MacOS Monterey - Messages app on macbook not opening images or playing live photos

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Level 1

5 points

MacOS Monterey - Messages app on macbook not opening images or playing live photos

Since I've upgraded to Monterey, the Messages app no longer enlarges images by double clicking.

Still Images: If I double click a still image it is opened in a very small window (actually smaller than in the display of the Messages app) and I have to click on the "Open with Preview" button to see the image larger. This means if I am sent an album of still images, I have to do this operation for each an every image. It used to open an elarged preview with right/left arrows at the top and I could just scroll through the images contained within that chat message.

Live Images: This is just broken. If I am sent a live image, double clicking on it from my macbook Messages app does absolutely nothing. Muy only option appears to be SAVING it to iPhoto. I do not want to do this, I just want to view it, and "play" the live photo. Why would I want to save it before knowing what it contains? It used to open a playable, enlarged preview and if I hovered my mouse on the live icon, the image would play with sound. Now I can't view these at all. :(

How can I change the functionality of Messages on my M1 macbook to behave as it previously did with images? I receive a handful of images from my childcare provider every day and this is a serious bummer for me throughout my day. Thanks

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Nov 9, 2021 1:21 PM

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Answer 1

K P R

Level 1

34 points

Nov 15, 2021 7:33 AM in response to kateri_zero

I just had my follow-up call with Apple Support. No solution yet. They reiterated that it is a known issue. They said that the problem does not appear if the individual sets up a "Guest" user on their machine and logs in on that account. They suggested that the issue may be resolved if I set up a new Admin account on my Mac and use that login going forward. That sounds like a very long way around a small issue so I am not going to do that. The rep said it is likely that the issue will be resolved in the next Monterey update. She contacted engineering and will let me know if a solution surfaces.

So... status quo for the time being.

MacBook Pro 13-inch, 2020

2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5

Monterey 12.0.1

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Answer 2

K P R

Level 1

34 points

Nov 24, 2021 1:25 PM in response to kateri_zero

I've had a couple follow-up sessions with the engineers. Uploaded user logs and attempted repopulating various Library folders, to no avail. While unproven, the engineer reiterated that if I establish a new admin account, migrate everything over to that account and use it going forward, the problem should disappear. I will post here if I go down that road.

Macbook Pro 13" 2020

Intel Core i5

Monterey 12.0.1

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Answer 3

K P R

Level 1

34 points

Nov 12, 2021 12:58 PM in response to kateri_zero

I've got the same issue. Images not appearing in Messages after upgrading to Monterey. I spent time on the phone with Apple Support. It's a known issue, but no solution yet. They walked me through signing out of iCloud and back in again, deleting all login items, running Disk Utility in Safe Mode, and eventually reinstalling Monterey in Recovery mode. Nothing worked.

I've got a follow-up call scheduled for Monday. I'll post a solution if something comes out of that.

MacBook Pro 13-inch, 2020

2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5

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Answer 4

kateri_zero Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 9, 2021 1:25 PM in response to kateri_zero

Same problem exists with movies, too within Messages app. Now I have to click "Open with Quicktime"... instead of just playing it in an enlarged window. booo. :(

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MacOS Monterey - Messages app on macbook not opening images or playing live photos

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