Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Importing the same picture in photos sometimes works, sometimes does not and gives "Unknown error".

I am importing my Nikon and Fuji JPEGs to Apple Photos in Mac and, sometimes it works and sometimes it does not and yields "Unknown error".


It has given different results with the same picture (some imports started working after creating a new library, and some stopped working).


Now I am in a state in which I am not able to import any picture, rendering the app completely useless. I've tried resetting the library and the MacBook but nothing worked, what should I do?

Posted on Jul 11, 2023 4:08 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 11, 2023 4:23 PM

If you're experiencing issues importing Nikon and Fuji JPEGs into Apple Photos on your Mac and you've already tried resetting the library and your MacBook, there are a few additional steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem:


1. Update your software: Ensure that you have the latest version of both Apple Photos and your macOS. Software updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve compatibility issues.


2. Check file compatibility: Make sure that the JPEG files you're trying to import are in a compatible format. Although Apple Photos supports most common image formats, it's possible that some specific settings or variations in your Nikon or Fuji camera settings may be causing compatibility problems. You can try converting the JPEGs to a standard format using photo editing software or the manufacturer's software.


3. Repair your Photos library: Use the built-in repair option in Apple Photos to fix any potential issues with your library. Here's how you can do it:


a. Open Photos while holding down the Option and Command keys. This will prompt the repair option.

b. Select the "Repair" option, and Photos will analyze and attempt to repair your library.


4. Check for conflicting software: Some third-party applications or utilities can interfere with the import process. Disable or temporarily uninstall any plugins, extensions, or software that may interact with Apple Photos to see if it resolves the issue.


5. Try importing on a different user account: Create a new user account on your Mac and attempt to import the JPEGs into Apple Photos from there. This step helps identify whether the problem is specific to your user account or if it's a system-wide issue.


6. Contact Apple support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide personalized guidance and troubleshoot the problem based on your specific setup.


Remember to backup your Photos library and JPEG files before attempting any major changes or repairs to ensure your data is safe.


[Edited by Moderator]

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 11, 2023 4:23 PM in response to bernardoamorim

If you're experiencing issues importing Nikon and Fuji JPEGs into Apple Photos on your Mac and you've already tried resetting the library and your MacBook, there are a few additional steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem:


1. Update your software: Ensure that you have the latest version of both Apple Photos and your macOS. Software updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve compatibility issues.


2. Check file compatibility: Make sure that the JPEG files you're trying to import are in a compatible format. Although Apple Photos supports most common image formats, it's possible that some specific settings or variations in your Nikon or Fuji camera settings may be causing compatibility problems. You can try converting the JPEGs to a standard format using photo editing software or the manufacturer's software.


3. Repair your Photos library: Use the built-in repair option in Apple Photos to fix any potential issues with your library. Here's how you can do it:


a. Open Photos while holding down the Option and Command keys. This will prompt the repair option.

b. Select the "Repair" option, and Photos will analyze and attempt to repair your library.


4. Check for conflicting software: Some third-party applications or utilities can interfere with the import process. Disable or temporarily uninstall any plugins, extensions, or software that may interact with Apple Photos to see if it resolves the issue.


5. Try importing on a different user account: Create a new user account on your Mac and attempt to import the JPEGs into Apple Photos from there. This step helps identify whether the problem is specific to your user account or if it's a system-wide issue.


6. Contact Apple support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide personalized guidance and troubleshoot the problem based on your specific setup.


Remember to backup your Photos library and JPEG files before attempting any major changes or repairs to ensure your data is safe.


[Edited by Moderator]

Importing the same picture in photos sometimes works, sometimes does not and gives "Unknown error".

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.