iPhotos and iCloud

Question

iPhotos and iCloud

how do I find if I have another photo library? I do not see all of my photos across devices. I have adequate iCloud storage so I suspect that some scans went somewhere unusual.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Oct 5, 2021 11:55 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

TonyCollinet

Level 7

24,068 points

Oct 5, 2021 1:50 PM in response to TransparentArt

Hold down the option key while starting photos. The resulting pane should list all your libraries, and tell you which is your system library (the one currently syncing with iCloud).

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Answer 2

Oct 6, 2021 1:31 PM in response to TransparentArt

What does it say on your mac? If it says "updated just now" on your mac, then the sync is completed, and everything in your mac system library is in iCloud and should be on your other devices. If it doesn't, then the sync from your mac is still ongoing.

However have a look for an "unable to upload" folder in Photos.

Also create a smart album with the rule - "Photo - Is unable to upload to iCloud photos"

Is there anything shown in either of those locations?

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Answer 3

Oct 5, 2021 3:51 PM in response to TransparentArt

Hi

Are the scans appearing in your photos app, on your laptop? Is your one library set as the system library?

Are other photos syncing between your laptop and your phone (both directions). Are you using iCloud to sync?

The sync process is slow. If you have a large library, and it is carrying out a full sync of everything, this can take days or weeks even on a fast library.

What does the sync status say at the bottom of the all photos view? here is mine - updated just now:

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Answer 4

Oct 6, 2021 3:40 PM in response to TransparentArt

I'm thinking if there is no status at the bottom of all photos, then there is no syncing going on.

First check that the library is set as the system library (the circled button should be greyed out. (Photos preferences). If not, click it.

Then check icloud settings are as shown.

Also make sure you have enough iCloud space for your whole library, and lots of free space on your mac and phone.

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Answer 5

Oct 6, 2021 9:06 AM in response to TransparentArt

I found out that the problem is that I have Mohave and need to upgrade my system software to have the syncing issue resolved.

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Answer 6

Oct 6, 2021 4:32 PM in response to TonyCollinet

in photos prefs it says iCloud features for photos are only avail in the system Photo library

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Answer 7

Oct 6, 2021 10:45 PM in response to TransparentArt

They are the two tabs of the photos preferences pane.

When in photos, menu photos>preferences.

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Answer 8

Oct 6, 2021 10:46 PM in response to TransparentArt

You need to click the circled button in photos>preferences (from within the photos app)

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Answer 9

Oct 6, 2021 12:09 PM in response to TransparentArt

I doubt that mohave is the problem.

I think the sync is just onoing (you haven't told me what the status says).

If I'm correct, then it can take a long time. Days, or even weeks, for a large library. Going into town for a better connection for a couple of hours won't help.

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Answer 10

Oct 5, 2021 2:16 PM in response to TonyCollinet

Thank you. Nice to know about this. However I only have the one library. Might you have another suggestion as to why I do not see the scans that I did on my laptop but cannot see on my phone? They were scanned two months ago. I have a slow internet connection (fromVerizon called a Jetpack but have been in places with proper Wifi in the last couple of months)

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Answer 11

Oct 6, 2021 7:54 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Thank you so much. The scans are appearing in iphotos on my laptop. I don't know how to tell if my one library is set as the system library other than I did do you you suggested to hold down option while starting iPhotos and I selected it.

yes other photos are syncing back and forth. I am using iCloud to sync.

I am thinking that when I reset iCloud I was at a good internet connection and it worked for the most recent stuff and I thought all was good until I got home and saw that those scans were only on my laptop still. I will go back into town and find a better connection. Unless you think there is an additional factor.

thanks AGAIN

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Answer 12

Oct 6, 2021 12:22 PM in response to TonyCollinet

Oh my goodness. I forgot to say that it does say "updated just now" on my iPad and iPhone when I check.

I have a friend with fiber optics. if the library only has 10,000 or so images that have subsequently been added to by 500 or so but refiled in folders, maybe another 500 images or so, do you think it might take more than a few hours? I realize that depends on the image sizes but they are not more than a MB usually, no RAW.

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Answer 13

Oct 6, 2021 2:04 PM in response to TonyCollinet

Nothing is in the unable to upload folder

143 photo show up when I type into smart folder title Photo is unable to upload". They all are marked as favorites. But none of them are the scans that I originally looked for on the phone and pad that weren't there.

there is no indication at the bottom of the screen in photos on my laptop to indicate timing. only how many photos and videos are there.

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Answer 14

Oct 6, 2021 3:08 PM in response to TransparentArt

I am at a friends fiber optic. connection now. Is there s way I can tell if the syncing is taking place from my laptop to iCloud? have been connected for 10 minutes and the number of phots and videos has not changed in iPhoto

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Answer 15

Oct 6, 2021 4:38 PM in response to TransparentArt

I do not see these screens with Mohave.10.14.6

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