Importing old photos on a Mac, but excluding them from view in an iOS library - possible?

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8 points

Importing old photos on a Mac, but excluding them from view in an iOS library - possible?

Hope you guys can help with this Photos query.

Basically I've attached an external drive with 1000s of old photos and imported them into the OSX Photos app. The aim is for OSX Photos to analyse them, detect faces then a) include these photos in memories video and b) make them searchable on my iOS devices (this is the key bit).

Basically I'm trying to replicate Google Photos functionality.

I tried an initial import of about 5000 photos into OSX Photos, and it worked fine - faces began scanning. Great. However.... when I checked my iPhone, my 'Recents' album grew by 5000 photos, some appearing before current snaps, and others appearing after.

This is problematic for me as I use the Recents album to check photos I've taken recently, and dont want to see snaps take in 2010 in there.

Is there any way to run this import, sync via iCloud Photos and NOT see the imported ones in 'Recent'? I just want them in cloud album / folder for occasional access

Hope this makes sense! Thanks

Posted on Jun 14, 2022 8:08 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 16, 2022 12:28 AM in response to liamski

Hi

It is not possible to exclude the photos from the recents folder. That folder always contains photos used or added recently.

However since your main lirbray is alwasy stored in order of capture date, you can also find pictures you have taken most recently at the bottom of the library view on your phone.

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Answer 2

Jun 15, 2022 10:25 AM in response to liamski

Hey liamski,

To make sure we understand, are you not wanting to see the photos you recently imported in the Recents album? It is expected that when you import photos, they do appear in Recents. It may be a good idea to review the following article on how you can Organize and find your photos on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

We hope this provides you with the info you’re looking for.

Take care.

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Answer 3

R_Gabriel

Community Specialist

Jun 15, 2022 9:53 AM in response to liamski

Hey there, and welcome to Apple Support Communities liamski,

We would like to ask you a couple of questions in order to get a better understanding. First, what exact version of iOS and macOS are you currently using? We ask as the menus and options can change slightly between versions of the OS, and we want to make sure we provide the most accurate steps. You can locate this by going to Settings > General > About and Apple menu  > About This Mac. While you gather that information, we recommend checking out this link to see if the steps you are taking matches up with your procedure in syncing the photos between devices: Sync photos between your Mac and iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

We thank you for your answers, they will help guide us to the next troubleshooting step.

Kindest regards!

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Answer 4

liamski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 15, 2022 10:00 AM in response to R_Gabriel

Hello - I'm using

OSX - Monterey 12.5

iOS - 15.5

Remember, this question is not about syncing via a cable b/w my iPhone and Mac as per that link you shared. This is about iCloud photos, libraries and albums

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Answer 5

Jun 16, 2022 7:41 AM in response to liamski

Ah - apps on the phone.

On Instagram on my phone when making a new post, I get this. I can drop down recents, and choose any album, or favourites etc. I'd be very surprised if other apps don't offer similar.

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Answer 6

liamski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 16, 2022 8:02 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Thanks for taking the time to respond Tony - appreciate it. Yeah seems to work for Instagram when you're posting on the timeline, but stories is restricted

I acknowledge this is very much an edge case and probably not a major issue for most users! lol

thanks again

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Answer 7

dawngreg08

Community Specialist

Jun 15, 2022 10:12 AM in response to liamski

Hello liamski,

If you're trying to make a copy of the photos in iCloud then follow the steps provided in this article: Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud

Thanks!

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Answer 8

liamski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 15, 2022 10:15 AM in response to dawngreg08

Hi Dawn - no, thats not what I'm trying to do.

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Answer 9

liamski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 16, 2022 1:33 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Thanks Tony - makes sense

My issue now is that other apps like Instagram, twitter etc always look at Recent when selecting photos to add. Not sure theres any way round that unfortunately.

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Answer 10

Jun 16, 2022 4:38 AM in response to liamski

You can select any album, category, or the whole library from the top pane of the picker...

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Answer 11

liamski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 16, 2022 6:57 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Thanks - thats good to know @tony but it doesnt quite resolve the issue with third party apps like Instagram etc. Unless I'm misunderstanding something!

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Answer 12

Jun 16, 2022 8:16 AM in response to liamski

In any case, something to take up with the app developer.

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Importing old photos on a Mac, but excluding them from view in an iOS library - possible?

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