ImageConversionService does what?

What does com.apple.photos.ImageConversionService doing even it Photos is closed? Mostly curios, but does slow my late 2012 iMacMine down!

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 22, 2021 7:14 PM

Similar questions

Since Ventura update I cannot import photos. I recently got the Ventura update on my intel based Mac. I am unable to import photos from SD card to my photos library that is on an external drive. I've been reading that some people are having similar but not quite the same issue as me... I tried just about everything. Restarting. Disconnect/reconnect. Disk utility unmount/mount. Change photos directory.
6107 13
Wallpaper reverting on macOS Ventura I recently updated to macOS Ventura and I am trying to set a custom wallpaper from a JPEG photo. I have tried the following approaches: Through Finder: right-clicked on a photo and chose 'Set as Desktop Picture' Through System Settings: selected a photo from my Downloads folder (auto-rotate is not turned on) Through System settings: selected a photo from my iCloud photo library (auto-rotate is not turned on) In each case, my Mac reverts to a default photo within a matter of minutes. The source photo was not changed (i.e., it was not deleted or edited from my local files or from the iCloud photo library). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
9129 7
Ventura Behavior Changed: Photos Upload Dialog - Can't See Folders and Albums, only the entire Library. When I attempt to upload photos to Smugmug via its Web interface, I click "browse this computer" and a Finder-ish dialog pops up. Prior to Ventura, when I click on "Photos" under "Media" in the left side pane, it would bring up a new pane that had at the top, the Apple Photos color-wheel icon, with a dropdown that showed my Apple Photos Folder and Album structure. I could navigate to a Photos Folder / Album, select the photos from that album I wanted and they would upload. Now in Ventura, the behavior changed. In Ventura when I click "browse this computer" on the same Smugmug interface, the Finder-ish dialog pop-up still shows "Photos" under "Media", but I do not have the option of navigating through my Apple Photos Folders and Albums. I only see a view equivalent to Library / Photos in Apple Photos. There is a blue folder saying Photos at the top, no color-wheel, and no Folder/Album structure, and no way to navigate to a particular Album in Apple Photos. I want to see the Folder / Album information so I can easily find the photos I have already organized into albums and not have to pick through my entire library. I have tried Safari and Chrome with the same result. How can this functionality be restored in Ventura?
2552 42

3 replies

léonie

Level 10

201,823 points

Dec 22, 2021 9:52 PM in response to Prairie Falcon

As far as I can tell, this service is creating previews for the Media Browser in a more compatible format. For example, in my Photos Library it JPEGs from the HEIC files that have been imported from my iPhone and iPad, also from the HEIC files I imported from other apps. If you convert your TIFFs and JPEGs to the space saving HEIC format to save storage, Photos will create additional JPEGS (on High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina), so your library will be larger than before.

Sometimes you can see, what the ImageConversionService or VideoConversionService are currently working on, if you copy and paste one of these commands into a new Terminal window:

open $TMPDIR/com.apple.photos.ImageConversionService

open $TMPDIR/com.apple.photos.VideoConversionService

These commands open a hidden temporary storage area, where background processes are saving temporary data. Just look, don't delete anything there.

Dec 23, 2021 6:20 AM in response to léonie

Well, inquiring minds want to know! So thanks much.

léonie

Level 10

201,823 points

Dec 23, 2021 6:27 AM in response to Prairie Falcon

You're welcome, Prairy Falcon 😊

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

ImageConversionService does what?

Welcome to Apple Support Community

A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.

Learn more Sign up