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(PHPhotosErrorDomain error 3146.) its been a week I am not able to open my Photo Library and I have more than 50,000 photos in it . Anyone can help me with this please 🙏

(PHPhotosErrorDomain error 3146.) its been a week I am not able to open my Photo Library and I have more than 50,000 photos in it . Anyone can help me with this please 🙏

Posted on Nov 18, 2022 1:39 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 18, 2022 3:53 AM

What has changed before you could no longer open your Photos Library? Did you just install a system upgrade or move your Photos Library to a new external volume?



The error message is typical for a Photos Library that is stored on an incompatible volume. If your library is on an external drive, make sure the volume is prepared as described here: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

The main issues are:

  • The file system format of the external volume needs to be MacOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS and not case-sensitive.
  • The drive needs a wired connection, it must not be remotely mounted on the local network, even if it seemed to have worked for quite some time.
  • The volume with your Photos Library must not have been used for Time Machine backups or have other backup software installed.
  • Don't use the folder Users/Shared for your Photos Library or use any folder that is synced by some cloud service, for example iCloud Drive or Drop Box.
  • Don't use a removable storage device like an SD card or USB flash drive, because that may cause data loss.




1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 18, 2022 3:53 AM in response to Rajeshtt

What has changed before you could no longer open your Photos Library? Did you just install a system upgrade or move your Photos Library to a new external volume?



The error message is typical for a Photos Library that is stored on an incompatible volume. If your library is on an external drive, make sure the volume is prepared as described here: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

The main issues are:

  • The file system format of the external volume needs to be MacOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS and not case-sensitive.
  • The drive needs a wired connection, it must not be remotely mounted on the local network, even if it seemed to have worked for quite some time.
  • The volume with your Photos Library must not have been used for Time Machine backups or have other backup software installed.
  • Don't use the folder Users/Shared for your Photos Library or use any folder that is synced by some cloud service, for example iCloud Drive or Drop Box.
  • Don't use a removable storage device like an SD card or USB flash drive, because that may cause data loss.




(PHPhotosErrorDomain error 3146.) its been a week I am not able to open my Photo Library and I have more than 50,000 photos in it . Anyone can help me with this please 🙏

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