images not showing in desktop background app for macbook air m1

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Level 1

34 points

images not showing in desktop background app for macbook air m1

I have a new MacBook Air M1 2020 running latest version of BigSur. When I go to the Change Desktop Background app and I choose a sub-folder from the “Photos” folder using the menu on the left side of the screen, no pictures appear to be in the selected folder. To make it more perplexing, there are pictures in the other sub-folders both inside the same folder and there are pictures in other folders, .i.e stock photos that come with BigSur, available in the Change Desktop Background app. Also, via the Photos App, I can still view photos in the sub-folders that appear empty in the Change Desktop Background App.

Does anyone have a solution?

MacBook Air

Posted on Mar 3, 2021 11:32 AM

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Answer 1

lrossga Author

Level 1

34 points

Mar 4, 2021 9:03 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Response to your questions...

I am using macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 (20D80)
Yes Optimize Storage is checked "Completed" in iCloud photos
my library is stored in iCloud. So as a test, I selected one image which is showing in my Photos app, right-clicked, and chose import. After a minute or two, I received this message: "cocoa error-1"
Yes, I do have "copy items to library" checked in preferences.

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Answer 2

Mar 4, 2021 9:57 AM in response to lrossga

Hi

You also have a local library on your mac - if you look in preferences general tab, that will tell you where it is stored. My guess is the photos you are trying to access have had the masters removed from your mac where some of the other folders haven't.

That cocoa error is suggesting the photos app can't get to the original for some reason.

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Answer 3

lrossga Author

Level 1

34 points

Mar 6, 2021 10:50 AM in response to TonyCollinet

How about this....

Also, I had the idea to check the "Favorites" folder showing on the "Desktop and Screen Saver" screen. When I clicked the "Favorites" folder several images that I know are in the Favorites folder appeared, however, over half of the images I also know are in that folder did not appear. I decided to go back to the Photos app, and select the "Favorites" folder. When I did, I found that all of my images that should be in that folder were showing, including the images not displayed when I was looking at the "Desktop and Screen Saver" screen. While I was looking at the "Favorites" folder in the "Photos" app, I compared the "Information" detail on the images that appeared only in the "Photos" app with the images that appeared in the "Photos" app but did appear in the Favorites" folder on the Desktop and Screen Saver screen.

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Answer 4

lrossga Author

Level 1

34 points

Mar 3, 2021 4:12 PM in response to TonyCollinet

My screen looks different from yours...

Please note that the selected folder "Charlie" is full of images, but as you can see, none are appearing on the screen. Also, as I said before the other folders both above and below "Charlie" show the images that are saved in those folders.

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 5

Mar 4, 2021 12:29 AM in response to lrossga

OK - what version of MacOS are you using?

Do you use iCloud photos - if so, have you selected "optimise Mac Storage"?

Is your library stored on your system drive, or on an external drive?

Do you have "copy items to library" checked in preferences?

I notice you have two people with the same name in your people album. That is a recipe for confusion, do they both have pictures in when you view them in Photos app? Can you change one or both of the names (eg by adding surname initial).

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