You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Alf2001
Alf2001 Author
User level: Level 1
23 points

Photos in Catalina quits when I am asked to locate original image

Photos worked fine on an external disk that I replaced, so I moved my folder with all my photos (image files) back to my user directory and put the folder with all my photos (mostly in subfolders) and the Photos Library into my Pictures folder. Photos opens ok and all my albums are there, but when I click on a picture, Photos asks me to locate original image: when I do this, Photos unexpectantly quits. When I reopen Photos, the link to the particular image is now set, but same problem with any other image. I selected the correct Photos Library when opening by holding option key down. I also repaired Photos Library several times using option/command when opening. Zapping pram or resetting macmini by shutting down and disconnected power for 5 min. didn't help either. I assume there must be a corrupted preference but not sure where it is. I don't want to lose all the albums I organized in Photos (previously iPhotos a few years ago).

I also noticed a small file called "Photos Library.photoslibrary" (<1 KB) in my Pictures folder and not sure what it is. There are no other files on mac with name Photos Library

Using Macmini8,1 with 32 GB of RAM


Advice appreciated, THANKS

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Mar 20, 2021 12:11 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,757 points

Posted on Mar 21, 2021 1:17 AM


Alf2001 wrote:
...
Since disk storage space is much cheaper now then when I started using Photos' predecessors, I suppose I should switch to 'managed library'. I assume when I do that, that I may need to recreate all the albums that I created over the years in my 'reference' library approach. ...


The problem with referenced files started with Catalina and has not yet been fixed on the most recent system version macOS Big Sur. It is working as long as we never have to move the referenced files to a different volume, and as we sooner or later have to replace a failing drive, it is a disaster waiting to happen. It is really safer to switch to a managed library, if you now have enough free storage.


To save your albums, try the following:

  • Make sure, all original files are in folders that are named exactly as before.
  • Make sure, Photos has Full Disk Access and Access to Files & Folders (in the System Preferences > Security & Privacy")
  • Try to reconnect the originals. If you can reconnect an original use the command "File > Consolidate" to turn the reconnected original into a manger file.
  • You should now have a managed file in the album. Try to consolidate as many originals as possible.


View in context

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,757 points

Mar 21, 2021 1:17 AM in response to Alf2001


Alf2001 wrote:
...
Since disk storage space is much cheaper now then when I started using Photos' predecessors, I suppose I should switch to 'managed library'. I assume when I do that, that I may need to recreate all the albums that I created over the years in my 'reference' library approach. ...


The problem with referenced files started with Catalina and has not yet been fixed on the most recent system version macOS Big Sur. It is working as long as we never have to move the referenced files to a different volume, and as we sooner or later have to replace a failing drive, it is a disaster waiting to happen. It is really safer to switch to a managed library, if you now have enough free storage.


To save your albums, try the following:

  • Make sure, all original files are in folders that are named exactly as before.
  • Make sure, Photos has Full Disk Access and Access to Files & Folders (in the System Preferences > Security & Privacy")
  • Try to reconnect the originals. If you can reconnect an original use the command "File > Consolidate" to turn the reconnected original into a manger file.
  • You should now have a managed file in the album. Try to consolidate as many originals as possible.


Reply
User profile for user: Russ New Boy
Russ New Boy
User level: Level 4
1,150 points

Mar 20, 2021 3:45 PM in response to Alf2001

Hi,


It sounds as though you are using a 'reference' library rather than copying your photos into the library package itself, called a managed library (within preferences I'm guessing the box 'Copy Items to library' is not ticked). This is generally NOT recommended for a number of reasons. All of which are set out in this article.


https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250002591


I appreciate you do not want to lose the organisation of your photos. You can try relink the photos but this is likely to be a lengthy process and not guaranteed to be successful.


Your best bet is probably to create a new library and then import the files directly into the library package

Reply
User profile for user: Alf2001
Alf2001 Author
User level: Level 1
23 points

Mar 20, 2021 8:51 PM in response to Russ New Boy

Yes, you correctly surmised that I'm using 'reference' library approach. This was not that much of a problem before upgrading to Catalina.

Since disk storage space is much cheaper now then when I started using Photos' predecessors, I suppose I should switch to 'managed library'. I assume when I do that, that I may need to recreate all the albums that I created over the years in my 'reference' library approach. This could be a real hassle and time-sink?

thanks!

Reply

Photos in Catalina quits when I am asked to locate original image

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