local storage full - cannot update phone with Photos App

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local storage full - cannot update phone with Photos App

Hello, I have the 10.15.6 Catalina on my MacBook Air purchased in 2020. The photos app did not update with my new phone pics and videos because I got the message, storage full. So I deleted some files and the GarageBand app. I even checked the storage and the number of GB remaining increased from 9 GB to 12 GB. Why aren't my new (phone) files automatically uploading to the Photos App (they did so fine yesterday)? Thank you in advance. UPDATE: I checked again and my phone files did update.

Posted on Aug 20, 2021 7:40 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Christine Altieri Author

Level 1

143 points

Aug 21, 2021 9:06 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Thanks. I forgot I had duplicated all my Word and Excel files to the "Pictures" folder because they were not showing up in the "Local Drive" in both the Pictures and Documents folders. Can I confirm that only files from my phone go to the "cloud"? I don't use Word and Excel on my phone. Why are those files in the Cloud? Regardless, my Word and Excel docs were not showing up on my local hard drive (little house icon) folder so I copied them to the Pictures folder, hence the "storage full" message. I have deleted them now and have 26.64 GB remaining. So I'm taking a chance that they my Word and Excel files are all safe in the cloud. So confused. I never changed the default for the "Save To" location (I'm guessing the default was there when I purchased the computer), so all my pictures and docs were saving in the Documents folder. Please see 2 screenshots below. Thank you!

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Answer 2

Aug 21, 2021 1:34 AM in response to Christine Altieri

12GB is barely enough just to run the system. You are going to have constant ongoing issues with space on your mac.

You might have to bite the bullet, and move your library to an external drive:

If you do move to an external volume, follow the instructions in the link below, paying particular attention to the drive format:

It must be formatted APFS or MacOS extended (journaled) (preferred for spinning drives) and not case sensitive.

It Must not be (or have been) used for time machine. (A time machine drive can be used if re-formatted)

It must be able to have the 'ignore ownership" checkbox ticked.

It should not be on a memory stick, SD or similar.

It must also not be a network drive (a direct connection is required - eg USB or Thunderbolt). File sharing services such as iCloud Drive, Drop box, Onedrive etc are not compatible with Photos libraries.

If you can afford it, get an SSD for best performance.

See

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201517

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Answer 3

Aug 21, 2021 10:00 AM in response to Christine Altieri

Hi

Only pictures in the photos app are synced to iCloud photos, and then only the pictures in your system library (if you have more than one - and it seems you do)

Then there is iCloud drive. This will sync everything in the iCloud drive folder plus if you have selected it, the Desktop and Documents folders.

Have a look in your iCloud drive options. Do you have Desktop and Documents selected?

NOTE

iCloud is always a sync service - it is not a backup. If you delete files in your mac folders that are synced to iCloud - they will be deleted in iCloud also.

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Answer 4

Aug 21, 2021 10:35 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Thanks!! It was not checked!! I did that now and it was added to my Desktop and some other location that I cannot recall. I selected Yes or OK and forgot what I was giving permission for. Should I move the folder elsewhere? You're so helpful!! Thanks again.

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Answer 5

Aug 21, 2021 10:51 AM in response to Christine Altieri

Hi

Don't move the folders. I wasn't saying you should check the checkbox - only if you want to sync your documents and desktop to iCloud - bear in mind you only need to do that if you want to sync those folders to other devices.

It is NOT a way of moving stuff off your mac - anything synced with iCloud has to be on your mac as well.

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Answer 6

Aug 21, 2021 11:02 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Understood. The only reason I asked if I should move the folder is because someone told me that your computer takes longer to boot up if there are a lot of files on your desktop. More importantly, I can now see my files in the Local drive!!!! If you recall, I could not before. I am so grateful, thank you!

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Answer 7

Aug 21, 2021 9:19 AM in response to TonyCollinet

I put this in a separate post

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local storage full - cannot update phone with Photos App

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