Photos Export unknown error (256)

Question

Level 1

16 points

Photos Export unknown error (256)

I have recently upgraded to macOS Catalina 10.15.1 on my new iMac. Trying to Export some photos in my library to my desktop and can't either as an unmodified photo or just as a photo. I get Export complete with Errors. 0 (of 1) files have been exported. The export operation failed to create a file for the photo identified below: IMG_2843.jpeg. Unknown error (256). Any suggestions? Can't seem to export anything right now but I exported photos successfully on Oct. 28. Makes no sense.

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 31, 2019 3:26 PM

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Answer 1

ma_no

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2019 4:16 AM in response to Maryp.frompa

I have the same problem, but error message is "unknown error (4)". I can't export photos or files from Apple Photo on Mac Book Pro. Unplugging my devices, shutting down and restarting hasn't solved the problem. :-/

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Answer 2

Maryp.frompa Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 6, 2019 6:57 AM in response to Ken McEwen

Working for me, too! I didn't even restart my iMac. Checked this morning and tried every way I could think of, from Photos and My Photo Stream, and they exported just fine!! I did photos from my Canon 6D Mark II, and photos from my iPhone. All worked. Apple must of fixed some bug but it still shows version 10.15.1. When it was not working, I did re-start my iMac several times as that is always the first line of attack when there is a problem! Thanks for your reply and glad we are all OK again.

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Answer 3

Nov 5, 2019 11:54 AM in response to Maryp.frompa

Exactly the same here. Cannot export any photographs as it comes up with the error 256 every time I try. I have quit Photos, logged out and logged in... all to no avail. Yet, another account on the same iMac exports as usual. Like you I am on macOS Catalina 10.15.1.

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Answer 4

Nov 10, 2019 9:57 AM in response to Maryp.frompa

I just discovered the same issue after scanning and importing old family photos. Then noticed it won't export any photos including those just taken on my iPhone. I am in Catalina 10.15.1 on a mid 2014 MacBook Pro. restarting multiple times has not resolved the problem.

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Answer 5

bausi

Level 1

23 points

Dec 10, 2019 11:17 AM in response to Maryp.frompa

I'm facing a different issue since updating to 10.15. After having an uptime for about 3 days, i'm not able to write or delete to my Desktop. It simply behaves like it is an read only folder. I tried to export an image from Photos to the desktop and suddenly I got the 256 error. I checked the Console and it said something like

Export of item 260B3BEC-C13A-48FA-BA18-5099C785FE23 failed to coordinate writing to <private>, error <private>

so I guess, it has to do with this issue. I tried to export the Downloads folder - no problem.

Every-time reproducible and restarting fixes the issue with the writing permissions on the Desktop, so it implicitly fixes the export issue as well(for me at least…)

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Answer 6

Maryp.frompa Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 5, 2019 6:40 PM in response to Ken McEwen

Nice to know I’m not alone. You have a new iMac/.

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Answer 7

Nov 6, 2019 3:58 AM in response to Maryp.frompa

Working again after another restart of the iMac. Exporting is OK... touch wood.

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Answer 8

Maryp.frompa Author

Level 1

16 points

Nov 10, 2019 10:02 AM in response to Kathryn-L

Bummer! I didn’t try. My MacBook Pro. I’ll try it to see if it works. That is about hold old my MacBook is. I restarted and did the obvious tests, but one day it worked. Crazy.

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Answer 9

Nov 10, 2019 10:26 AM in response to Maryp.frompa

Okay, the mysteries of technology...I tried again, this time totally shutting down-not just a restart or logout. At present, things appear to be back to normal. Thanks.

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