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Corrupt system photo library on mac won't let me assign new one

My original system photo library is corrupt. I created a new photo library, but when I try to set it as the system library, it just spins and I have to force quit. How do I fix it?

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on May 16, 2023 6:56 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 16, 2023 8:05 AM

cshuck wrote:

My original system photo library is corrupt. I created a new photo library, but when I try to set it as the system library, it just spins and I have to force quit. How do I fix it?


The "System Photo Library" would be your user Photo Library(?) from Applications/Photos.app


Did you try launching the Photos.app holding the Option Command key





Repair your library in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


How to use the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac



if launch the Photos.app holding the Option key typically allows you to select a default Photo Library...



ref: Designate a System Photo Library in Photos


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5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 16, 2023 8:05 AM in response to cshuck

cshuck wrote:

My original system photo library is corrupt. I created a new photo library, but when I try to set it as the system library, it just spins and I have to force quit. How do I fix it?


The "System Photo Library" would be your user Photo Library(?) from Applications/Photos.app


Did you try launching the Photos.app holding the Option Command key





Repair your library in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


How to use the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac



if launch the Photos.app holding the Option key typically allows you to select a default Photo Library...



ref: Designate a System Photo Library in Photos


May 16, 2023 5:02 PM in response to cshuck

cshuck wrote:

I've tried doing the Option+Command to repair the library and Option to choose/create a new library. Neither were successful.

When I create a new photo library and set it as the System library, it spins and spins but never completes.


To trouble shoot further you can:


—Test issue in another user (or guest user) account Change Users & Groups settings on Mac - Apple Support


  This will tell you if it a universal issue or isolated to your user/admin account. 




 —A SafeBoot How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support will sort many anomalies


Takes a bit longer to get to the login screen, does a quick disk repair before it fully boots up, and certain system caches get cleared and rebuilt, including dynamic loader cache, font cache, etc., third party system modifications and system accelerations are disabled.


Login and test. Reboot  as normal and test.  Caches get rebuilt automatically.


 a  reboot will put it back to normal mode.


This test will tell you if third party interference; most* extensions etc are not loaded in safe boot mode. 


 


If no insight or resolve—

You can always try re-installing the macOS on top of your existing macOS to refresh the baked in application

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support



Corrupt system photo library on mac won't let me assign new one

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