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Photos

I managed to lose all of my photos. how do I restore them?

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 13, 2021 6:42 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 14, 2021 12:45 AM

Depends on how you lost them. If you accidentally deleted them, look in the recently deleted folder in photos app (assuming that is where they were). Do it now, because they'll only be there for 30 days.


Otherwise if you want more help, please answer the following:

  • What version of MacOS are you on.
  • How did this happen?
  • Have you upgraded MacOS (if so from which version) or changed machine? or some other event?
  • Where is the library stored (System drive or external drive)? If external - what is the format of the drive?
  • Is the library on a network drive or in some sort of cloud storage (EG Dropbox or NAS)?
  • Have you used any apps to remove duplicates, if so, which?
  • Have you used any "clean up" or "speed up" apps
  • Do you use Icloud to sync photos?
  • If so, do you have optimise local storage set?
  • Are your files imported into photos (photos preferences general) or left as referenced files?
  • How do you backup your Mac?
2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 14, 2021 12:45 AM in response to Bronco80

Depends on how you lost them. If you accidentally deleted them, look in the recently deleted folder in photos app (assuming that is where they were). Do it now, because they'll only be there for 30 days.


Otherwise if you want more help, please answer the following:

  • What version of MacOS are you on.
  • How did this happen?
  • Have you upgraded MacOS (if so from which version) or changed machine? or some other event?
  • Where is the library stored (System drive or external drive)? If external - what is the format of the drive?
  • Is the library on a network drive or in some sort of cloud storage (EG Dropbox or NAS)?
  • Have you used any apps to remove duplicates, if so, which?
  • Have you used any "clean up" or "speed up" apps
  • Do you use Icloud to sync photos?
  • If so, do you have optimise local storage set?
  • Are your files imported into photos (photos preferences general) or left as referenced files?
  • How do you backup your Mac?

Photos

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