Photos albums don't sync - MacOS Catalina using Finder

I recently upgraded to MacOS Catalina (10.15.3) and I found that while some photos and albums will sync using Finder, that not ALL albums will sync. It took a while to figure out that any album located in a Photos Sub-Folder (off the top "root" level) will NOT sync. Albums must be in the top level. Finder sees the sub-folders and albums, allows them to be checked, and then after syncing completes indicates that these albums have synced to the device. However, checking on the device, they have NOT. Eject and re-connect the device, then Finder correctly shows that the sub-folder albums did NOT sync. This problem occurs with all 3 of my devices: iPhone 6+ (IOS 12.4.5), iPad gen4 (IOS 10.3.3.), and a new 2019 iPad gen6 (IOS 13.3.1) so I feel certain it is NOT an IOS problem, and IS a Catalina problem. Not sure how something like this is missed in product testing of an OS for this many version releases, and especially how it was not found in regression testing if not in design. My workaround is, for any photo album one wants synced to a device using Finder, go into Mac Photos and move the album to the top ("root") level, then sync. This of course defeats the purpose of being able to organize albums in folders (of which I have numerous!), so I hope Apple is working on the fix for this sub-folder sync problem (and the other Finder sync problems) to be released in Catalina 10.15.4.

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 15, 2020 11:47 AM

Reply

Similar questions

2 replies

Mar 16, 2020 7:35 AM in response to LSFyre

LSFyre wrote:

I recently upgraded to MacOS Catalina (10.15.3) and I found that while some photos and albums will sync using Finder, that not ALL albums will sync. It took a while to figure out that any album located in a Photos Sub-Folder (off the top "root" level) will NOT sync. Albums must be in the top level.

My workaround is, for any photo album one wants synced to a device using Finder, go into Mac Photos and move the album to the top ("root") level, then sync.
—This of course defeats the purpose of being able to organize albums in folders (of which I have numerous!), s
— I hope Apple is working on the fix for this sub-folder sync problem (and the other Finder sync problems) to be released in Catalina 10.15.4.



The best you can do here is submit your UX with macOS UI —


Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback


Feedback assistant to file bug reports: https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/welcome


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Photos albums don't sync - MacOS Catalina using Finder

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.