Problem with uploading/syncing video files from mac to iCloud Photos

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Level 1

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Problem with uploading/syncing video files from mac to iCloud Photos

I have my mac Photos app synced to the iCloud Photos. The iCloud Photos library contains both jpeg and m4v files. For some reason, I have problem with uploading new m4v videos to the iCloud. If I import a video to my mac Photos, the video will stay on the mac. The sync status will say "x photos y videos, 1 item on this mac only." If I use the iCloud Photos web interface to upload the video, the file window shows the m4v file grayed out, so direct uploading is not possible. Any clue as to what's going on? I'm using a M1 MacBook Pro, Sonoma 14.6.1. The test video file is a Photo App generated slideshow in m4v format, no non-apple components. By the way, videos taken by my iPhone gets synced to iCloud and my mac immediately. Lots of storage left on iCloud.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Sep 15, 2024 7:25 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

léonie

Level 10

200,519 points

Sep 15, 2024 1:58 PM in response to pegasus1787

Have you changed the Settings in Photos > General for "Importing"?

If you have removed the checkmark for "Importing > Copy items to the Photos Library" and Photo is now referencing the originals in the original location, Photos will no longer be able to upload the video to iCloud Photos. Only items copied into the Photos Library can be uploaded into iCloud Photos.

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Answer 2

Sep 15, 2024 7:44 AM in response to pegasus1787

Unlike jpeg and HVIC and TIFF, etc, mov and m4v don't always designate the exact same format. Movie files aren't as standardized as still image files. You may need to import these movies into another app and convert them. One movie player and converter that many of us use is the open source app Handbrake which, thankfully, is free.

Try that and see if you get better results--and let us know...

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Answer 3

pegasus1787 Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 16, 2024 7:14 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

I just did a test. I took a video clip from my iPhone. I downloaded the clip from iCloud to my mac and renamed it. The same problem exists with the iPhone clip, can't upload it to iCloud Photos via the web browser (file is grayed out), and imported it to the mac Photo Library has the "item on this mac only" status.

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

215,238 points

Sep 15, 2024 10:49 AM in response to pegasus1787

Did you try one of the other formats in the Video section of Handbrake?

I know little of the many formats but you can experiment with them to see of one of them works for your situation.

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Answer 5

Sep 15, 2024 4:22 PM in response to pegasus1787

What about what Old Toad suggested? What happens when you try different settings in Handbrake? If you try several different export settings, what happens?

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Answer 6

pegasus1787 Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 15, 2024 9:48 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Nope, Handbrake reprocessed it to a .mp4 file and the same thing happened. I was able to sync/upload .mov, .m4v and .mp4 way back then (last upload was in early 2023). Wonder what's going on? Thanks anyway.

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Answer 7

pegasus1787 Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 15, 2024 1:44 PM in response to Old Toad

I used the same mp4 settings that I used in previous video projects and those videos synced and played properly. It's a head scratcher. Besides, the test video can play on my iPad and mac when I access it through the file system, so I don't think it's a file format compatibility issue. Thanks for taking the time to walk through Handbrake.

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Answer 8

pegasus1787 Author

Level 1

14 points

Sep 15, 2024 3:36 PM in response to léonie

The setting is correct, all the jpeg files are uploaded with no problem.

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Problem with uploading/syncing video files from mac to iCloud Photos

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