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Mac Messages not displaying pictures

I noticed several updates ago that pictures sent to me via Messages on my Mac weren't displaying. I can see them just fine on my phone and iPad. It even applies to images I sent from my iPhone but viewed on my Mac. This applies to both jpeg and heic file formats. I did several searches and tried multiple fixes to no avail. I even took the nuclear option and did a complete reinstall of MacOS. I have everything updated. There just has to be a setting somewhere that I can't find that is causing this behavior. Any ideas out there?


iMac, macOS 10.13

Posted on Nov 28, 2022 8:26 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 28, 2022 10:13 AM

1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drives from loading 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?


4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.


It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 28, 2022 10:13 AM in response to Jibeho

1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.


2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drives from loading 


3 - Does the issue present in this mode ?


4 - Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.


5 - If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.


6 - If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.


7 - Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.


This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.


It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 


The application is free or paid from added features. 


The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 


Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

Reply

Nov 29, 2022 2:23 AM in response to Jibeho

Have looked very closely at the Etrecheck Report looking for Specific Issues related to this computer.


Below are the finding and suggestion for remedial actions by the User enact.


Problem: Other problem


Description: Messages app not displaying images.


Major Issues:

Q1 -  Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed that could be malicious and should be reviewed.

A1 - Worthy of the User time to consider reviewing the software on the computer and perhaps also use the below Software to Scan for Malware / Adware.


A1- The Application will offer to Quarantine  the malware / Adware and may even offer to remove it 


A1 - It is suggested, download directly from the Developer , the application Malwarebytes for Mac


It is free or paid for added features. 


Run the Application and it should remove the malware / adware. Once done, restart computer and test.


Minor Issues:

Q2 -  Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed.


A2 - Worthy for the User to consider reviewing the software on the computer  for updates or upGrades of exiting Software and / or find replacement software that is Ventura Compatible 


Q3 -   System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.


A3 - Anytime a computer is running wit large number of Modification, be is on purpose or by installing Third Party Application that modify the Operating System, there are consequences including  what the computer is expiring now.


Q4 - AntivirusforMac.app

Q4 - Antivirus software: Apple and Bitdefender


A4 - There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 


Additionally, and specific to Big Sur macOS 11,  Monterey macOS 12, Ventura macOS 13, the Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User and protects against from “ Bad Actor “ Software.


The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.


AntiVirus Developers purposefully Market their product to create a “ Fear Factor “. In so doing, creating a False Need for their Product.


The The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.


A4 - Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster and comprising the Operating System


Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a portion on each sale. What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase


Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions


This will include CleanMyMac , This will include BitDefender


This will included Norton Antivirus , Sophos Av Software


Intego AntiVirus, McAfee, MacKeeper, Avast AntiVirus


Ad Guard, Webroot , ESET , Kaspersky Antivirus. Anti virus


AVG AntiVirus   PowerMyMac 


Trustee  Total AV  avira antivirus   Dr Cleaner Pro Plus


AntiVirus for Mac 


Read some of the posting and arrive at your own conclusions.


There has been sufficient advise offered for the User to make an informed and educated choice what the next course of action is required for this computer.


The suggestions have been put forth on a volunteer basis, in good faith and in the best interests of the computer.

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Nov 30, 2022 2:28 PM in response to Jibeho

1 - AntivirusforMac.app

2 - Antivirus software: Apple and Bitdefender


Antivirus Software installed on an Apple Computer for a Non Existing Issue.


Should that not be apparent to the User


Then have a few suggestions ;


1 - Get Support Choose a product and we’ll find you the best solution.Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are Apple Employees to deal will these types of issues . 


Make sure to advise Apple Support the computer is riddled with Two AntiVirus Software and see what they suggest.


2 - Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware / Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions



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Nov 28, 2022 1:51 PM in response to PRP_53

It looks like it's the user account. The dummy account will display new messages with pictures and old ones once you open them and they load. I didn't move on to step 7 since this seemed like the case. Does that mean I have to scrap that user account and start from scratch with a new one? A bit tedious, but it has been in constant use since 2017 on this computer with all that comes with it.

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Nov 30, 2022 3:18 PM in response to PRP_53

I appreciate your attempt at helping me to diagnose this problem. That's why I posted here. I do understand your discussion regarding antivirus and even deleted it to see if that was a causative factor. Alas, it was not.

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Nov 28, 2022 3:15 PM in response to PRP_53

EtreCheckPro version: 6.7.3 (67033) Report generated: 2022-11-28 18:06:37 Download EtreCheckPro from https://etrecheck.com Runtime: 3:09 Performance: Excellent Problem: Other problem Description: Messages app not displaying images. Major Issues: Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention. Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed that could be malicious and should be reviewed. Minor Issues: These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement. Heavy RAM usage - Apps are using a large amount of RAM. Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. These files could be old, incompatible, and cause problems. They should be reviewed. System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background. x86-only Apps - This computer has x86-only apps might not work on future versions of the operating system. Limited permissions - More information may be available with Full Disk Access. Hardware Information: iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) Status: Supported iMac Model: iMac18,3 4.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 (i7-7700K) CPU: 4-core 40 GB RAM - Upgradeable BANK 0/DIMM0 - 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400 BANK 0/DIMM1 - 16 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400 BANK 1/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400 BANK 1/DIMM1 - 4 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400 Video Information: Radeon Pro 580 - VRAM: 8 GB iMac (built-in) 5120 x 2880 Drives: disk0 - APPLE SSD SM0128L 121.33 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes) Internal PCI-Express 8.0 GT/s x4 NVM Express disk0s1 - EFI [EFI] 315 MB disk0s2 [APFS Fusion Drive] 121.02 GB disk2 [APFS Virtual drive] 2.12 TB (Shared by 6 volumes) disk2s1 (APFS) [APFS Container] (8.83 GB used) disk2s1s1 - Macintosh HD (APFS) [APFS Snapshot] (8.83 GB used) disk2s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (1.81 GB used) disk2s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (1.12 GB used) disk2s4 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (2.15 GB used) disk2s6 - Update (APFS) (8 MB used) disk2s7 - Macintosh HD - Data (APFS) [APFS Virtual drive] (1.02 TB used) disk1 - APPLE HDD ST2000DM001 2.00 TB (Mechanical - 7200 RPM) Internal SATA 6 Gigabit Serial ATA disk1s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB disk1s2 [APFS Fusion Drive] 2.00 TB disk2 [APFS Virtual drive] 2.12 TB (Shared by 6 volumes) disk2s1 (APFS) [APFS Container] (8.83 GB used) disk2s1s1 - Macintosh HD (APFS) [APFS Snapshot] (8.83 GB used) disk2s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (1.81 GB used) disk2s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (1.12 GB used) disk2s4 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (2.15 GB used) disk2s6 - Update (APFS) (8 MB used) disk2s7 - Macintosh HD - Data (APFS) [APFS Virtual drive] (1.02 TB used) Mounted Volumes: disk2s1s1 - Macintosh HD [APFS Snapshot] Filesystem: APFS Mount point: / Fusion drive Read-only: Yes Used: 8.83 GB Shared values Size: 2.12 TB Free: 1.08 TB Available: 1.10 TB disk2s2 - Preboot [APFS Preboot] Filesystem: APFS Mount point: /System/Volumes/Preboot Fusion drive Used: 1.81 GB Shared values Size: 2.12 TB Free: 1.08 TB disk2s3 - Recovery [Recovery] Filesystem: APFS Mount point: /Volumes/Recovery Fusion drive Used: 1.12 GB Shared values Size: 2.12 TB Free: 1.08 TB disk2s4 - VM [APFS VM] Filesystem: APFS Mount point: /System/Volumes/VM Fusion drive Used: 2.15 GB Shared values Size: 2.12 TB Free: 1.08 TB disk2s6 - Update Filesystem: APFS Mount point: /System/Volumes/Update Fusion drive Used: 8 MB Shared values Size: 2.12 TB Free: 1.08 TB disk2s7 - Macintosh HD - Data [APFS Virtual drive] Filesystem: APFS Mount point: /System/Volumes/Data Fusion drive Used: 1.02 TB Shared values Size: 2.12 TB Free: 1.08 TB Available: 1.10 TB Network: Interface en0: Ethernet Interface en1: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Interface en5: iPhone Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge System Software: macOS Ventura 13.0.1 (22A400) Time since boot: About an hour Notifications: AntivirusforMac.app 3 notifications Microsoft To Do.app 100 notifications (100 scheduled) Security: Gatekeeper: App Store and identified developers System Integrity Protection: Enabled Antivirus software: Apple and Bitdefender Unsigned Files: Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.grammarly.ProjectLlama.UninstallAgent.plist Executable: ~/Library/Application Support/com.grammarly.ProjectLlama/Scripts/Grammarly Uninstaller Launchd: /Users/***/Library/LaunchAgents/com.grammarly.ProjectLlama.UninstallAgent.plist Executable: ~/Library/Application Support/com.grammarly.ProjectLlama/Scripts/Grammarly Uninstaller Apps: 2 Old Applications: 61 x86-only apps System Extensions: [Running] Bitdefender.SPSE - version 1.5.6 (Bitdefender SRL - 2022-09-05) Application: /Applications/Bitdefender/BitdefenderAgent.app - version 1.5.6 (Bitdefender SRL - 2022-09-05) [Not Loaded] com.bitdefender.vpn.neprovider - version 4.2.0 (Bitdefender SRL - 2022-09-28) Application: /Applications/Bitdefender/Bitdefender VPN.app - version 4.2.0 (Bitdefender SRL - 2022-04-19) System Launch Daemons: [Not Loaded] 37 Apple tasks [Loaded] 191 Apple tasks [Running] 155 Apple tasks [Other] 2 Apple tasks System Launch Agents: [Not Loaded] 19 Apple tasks [Loaded] 186 Apple tasks [Running] 185 Apple tasks Launch Daemons: [Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (Adobe Inc. - installed 2022-01-06) [Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (Adobe Inc. - installed 2022-01-06) [Running] com.backblaze.bzserv.plist (Backblaze - installed 2022-10-20) [Not Loaded] com.bitdefender.agent.plist (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2022-09-05) [Loaded] com.bitdefender.upgrade.plist (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2022-10-24) [Not Loaded] com.citrix.ctxusbd.plist (Citrix Systems, Inc. - installed 2022-10-31) [Not Loaded] com.citrix.ctxworkspaceupdater.plist (Citrix Systems, Inc. - installed 2022-10-31) [Running] pc-mobility-print.plist (PaperCut Software International Pty Ltd - installed 2021-10-26) [Loaded] us.zoom.ZoomDaemon.plist (Zoom Video Communications, Inc. - installed 2022-06-11) Launch Agents: [Other] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a23d420d.plist (Adobe Inc. - installed 2022-01-06) [Running] com.backblaze.bzbmenu.plist (Backblaze - installed 2022-10-20) [Running] com.bitdefender.antivirusformac.plist (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2022-10-30) [Loaded] com.citrix.AuthManager_Mac.plist (Citrix Systems, Inc. - installed 2022-10-14) [Not Loaded] com.citrix.ReceiverHelper.plist (Citrix Systems, Inc. - installed 2022-10-14) [Not Loaded] com.citrix.ServiceRecords.plist (Citrix Systems, Inc. - installed 2022-10-14) [Not Loaded] com.citrix.safariadapter.plist (Citrix Systems, Inc. - installed 2022-10-14) [Running] com.fujitsu.pfu.ScanSnap.AOUMonitor.plist (PFU LIMITED - installed 2022-07-17) [Running] com.fujitsu.pfu.SshRegister.plist (PFU LIMITED - installed 2022-08-11) [Running] com.fujitsu.pfu.SshResident.plist (PFU LIMITED - installed 2022-08-11) [Running] com.fujitsu.pfu.SshSCloudWatch.plist (PFU LIMITED - installed 2022-08-11) [Loaded] com.grammarly.ProjectLlama.UninstallAgent.plist (Not signed - installed 2022-11-15) User Launch Agents: [Not Loaded] com.backblaze.bzbmenu.plist (Backblaze - installed 2022-11-28) [Not Loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2021-10-09) [Not Loaded] com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2021-10-09) [Not Loaded] com.grammarly.ProjectLlama.UninstallAgent.plist (Not signed - installed 2022-11-15) [Not Loaded] com.synology.SynologyDrive.plist (Synology Inc. - installed 2022-04-30) User Login Items: [Running] 1Password Browser Helper (AgileBits Inc. - installed 2022-11-01) Modern Login Item /Applications/1Password.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/1Password Browser Helper.app [Running] 1Password Launcher (AgileBits Inc. - installed 2022-11-01) Modern Login Item /Applications/1Password.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/1Password Launcher.app [Not Loaded] Bitdefender VPN Helper (Bitdefender SRL - installed 2022-04-19) Modern Login Item /Applications/Bitdefender/Bitdefender VPN.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Bitdefender VPN Helper.app [Loaded] GRLoginHelper (Grammarly, Inc - installed 2022-11-20) Modern Login Item /Applications/Grammarly Desktop.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/GRLoginHelper.app [Not Loaded] Launcher Disabler (App Store - installed 2022-11-28) Modern Login Item /Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Launcher Disabler.app [Not Loaded] OneDrive Launcher (App Store - installed 2022-11-28) Modern Login Item /Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/OneDrive Launcher.app [Not Loaded] StartUpHelper (Spotify - installed 2021-09-20) Modern Login Item /Applications/Spotify.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/StartUpHelper.app [Not Loaded] HDXCastHelper (Citrix Systems, Inc. - installed 2022-10-31) Modern Login Item /Library/Application Support/Citrix Receiver/Citrix Casting.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/HDXCastHelper.app 3rd Party Preference panels: Backblaze Settings Launcher (Backblaze - installed 2022-10-20) Backup: Time Machine information is limited without Full Disk Access Destinations: T*****************p [Network] (Last used) 6 local snapshots Oldest local snapshot: 2022-11-28 11:08:36 Last local snapshot: 2022-11-28 16:48:29 Performance: System Load: 1.11 (1 min ago) 1.66 (5 min ago) 1.91 (15 min ago) Nominal I/O usage: 0.00 MB/s File system: 30.03 seconds Write speed: 316 MB/s Read speed: 2765 MB/s CPU Usage Snapshot: Type Overall System: 1 % User: 2 % Idle: 98 % Top Processes Snapshot by CPU: Process (count) CPU (Source - Location) EtreCheckPro 9.50 % (Etresoft, Inc.) WindowServer 4.48 % (Apple) kernel_task 1.20 % (Apple) com.apple.WebKit.WebContent (13) 0.40 % (Apple) TLL 0.30 % (Bitdefender SRL) Top Processes Snapshot by Memory: Process (count) RAM usage (Source - Location) MTLCompilerService (25) 2.49 GB (Apple) com.apple.WebKit.WebContent (13) 1.49 GB (Apple) BDLDaemon 1.03 GB (Bitdefender SRL) EtreCheckPro 949 MB (Etresoft, Inc.) mds_stores 368 MB (Apple) Top Processes Snapshot by Network Use: Process (count) Input / Output (Source - Location) data -pclog.dev 4 MB / 4 MB (Not signed - v2022-10-19-1436/mobility-print -dataDir=/Applications/PaperCut Mobility Print) mDNSResponder 6 MB / 1 MB (Apple) apsd 467 KB / 946 KB (Apple) com.apple.WebKit.Networking 580 KB / 76 KB (Apple) Mail 297 KB / 81 KB (Apple) Top Processes Snapshot by Energy Use: Process (count) Energy (0-100) (Source - Location) WindowServer 4 (Apple) mdbulkimport (3) 1 (Apple) launchd 1 (Apple) TLL 1 (Bitdefender SRL) Extension 0 (App Store) Virtual Memory Information: Physical RAM: 40 GB Free RAM: 20.42 GB Used RAM: 12.61 GB Cached files: 6.97 GB Available RAM: 27.39 GB Swap Used: 0 B Software Installs (past 60 days): Install Date Name (Version) 2022-10-17 Adobe Acrobat Reader (22.003.20258) (22.003.20258) 2022-10-26 Pages (12.1) 2022-10-26 Keynote (12.1) 2022-10-26 iMovie (10.3.5) 2022-10-26 Numbers (12.1) 2022-10-30 macOS 13.0 (13.0) 2022-10-31 1Password for Safari (2.4.1) 2022-10-31 Citrix Workspace (22.10.0) 2022-11-01 MRTConfigData (1.93) 2022-11-01 GarageBand (10.4.7) 2022-11-13 XProtectPayloads (84) 2022-11-13 XProtectPlistConfigData (2165) 2022-11-15 macOS 13.0.1 (13.0.1) 2022-11-15 Microsoft To Do (2.83) 2022-11-28 PayPal Honey (15.6.2) 2022-11-28 Adobe Acrobat Reader (22.003.20281) (22.003.20281) 2022-11-28 OneDrive (22.227.1030) Diagnostics Information (past 7-30 days): 2022-11-28 17:28:40 photoanalysisd High CPU Use Executable: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/PhotoAnalysis.framework/Versions/A/Support/photoanalysisd End of report


Here it is. Not sure how helpful other than saying what programs are installed. The rest is fairly benign. Thanks for the help.

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Mac Messages not displaying pictures

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