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Level 1

31 points

Photos app stuck on "Restoring" Screen after Catalina Update

After updating my 2018 MacBook Pro to Catalina, I let the Photos app run the process of updating my photos library (which is slightly larger than 1TB). This process took just under 24 hours to run, so I was very happy when it finally finished running. However, the next time that I launched the Photos app, it just said "Restoring..." and a progress bar underneath at 0%. I have let it sit and it never progresses past 0%.

Beyond frustrated at this point that after updating my library for Many hours, I'm still unable to access my photos library. Please help!

MacBook Pro 15”, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 21, 2019 8:31 AM

Best reply

lindros2

Level 2

188 points

Posted on Dec 24, 2019 4:18 PM

This was, apparently, caused by a failed video upload from my Mac. It wasn't a large video file (88MB), but big enough that it corrupted my library's sync with iCloud. This is now the 50th problem I've had with iCloud Photos, and it's quite upsetting.

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79 replies

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Jan 6, 2020 2:55 PM in response to drpv

Try SenseOfLife's fix from this topic: Photos app stuck on "Restoring" Screen after Catalina Update

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Oct 21, 2019 9:16 AM in response to SenseOfLife

Force quit out of Photos and launch again. See if that will jumpstart the restoration process.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Jan 30, 2020 9:08 AM in response to vozniak

I don't know what topic you're referring to but the EHD should be formatted as shown in this screenshot and directly connected to your Mac via cable:

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Oct 21, 2019 10:55 AM in response to SenseOfLife

Try repairing the library: launch Photos with the Option + Command keys held down,. See if that can get thru the entire library.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Oct 21, 2019 1:48 PM in response to SenseOfLife

Don't know what's involved in the restoring process but it could be confirming faces, objects, grouping moments, etc.

SenseOfLife Author

Level 1

31 points

Oct 24, 2019 6:15 AM in response to Davekondus

Exactly what I was worried about happened. The next time I tried opening Photos, it was back to the Restoring screen. Apple really better be working on a fix to this problem!

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Oct 28, 2019 1:54 PM in response to samgy84

How is that external HD formatted and connected to your Mac?

samgy84

Level 1

4 points

Oct 28, 2019 3:03 PM in response to Old Toad

My external drive is connected by usb and is formatted to mac os extended

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Oct 28, 2019 3:56 PM in response to samgy84

That's how is should be.

SenseOfLife Author

Level 1

31 points

Oct 30, 2019 6:51 PM in response to SenseOfLife

One more update...I was very excited to see a Catalina update last night and did the update right away. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to fix this issue at all. Does Apple know this is a problem!?

Oct 31, 2019 9:20 PM in response to frostyswe

No time machine involvement on mine. Only thing on my external hard drive is Photos (the photo library). I have no time machine involvement with the photo library.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Nov 1, 2019 12:46 PM in response to big daddy 7

How is the external HD formatted and connected to your Mac?

What system and Photos versions are you running?

Dec 8, 2019 1:08 AM in response to SenseOfLife

I had same 0% message, but when I turned off real time Avira anti virus scanning the restoration process kicked into life and completed in minutes. Library 100Gb+

Dec 11, 2019 12:08 AM in response to SenseOfLife

How come I'm missing the "Ignore ownership on this volume" on my external drive?

Its formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled), connected through thunderbolt, RAID drive

Old Toad

Level 10

207,403 points

Dec 24, 2019 11:06 AM in response to company_doctor

I'd force quit Photos and then re-open it normally.

Photos app stuck on "Restoring" Screen after Catalina Update