Mac Os Catalina do not sync photos with iOS Devices

For those that are able to make it work or work around does the duplication problem continue, as discussed much earlier in this thread? If I try to sync any new photos from my library via usb , I get duplicates of many if not most photos.

I feel the fix from Apple will be no fix in an effort to push everyone towards iCloud subscriptions. Similar to their elimination of iTunes to push everyone to Apple Music. Unfortunately for then there are much better streaming options out there that also work cross platform just as there are storage options that are better than iCloud.

Time to stop trying to “make it work” and start looking for alternative options to the Photos app. if anyone has any please share.

I'm having the same issue, I have never used iCloud Photos. I have always selected a small number of albums from my MacAir to save on my iPhone without any problems. Since installing Catalina I can upload from my iPhone 8 to my MacAir, I can download recent photos (if I select that option), but I cannot download any of my albums from the MacAir to my iPhone.

Very frustrating 2 hours spent last night, checking settings (all were correct), checking for software updates for iPhone & MacAir (none were available) and restarting both devices a number of times.

Apple please fix this problem!

Good spotting Quicksilverboy!!

Earlier I had suggested using Smart Folders at the top-level to replicate existing Sub Folders in my photo library. I said "It Works" but as I added more of the Smart Folders to the top level, I got incomplete syncing of images.

After seeing your post, I tried again and added more Smart Folders too, and all seems to be working between my iMac and iPhone at the moment. I'm still using a USB cable to my iPhone, I need to try wifi sync again and see if its working - it was not earlier.

Thanks for your post

As I wrote previously, iOS has never synced photos in folders, but only albums in the root.

Having said that, Catalina correctly synchronizes the photos if they are copied to the library. Just activate the "copy photos in the library" option and consolidate those that are not.

For me it works perfectly.

You are completely wrong. We are talking about album folders in MacOS Photos app here. Before Catalina and iOS 13, it was possible to sync photos in folders, not just albums in the root. I did it for years. Don’t mislead people.

You may never have used folders but the majority of us have.

I have always had my photos albums filed in folders & even sub-folders in the Photos app on my various MAC computers. Since I don't want all of my photos on my iPhone or iPad, I would just check off which albums I wanted and they would sync perfectly to my devices. Once I installed Catalina, that stopped. Even though I could select which albums I wanted, it didn't sync them. In fact, it erased all of them on my devices.

Exactly @Patti. There is a real tendency on this thread to narrow the issue, but its actually quite a broad issue. I know it's unintentional - it's human nature to focus on one's own specific use case, however:

1) The problem with MacOS syncing is NOT just about subfolders - synchronisation is broken even when using, for example, Smart Albums directly under My Albums. By broken, I mean duplicates of some photos albums being synced incorrectly which haven't been changed since last sync etc.

2) The problem is NOT contained to Catalina. It was absolutely apparent when I synced MacOS Mojave with iOS13 devices.

Apple do not harvest bug details from this forum. If anyone wants to get information about the problem to Apple, then there are feedback links for the relevant Apple products further up this thread.

CB

I tested moving some albums out of folders and placing them immediately under "My Albums" as had been suggested much early in this thread and that worked. However, it was also mentioned that it worked and then didn't work the next time. Needless to say, I have not tried again on my iPhone and definitely have not plugged in my iPad.

I've also read here that Apple has put out an update for both Catalina & their iOS but neither fixed the syncing issue. I have not done those update, as yet, as I'm waiting for them to really address this issue. I have written directly to Apple, as well as spent time on the phone with them. Hopefully, if enough people make contact with them directly something will get done. Unfortunately, depending on who you speak to at Apple, they are either aware of the issue or have no clue.

Patti

So that I am clear with what you are doing, the attachment is how you are set up in Synology? Rather than actually having them on your iPhone or iPad, they are in the cloud so viewable in their app that is connected to your account in the cloud?

Not ideal but I will look into it based on your answers.

Thanks.

Yes this is how it’s planned but I don’t setup in synology (not sure is that a software?) but setup in Apple photos on macbook.

I’m having 2 TB iCloud Drive as well as 256 GB iPhone XS Max if this matters.

So I’m afraid that what I plan now for months and almost years doesn’t work :-(

I also need guidance in how many photos can upload to iCloud at the same time, giving that I have 60.000 and also live in China where internet stuck from time to time.

When does photos synchronize then, only when it’s active or also closed?

Thanks... Harry

Say what you want, but I know perfectly well what I could and could not do. I have always had the photos organized in folders and subfolders, but I have never been able to synchronize them (since my first iPhone, 3GS) and I had to create specific albums for iOS. And it has nothing to do with iOS 13. I have iOS 13 on iPad and iOS 12 on iPhone, and they behave the same way. The problem is Catalina

That's your experience, and others have different experiences.

Isn't that the whole idea of this platform, to learn from each other?

My problems arose during the Catalina/iOS13/iPhone11 upgrade, and sadly since I did them all at virtually the same time, I cannot be 100% sure which one is the culprit.

I have spoken to Apple on a few occasions and each time is a different story. (we're aware of the problem) (we've never heard of the problem) so clearly depending on the tech will depend on the outcome for each of us.

Like I said, hopefully Apple discovers the root of the problem and develops a solution soon.

Hello Harry, Synology is a hardware & software solution. It will clearly not be for everyone, but I found that it works for me personally (as well as my business).

If you're so inclined I would check out synology.com for their home solutions and see if it might help you.

As for Apple's current solution and the amount of photos and time you've invested, I would proceed with caution as not to frustrate yourself. (I know I have been very frustrated with them and in some cases it's been a waste of time).

Best of Luck!

@fabio_patrito If you put your findings together with mine, it does not point to Catalina being the sole problem.

My iOS 12 -> Mojave worked fine

My iOS 13 -> Mojave broken

My iOS 13 -> Catalina broken

Your iOS12 -> Catalina broken

Your iOS13 -> Catalina broken

The logic suggests that syncing of Photos is broken in BOTH iOS 13 and Catalina.

CB