Photos Application Stuck At Downloading Originals

Has anyone here experienced an issue after updating to Sonoma 14.1.2, where the Photos app is stuck at "Downloading 103 Originals)? I called and spoke with Apple Support and was told that this is a known issue and that the engineers are working on it. I also have a Mac Pro that is also stuck at "Downloading 193 Originals) I was told that a temporary remedy is to leave the Photos app open with no other applications open for 24-48 hours. Unfortunately this did not work.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Dec 8, 2023 3:21 PM

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Old Toad

Level 10

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Posted on Jan 26, 2024 3:02 PM

If you want to get all of your full sized image files downloaded from your iCloud library do the following;

1 - on your current library disable iCloud Library.

2 - on a volume which is large enough to hold all of the full sized image files create a new, empty library.

3 - make the library the System Photo Library.

4 - enable iCloud Library.

5 - do not enable "Optimize Mac Storage".

6 - leave the library open and in the background and the computer on until all photos and videos have been downloaded. It could take over a week depending on the size the the iCloud Library.

You can use the laptop while the download is in progress by leaving Photos open in the the background.

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Photos Application Stuck At Downloading Originals

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