Photos App - not scanning for faces

Hello,


I'm currently using a 2TB Seagate External SSD. I formatted it to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and moved my photo library to it. I've set it as my system's primary photo storage, ensuring that it automatically opens when I launch the Photos app. This setup allows me to transfer photos from my iPhone to the SSD. I have approximately 14,000 photos stored on it, but I'm experiencing an issue where the photo scanning process seems stuck. When I open the Photos app, it indicates that it's scanning photos, but the number of scanned photos doesn't increase. I've tried leaving the app open, moving it to the background, and various other troubleshooting steps. Do you have any suggestions for resolving this issue?


Thanks,

MacBook Air (2018 – 2020)

Posted on Sep 26, 2023 11:47 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 3, 2023 1:17 PM

Hi VintageSoul1999,



The following steps address what you're describing specifically, and should provide a solution:

"If your Photos library won't open or if the Photos app behaves unexpectedly on your Mac, the Photos Repair Library tool might help.


Before you use the Photos Repair Library tool, back up your photo library. You can use Time Machine, use a third-party backup solution, or copy the library to an external drive. By default, your photo library is stored in the Pictures folder within your home folder.

To get to the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac, follow these steps: 

  1. If Photos is open, close the app. Then, while you click to open Photos, hold down the Command and Option keys at the same time.
  2. In the window that opens, click Repair to start the repair process. You might be asked to enter your user account password.

The Repair Library tool analyzes the library's database and repairs any inconsistencies it detects. Depending on the size of your library, the repairs might take some time. When the process is done, Photos opens the library."



You can find these steps along with other information that may be helpful, here: How to use the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac - Apple Support


If you have followed the steps correctly and you still have the issue, let us know if you get any specific alerts or error messages when trying, as those may help us determine what might be causing the issue.



If you still have questions, reach out to Apple Support directly, as this may require closer guidance: Get Support


Cheers!


Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 3, 2023 1:17 PM in response to VintageSoul1999

Hi VintageSoul1999,



The following steps address what you're describing specifically, and should provide a solution:

"If your Photos library won't open or if the Photos app behaves unexpectedly on your Mac, the Photos Repair Library tool might help.


Before you use the Photos Repair Library tool, back up your photo library. You can use Time Machine, use a third-party backup solution, or copy the library to an external drive. By default, your photo library is stored in the Pictures folder within your home folder.

To get to the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac, follow these steps: 

  1. If Photos is open, close the app. Then, while you click to open Photos, hold down the Command and Option keys at the same time.
  2. In the window that opens, click Repair to start the repair process. You might be asked to enter your user account password.

The Repair Library tool analyzes the library's database and repairs any inconsistencies it detects. Depending on the size of your library, the repairs might take some time. When the process is done, Photos opens the library."



You can find these steps along with other information that may be helpful, here: How to use the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac - Apple Support


If you have followed the steps correctly and you still have the issue, let us know if you get any specific alerts or error messages when trying, as those may help us determine what might be causing the issue.



If you still have questions, reach out to Apple Support directly, as this may require closer guidance: Get Support


Cheers!


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Photos App - not scanning for faces

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