Optimize Mac Storage not working properly for Photos

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Level 1

9 points

Optimize Mac Storage not working properly for Photos

I recently decided to switch to only using iCloud for my photos, I was previously using Google Photos. Now I have 214GB of photos in my Photo Library. I have the "Optimize Mac Storage" setting enabled, yet it is NOT optimizing the size of the photos on my MacBook. I have this same setting enabled on my iPhone, and it works for that, but not my MacBook.

I am unable to download anything to my MacBook due to the disk being full. Can anyone please suggest a solution for getting this setting to work better?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.1

Posted on Dec 10, 2023 9:39 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

léonie

Level 10

200,669 points

Dec 11, 2023 4:32 AM in response to tessashaw

What is the status bar showing on your Mac? Have a look below the "Library > All Photos" tab. Is it still showing "uploading"? Photos cannot optimize the library unless all items have been uploaded. If you are seeing items "on this Mac only" or "unable to upload", you will have to fix this problem first, as described here: Check the status of your library in Photos for macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 2

tessashaw Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 11, 2023 12:48 PM in response to léonie

Hello,

Thank you for your response!

The status bar in my All Photos tab on my Mac is showing that everything is finished syncing, and yet it still won't optimize the storage for me. I was hoping there is some trick that can jump-start that process.

I am not seeing either of those you listed, I made sure that my iCloud Photos are syncing with my Mac, so all photos on my Mac are the same photos in my iCloud.

Thanks!

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Optimize Mac Storage not working properly for Photos

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