How do I recover them?
iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021, 2 ports)
Hello gwitley,
If you're still experiencing issues, and have access to the original file(s), you may try loading them to an external drive, and then move them from there to the Mac. That can help to rule out any possible conflicts with the current storage option used.
Be sure to also check for any available macOS and GarageBand updates to ensure the latest fixes/improvements are applied: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support
For reference, the current latest version is macOS Ventura 13.0.1:
1. From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen:
•Choose System Settings. Then click General in the sidebar, and Software Update on the right.
•Or choose System Preferences. Then click Software Update.
2. If Software Update finds new software, click the Update Now or Upgrade Now button to install it.
3. Enter your administrator password, if asked. During installation, your Mac might restart, and you might see a progress bar or blank screen several times.
If you still have issues, you may try reaching out to the Apple Support Advisors that specialize in GarageBand here: Apple Support
If the issue seems to be isolated to Google Drive then this link can help with receiving support there: Google Drive Help
Cheers.
Hello gwitley,
"GarageBand saves projects as a special kind of file called a package, which non-Apple formatted hard drives and Internet services do not support. To insure that your project opens properly on another computer, you need to compress the GarageBand project."
Intro to sharing in GarageBand on Mac covers what to do before uploading or copying your project elsewhere.
If you're unable to follow those steps at this point, contacting Apple Support would be recommended.
Take care.
I now know that Google did this to my Garageband file. However, my question is how to UNDO that package file creation. I've tried download it - it won't open. I've tried deleting the pkfg after .band and the file is unrecognizable by Garageband - it opens and empty file.
It happens to me and mine were stored on google drive. They do not have the pkgf ending, but when I try to open it asks me to create a new project. Some work some do not. I have had this problem before and I somehow found a solution, but alas, searching for it again. Best of luck to us both
By "original files" do you mean the one that now has "pkfg" appended at the end? Because if I could access the real "original files" with just .band as the extension my problem would be solved.
You might also ask in the Logic forum since they can face the same issue.
Unable to open Garageband files
