Error Message on Photos (Can't send, open, etc.)

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Level 1

8 points

Error Message on Photos (Can't send, open, etc.)

Every time I go to load a photo in my library or Airdrop it from my Macbook Air (2020) to my IPhone 11, I receive an error message. In the bottom right of the video or picture there is the cloud shape with an exclamation point. After I try to send the image or video, the following message comes up:

"The operation couldn’t be completed. (PHAssetExportRequestErrorDomain error 3.)"

My computer/software is updated to Big Sur 11.1 (20C69) and my storage space seems to be fine. On iCloud I have 99.8/200GB free. On my Mac I have 4.36 GB of 121.02 GB free. Of that, 17.4 GB are documents, 12.74 are apps, 5.02 are messages, 15.05 is the system, and 66.57 is other. I also have no idea how there is 66 GB worth of "other" data being used on my flash storage.

I have tried recovering and repairing my photo library. It ran it's course and that didn't work either. I tried playing a video, like one user suggested, and that also didn't fix the issue and cause the media to load.

Can anyone help me with this? Ever since the updated to the last version of High Sierra plus new Big Sur it just hasn't worked properly.

Posted on Dec 29, 2020 10:55 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

TonyCollinet

Level 7

23,972 points

Dec 31, 2020 10:10 AM in response to brenna231

Hi

I am guessing you have optimise mac storage set (since the icloud library is nearly as big as your mac drive). The problem you are experiencing is because photos cannot download the full size image from icloud for whatever operation you want to do - possibly because you have so little free space on your mac. You either need to free up some space, or perhaps move your library to an external drive.

Regarding the 66GB of other - do you use time machine or have you used it in the past? If so is the time machine volume connected, and backups taking place?

Regarding moving to an external drive - if you decide to do that, make sure it is properly prepared as described here:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201517

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Answer 2

Jeff_W.

Community Specialist

Dec 31, 2020 7:58 AM in response to brenna231

Hi brenna231,

We see you're having an issue with Photos on your MacBook Air. In this case, based on the troubleshooting you've already done we would recommend that you reach out for additional support here: Get Support

Take care.

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Answer 3

brenna231 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 2, 2021 8:08 PM in response to TonyCollinet

Thank you, Tony! Yes, everything is optimized and my trash and downloads were empty. I cleared out my cache file in the library and that seemed to create enough space to download the full images. I haven't used time machine in the past, but I did get in touch with Apple Support and decided, as you suggested, to buy an external drive to help my computer free up some space and run properly.

Thanks so much for your help!

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Answer 4

Jan 2, 2021 11:41 PM in response to brenna231

You are welcome 🙂

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Error Message on Photos (Can't send, open, etc.)

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