Suddenly Unable To Favorite Or Unfavorite Photos

As of recently, I have been unable to favorite or unfavorite photos on my 2023 MacBook Pro (Ventura 13.3). I'm able to select the "heart button" in both the thumbnail and fullscreen views, and it will temporarily show that I've favorited the photo, but as soon as I click on the favorites tab, the photo(s) selected as favorites won't be there. I've double checked the folder permissions to make sure nothing was set to "read only." Does anyone know how to fix this issue?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Jul 4, 2023 10:00 AM

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Posted on Jul 4, 2023 10:18 AM

Try the following in order as needed:


1 - launch Photos with the Option+Command keys held down and repair the library.

2 - boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 4, 2023 10:18 AM in response to WileyBumtail

Try the following in order as needed:


1 - launch Photos with the Option+Command keys held down and repair the library.

2 - boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.


NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


Oct 7, 2023 8:11 PM in response to WileyBumtail

I have finally solved this issue. Thank you Old Toad for the insights. While your solution didn't work for me, you are clearly very knowledgable. I have marked all your replies as helpful, as they could benefit others with a similar issue.


The culprit was Google Drive. The app, which backed up most of my Macbook's files to my Google Drive and Google Photos, was causing all sorts of issues, including this strange behavior in my Macbook's Photos library.


Incidentally, it was also causing major issues with my Music library disappearing (causing me to have to re-import every song after closing and opening the app). A few months ago, I had created a separate thread addressing this issue where someone pointed out how 3rd-party software (such as antivirus software) can interfere with Mac's file system. Google Drive, while not antivirus, seemed to fit the bill well enough. Lo and behold, uninstalling the software fixed both my Music and Photo issues. Plus, my Macbook seems to just run smoother overall. Switching to iCloud was a tad more expensive, but it's native to the Apple ecosystem and is far easier to use.

Oct 6, 2023 9:43 AM in response to TurVi

First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  


There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   


Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.


There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  


You've installed and run what most of the longtime users here consider to be akin to malware: CleanMyMac. Uninstall it according to the developer's instructions.


Additionally, Onyx is also not needed. If you're one to sleep your MBP all the time be aware that rebooting at least every other day will clean out temporary system and application cache and swap files. You don't need Onyx to keep your Mac lean and clean.


You can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name.  For the mentioned software you'd do the following search(es): 


1 - Name contains cleanmymac

2 - Name contains macpaw

3 - Name contains onyx


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  


If you get warnings that the file can't be deleted because it is in use or used by another app boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and delete from there.


Note:  if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode.  This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.


Oct 6, 2023 9:34 AM in response to WileyBumtail

I've now been experimenting, for example, by booting in safe mode, running Onyx, running CleanMyMacX. The endpoint is that Mac Photos on MacBook Pro '23, Ventura 13.5.2, behaves strangely: The controls of videos get lost very soon; they are there just after booting, but after playing for a while with Photos they are lost. So I cannot see videos. Moreover, I cannot choose favorites, as they do not keep the selection, or I cannot make a new album, as it is not created. To me, Photos works otherwise normally. One thing may explain the problem: If I boot my Mac in Safe Mode, tested once, the video controls didn't disappear. So, extensions??? Is there a simple way to survey this possibility?

Oct 2, 2023 11:45 AM in response to Old Toad

I'm really embarrassed that Mac Photos (MBPro '23, Ventura 13.5.2) is behaving so strangely: I cannot choose favorites (hearts disappear), I cannot write annotations (they disappear), etc. I can browse the photos, look at individual photos, I can edit them... In general, my MBP works fine! Importantly, I've done already those things suggested in the previous comment but Mac Photos appears to be badly nonfunctional! What is this???

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Suddenly Unable To Favorite Or Unfavorite Photos

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