Unable to move images from the library into albums

To begin, I have a lot of images saved and sorted in Photos on my MAC (37,000) but sometimes I can't move an image from the library into albums I created. I finally figured out the "Save one shared Photo" thing but at times the images will not move into the albums when I drag the image over. I even tried the "Add to" function which is slower and more difficult but even that isn't working. The album titles don't even highlight. This most commonly occurs when I have worked on Photos for a period of time but today nothing seems to work for me. I am trying to compile four family's photos many of which a redundant so I can go back, find copies and delete them.

iMac 24″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Oct 5, 2023 3:46 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 7, 2023 10:07 AM

Hello Nansaf,


Let's use the applicable set of steps below to boot your Mac into safe mode to see if that behavior persist from there:


If you're using a Mac with Apple silicon
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac. As you continue to hold the power button, your Mac turns on and loads startup options. When you see Options, release the power button.
3. Select your startup disk. It's named Macintosh HD, unless you changed its name.
4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click the “Continue in Safe Mode” button below your startup disk.
5. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.

If you're using an Intel-based Mac
If you're not using a Mac with Apple silicon, you're using an Intel-based Mac.
1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 
3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window. If you can't start up in safe mode, make sure that your Mac isn't using a firmware password.


You can also find those steps in this resource: Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support


It can take a few extra minutes to boot into safe mode. Your screen may flash or flicker while in safe mode. Those behaviors are expected. Testing in safe mode runs a check on your disk, removes some cached files, and can help isolate conflicts with startup items. Once you've tested that behavior in safe mode, you can restart to leave safe mode.


Additionally, the steps from this resource can also help with removing duplicate photos: Remove duplicate photos in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


Just let us know if that behavior still persists from safe mode, and we'll keep moving forward from there.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 7, 2023 10:07 AM in response to Nansaf

Hello Nansaf,


Let's use the applicable set of steps below to boot your Mac into safe mode to see if that behavior persist from there:


If you're using a Mac with Apple silicon
1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac. As you continue to hold the power button, your Mac turns on and loads startup options. When you see Options, release the power button.
3. Select your startup disk. It's named Macintosh HD, unless you changed its name.
4. Press and hold the Shift key, then click the “Continue in Safe Mode” button below your startup disk.
5. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again.

If you're using an Intel-based Mac
If you're not using a Mac with Apple silicon, you're using an Intel-based Mac.
1. Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
2. Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac. 
3. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window. If you can't start up in safe mode, make sure that your Mac isn't using a firmware password.


You can also find those steps in this resource: Use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support


It can take a few extra minutes to boot into safe mode. Your screen may flash or flicker while in safe mode. Those behaviors are expected. Testing in safe mode runs a check on your disk, removes some cached files, and can help isolate conflicts with startup items. Once you've tested that behavior in safe mode, you can restart to leave safe mode.


Additionally, the steps from this resource can also help with removing duplicate photos: Remove duplicate photos in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


Just let us know if that behavior still persists from safe mode, and we'll keep moving forward from there.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Unable to move images from the library into albums

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