can't find photos library to upload

Question

Level 1

8 points

can't find photos library to upload

Something must have changed during an update. When I want to upload a photo to a website, I cannot find the path to locate my photo library anymore. It no longer shows up under pictures (just brings a few random photos but not my entire library) and searching the rest of the folders it is not there including under photos (is blank).

My photos library can be opened and is accessible on its own, but I am just not finding it when the window opens for upload (in the screenshot attached)....does this make sense? The library location says that it should be under Pictures, yet it is NOT!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 26, 2021 10:43 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

TonyCollinet

Level 7

24,050 points

Jan 26, 2021 1:03 PM in response to shannon3hh

Hi

You need to be clicking the photos icon in the media section, bottom left of your screenshot.

This will show the contents of your system library. I see the photos library in your pictures folder is zero bytes. Where is your photos library stored? And is it set as the system library?

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 27, 2021 8:13 AM in response to shannon3hh

OK - Just to confirm. With the photos app open, and all your images showing. If you go to preferences - general tab, where does it say the photo library is (Full path)

I'm confirming, because in your screenshot it is showing the library there as zero bytes. Which is not possible if it is showing your pictures.

Reply

Answer 3

Jan 27, 2021 12:04 PM in response to shannon3hh

In the box you show you need to click the camera icon I clipped from it. Not the photos library in pictures. Bottom left.

Reply

Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

215,778 points

Jan 27, 2021 9:51 AM in response to shannon3hh

Make sure your Photos library is designated the System Photo Library in Photos' General preference pane:

Reply

Answer 5

Jan 28, 2021 4:52 AM in response to shannon3hh

OK - then I'm out of ideas.

As a workaround, you can export the images to a folder, and then upload from there. Not so convenient, but the extra step doesn't take much time.

Reply

Answer 6

Old Toad

Level 10

215,778 points

Jan 27, 2021 2:06 PM in response to shannon3hh

Have you installed or run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up" or anti-virus apps on your Mac?

Reply

Answer 7

shannon3hh Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 27, 2021 8:27 AM in response to TonyCollinet

I appreciate your help! I don't understand what I could be missing. Plus this was not a problem until recently and I did not deliberately change anything.

With the photo app open and my photos showing:

Reply

Answer 8

shannon3hh Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 27, 2021 10:32 AM in response to TonyCollinet

No. The top photo I shared is the box that comes up when I am trying to upload, and when I click Photos there, there is nothing. and when I search through every other possible folder there is no photo library.

When not uploading, I can open the photo library....and the second photo I shared shows the path to get there and that it is my System Photo Library in the Photos general preference pane.

Reply

Answer 9

shannon3hh Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 27, 2021 1:24 PM in response to Old Toad

That is the problem that I don't understand. I used to be able to upload that way but now when I click there, my photos do not show up. This screenshot was 15 minutes after I clicked on photos, still no images, jus says loading images and they never come. I don't know what was changed to screw this up.

Reply

Answer 10

shannon3hh Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 27, 2021 5:04 AM in response to TonyCollinet

When I click on the photos icon, nothing comes up. My photos library says it is located in Pictures, but the button Use as system library is faded so I cant click it. I don't know what else to do.

Reply