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I already imported my photos, so why when I click on them it says missing file?

Importing to Photo - I already imported several photos from my camera SD card, so why when I click on them it says missing file? Surely it keeps a copy of the file in the library?


iMac 21.5″, macOS 11.4

Posted on Jul 9, 2021 12:35 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 10, 2021 3:20 PM

You are not copying photos into the library. That means photos expects to find the file where it was when you imported it. (A so called referenced library)


If you have disconnected the device that it was on or otherwise moved or deleted the file, photos no longer has access to that file.


So yes - check the box.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 10, 2021 3:20 PM in response to duncan112

You are not copying photos into the library. That means photos expects to find the file where it was when you imported it. (A so called referenced library)


If you have disconnected the device that it was on or otherwise moved or deleted the file, photos no longer has access to that file.


So yes - check the box.

I already imported my photos, so why when I click on them it says missing file?

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