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User profile for user: Von123
Von123 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

App access to Photo Library on Mac

Recently after a spate of updates, my Apps cannot access my photo library to attached/upload photos (e.g. to WhatsApp). Running macOS Ventura Ver 13.3.1 (a) and have the issue on both my iMacs, works fine on my iPhone.


When I access "Privacy & Security/Photos" the screen is blank for Application that have requested access to my photos. Removed and reinstalled WhatsApp but was not prompted to allow access to my photo library. Its not just WhatsApp, any media where access to my photos is required don't have access.

Posted on May 4, 2023 2:16 AM

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,601 points

Posted on May 7, 2023 3:00 AM

How are you trying to use the Photos Library from other apps? You can only access is indirectly using the Media Browser, not directly.

When you want tos elect photos from your library to upload, don't try to select the library directly in the Pictures folder, but scroll down, until you are seeing "Media" in the sidebar, then click Media > Photos" and select the Photos Library there.


Can you access your Photos Library using "Media > Photos" ?

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
197,601 points

May 7, 2023 3:00 AM in response to Von123

How are you trying to use the Photos Library from other apps? You can only access is indirectly using the Media Browser, not directly.

When you want tos elect photos from your library to upload, don't try to select the library directly in the Pictures folder, but scroll down, until you are seeing "Media" in the sidebar, then click Media > Photos" and select the Photos Library there.


Can you access your Photos Library using "Media > Photos" ?

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User profile for user: dawngreg08
dawngreg08
User level: Community Specialist

May 6, 2023 1:24 PM in response to Von123

Hello Von123,


We understand you're having an issue with allowing apps to access your photos. We're here to help.


Do you have Screen Time enabled on your Mac?

To check follow the steps in this article: Use Screen Time on your Mac - Apple Support


If Screen Time is enabled, disable it then uninstall the apps that you're having the issue with and then redownload the app. Please be sure to create a backup of your Mac before uninstalling the apps.

How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care!

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User profile for user: Von123
Von123 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

May 7, 2023 1:42 AM in response to dawngreg08

Hi dawngreg08,


Many thanks for your reply, appreciated. I don't use Screen Time, but discovered it was activated on one of my 3 Mac devices (I also have on old 2011 iMac running on High Sierra, but it too has the same issue). AnywayI followed the instructs on the Mac in question where I'd disabled Screen Time but it made no difference - Photo Library grey'd out. It's as if my Photos library will not allow access to 3rd party apps such as WhatsApp and Moonpig (greeting cards app) on my Mac devices. As I mentioned, I have no problem using these Apps and accessing my photos on my iPhone or iPad.

Actually, I just tried to see if I could access my photo library via the option in this reply, once more blocked!

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App access to Photo Library on Mac

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