Level 1

34 points

Monterey: images no longer loading in text messages

Since upgrading to Monterey on my MacBook Pro (2020), images no longer automatically load on incoming Messages. Is there a known fix for this issue?

Thanks in advance.

Posted on Nov 3, 2021 6:05 AM

Top-ranking reply

Eman25000

Level 1

10 points

Posted on Feb 15, 2022 9:57 AM

BINGO!! I've had this issue since I got my 14" M1 Pro MacBook Pro in October. THIS THREAD SOLVED MY ISSUE! After creating my admin account, I changed the capitalization of the username. Example: book > Book. After reading this thread, I know this is what caused the error. I am clearly listing the instructions (helps me to see it this way). To fix the iMessage glitch:

Note: If the affected account is an admin account, you must create a second admin account and log into that to complete the following:

In Finder, locate your Home folder in Macintosh HD>Users. Ensure the name of this folder is what you want the Home folder to be called. Right click and rename if desired (no spaces!).
Go to User Groups in System Preferences.
Right click the affected account > Advanced Options
Change Account name to match the Home folder name exactly. (Full name field is unrelated and can be whatever you want)
Next to Home directory, select Browse to locate and choose the Home folder.
Click OK. Restart Mac. Done.

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34 replies

K P R Author

Level 1

34 points

Nov 4, 2021 5:25 PM in response to ASTRO24

Howdy, ASTRO24,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, that did not work. I'm running Monterey 12.0.1. The issue started immediately after I updated to that OS yesterday. I've attached a screenshot below, showing what I see. The image will open if I click the icon, but it will not simply show as an image in the message thread.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide.

Nov 24, 2021 5:01 AM in response to K P R

I'm experiencing the same issue issue K P R describes above. I contacted Apple Support on November 2 and worked with them intensely through November 4. Engineering had many questions and requested a lot of data from my MacBook Pro which was uploaded. I'm planning to give them a month before contacting them on December 4. I'll report back here if I learn something of value.

My system...

MacBook Pro 16-inch, 2021

Model Identifier. MacBookPro18,2

Processor Apple M1 Max

Memory 32 GB

Macintosh HD. 1TB, APFS

Operating System macOS 12.0.1

Nov 24, 2021 1:31 PM in response to K P R

Thank you for updating this thread with your experience with Apple Support.

I have gone through the process of creating a new user. Unfortunately, the same issue is present. Please let me know your experience.

Another manifestation of the same issue on my machine is that photos in the Photos app shared via Messages show as just a placeholder icon in Messages. On the other hand, photos shared using the photo picker in Messages show up as they should in the app. Odd for sure...

K P R Author

Level 1

34 points

Nov 24, 2021 2:09 PM in response to Lew_In_VT

Lew_In_VT-

Interesting observation on outcomes using the photo picker. I get the same result as you... the images appear as they should when using that method, but not if shared through another app or simply dragged into the Messages field. Odd indeed. I will send a note back to the engineer on that.

Dec 1, 2021 8:34 AM in response to K P R

I'm glad I finally found a thread that was experiencing the same exact thing as me. I've tried searching for everything since the new update to Monterey and have found nothing until today. I hope they can get it fixed soon because it's annoying to have to double click on the photo if I don't have my phone near me.

Feb 6, 2022 7:54 PM in response to jrajasa

You are welcome. if able to show pics or explain how you did it it might help others. Account name and directory have to be changed as well? Note that I resolved via reinstalling, your solution is way more elegant.

Arcair

Level 1

8 points

Feb 19, 2022 8:23 AM in response to Eman25000

Amazing! This worked for me too. Admittedly I was a bit nervous messing with changing system settings, but the process was quite easy. Your detailed instructions helped, For clarification, the "home folder" is your main folder that typically is your full name (no spaces). I simply renamed it with a capital letter in my first name. I could not change the name of the Admin Home Folder, so that was a helpful process of elimination for me. Restarted and logged back in to my main account, and BOOM, all the images in iMessage now appear!

One quick question: Is it safe to delete that Admin Guest account? I am guessing no, but curious if it's okay to delete it now?

Thanks everyone for this helpful string. Even though Apple Tech Support couldn't figure it out (after multiple times talking to senior engineers), glad for this forum that helped solve the issue.

K P R Author

Level 1

34 points

Nov 5, 2021 8:46 AM in response to ASTRO24

ASTRO24,

Thanks. Will do.

Dnione

Level 1

8 points

Dec 8, 2021 7:27 PM in response to K P R

any news on a fix for this? news 12.1 update does not seem to fix the issue.

Dec 17, 2021 10:57 AM in response to K P R

Same for me, I am already at 12.1but still do not see the images in Messages. Double-click works, but come on...

Dec 28, 2021 7:00 AM in response to Arcair

@Arcair...

Did you happen to read my message just above yours? It might be worth giving my fix a try...after a couple of backups, of course.

Jan 6, 2022 12:28 PM in response to K P R

Same issue here, 6 January Sr support, screen sharing no solution. Monterey 12.1 installed.

Feb 4, 2022 6:42 AM in response to K P R

done

PS002

Level 1

8 points

Feb 7, 2022 9:56 AM in response to Beisarius

Wow! this worked for me! Thank you so much. I capitalize the user folder and BAM... pictures started to show up on all imessages.

Feb 7, 2022 6:41 PM in response to CMCMC

sadly, i spent hours with Apple support, L1 L2 support, red arrown screen sharing, absolute no conneciton between issue and the resolution. They could not figure it out.

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Monterey: images no longer loading in text messages