Create Photos Slideshow w/Playlist

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Level 4

3,723 points

Create Photos Slideshow w/Playlist

So I need to create a slideshow with music for a memorial service for my father in law next week.

I've skimmed thru several discussions on this, but I'm not even sure what I need to do is possible?

I have about 12 songs selected for the project, made sure I downloaded each of them in Apple Music, and created at Playlist for them.

When I created the slideshow in Photos and tried to select the playlist I'd created, none of my playlists are there. Only individual songs, and many of those are grayed out.

So I thought, hmmm...maybe I need to purchase the songs in the iTunes store first. So I went into each song in iTunes, but there's no Purchase option for any of the songs I'd downloaded for this project. (Maybe because I've already downloaded them? Don't know)

While I realize DRM is needed to prevent music theft, I'm actually not trying to steal anything. I simply need to create a nice playlist for this memorial service, using songs that I think everyone will appreciate. This project won't even be exported to anything, as I plan to connect my MacBook Air to a projector for this event.

While I realize this might seem to some to be a Music Community question, I'm thinking it might be more relevant here, as the problem rears its head here when creating the slideshow.

Any advice?

BTW...I'm running the current version of MacOS Ventura, and my MacBook Air is less than two months old.

MacBook Air (M2, 2023)

Posted on Aug 6, 2023 1:53 PM

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Answer 1

MacMikeInOK Author

Level 4

3,723 points

Aug 7, 2023 1:37 PM in response to claire504

I haven't tried it with a test slideshow.

But to answer your question, yes...I did follow those steps when selecting the music from my Music library. Most of the songs I wanted to add to the slideshow were shown in music list, but were grayed out, which prevented me from selecting them. (This despite the fact they'd been downloaded).

So earlier today I tried looking at a couple of the songs I wasn't able to select before in iTunes, and purchased the album they were in. Going back to my slideshow, I was now able to select those songs for the slideshow.

So maybe the songs have to be purchased from iTunes, not just downloaded?

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Answer 2

claire504

Community Specialist

Aug 7, 2023 1:18 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

Hi there MacMikeInOK,

To confirm, do the songs you want to select play without any issues in the Music app? Also, you'll want to ensure that you are following the steps below to add the songs to be able to play in the slideshow:

7. To select music for the slideshow, click the Music button , click the down arrow next to Music Library, then select a song or songs.

Choose Theme Songs from the pop-up menu to see music included with Photos, or choose Music to see music from your Music library. Drag the songs you selected to change the order they play in. To delete a song, select it and press Delete.

Note: If you don’t see music from your Music library listed, close Photos, then open Music and sign in if you haven’t already. With Music open, open Photos again, then select your slideshow. Click the Music button and choose Music from the pop-up menu to see your music list appear.

Those are steps from the "Create a slideshow project" section of this article: Create slideshows in Photos on Mac

If you've followed those steps, do you notice the same issue happening if you create a test slideshow and try to add music? We want to see if this happens with only a specific slideshow project or multiple, which can help us determine possible next steps.

Take care.

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Answer 3

Aug 7, 2023 2:35 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

MacMikeInOK,

Since the previous troubleshooting steps we provided did not help resolve your issue, we recommend that you contact Apple Support directly so that they can work with you to find a solution.

You can reach them by clicking here: Apple Support or calling the most local number in your region: Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support.

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities.

Cheers!

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Answer 4

Eric_G1

Community Specialist

Aug 7, 2023 1:59 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

MacMikeInOK,

It can be expected that if the music library has protected files in it then they may not be accessible when adding to a project.

To use a song you've purchased from the iTunes Store in your project, you have to be the copyright holder of the song or have express permission from the copyright holder. For more information about using content in Photos, you may view the Photos software license agreement: Legal - Software License Agreements - Apple

Cheers.

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Answer 5

MacMikeInOK Author

Level 4

3,723 points

Aug 7, 2023 2:20 PM in response to Eric_G1

Eric,

Thanks for your input.

Not sure why I was able to add those two songs I purchased into the slideshow, then...as I'm not the copyright holder nor have I requested permission from the copyright holder.

(I've not exported the slideshow I created, so perhaps I'd see some some warning if I exported it?) I don't plan to export it, though, as I'll be playing the slideshow from my MacBook Air at the memorial service, and I don't think I need to export it to do that.

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Create Photos Slideshow w/Playlist

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