Photos will not import any new items to system library on external drive

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Photos will not import any new items to system library on external drive

This problem has suddenly stared after no system changes etc. Was working fine importing even a few weeks ago. I am running Sonoma and using import for the file menu, dragging files into the import window, etc. "appears" to work ie there is no error message, but absolutely nothing happens. I have seen people mentioning external disk format but mine is extended journaled as it should be, ignore ownership is checked, and as I say, this has been working perfectly until now. Also, an absolute tone of space available on the drive. I also rebuilt the photo library overnight, still not working.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.4

Posted on Oct 2, 2024 5:53 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Richard.Taylor

Level 6

19,963 points

Oct 3, 2024 8:56 AM in response to seanfromminato-ku

I'd try swapping cables-- they are notorious for causing problems. But admittedly, it's hard to see a cable causing trouble only with importing. But it's worth a try.

Next I'd do things like:

Restart the computer (of course)
Re-start in Safe Mode. This bypasses certain potentially disruptive processes. Safe Mode is different for different computers, so see this:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

Use another library if you have one, or make a small test Library with a few pictures in it and see if the same thing happens. You can create a new Library by closing Photos and then option-clicking on the Photos icon. I'd try this first on the internal drive, and then on the external one.
Make a new user and see if the same problem recurs with it.

The idea is to find out if the problem is with the Library, with your account, or with caches and login items, and stuff like that. One of these steps may fix the problem, but their failure to work also helps figure out what's happening.

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Answer 2

Oct 25, 2024 6:27 AM in response to seanfromminato-ku

Well, the recommended repair is to rebuild the Library, but you've tried that. No harm in trying again. To rebuild your Photos Library, close Photos and re-launch by option-command- double-clicking the app icon.

If nothing works, you will be able to retrieve the original picture files, but it's a bit of a hassle with somewhat confusing results. And the edits and comments, etc, will be lost. So it's way better if you can repair the database.

You're still in Sonoma, and that's the last OS that opened it, is that right?

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Answer 3

Nov 12, 2024 7:56 AM in response to seanfromminato-ku

Very weird. Your statement that "this has been working perfectly until now" is useful, but not definitive. That happens a lot. (In fact, that's what my father said after his first heart attack.)

I understand that your external drive is formatted "extended journaled," but can you be more specific? Is the format Mac OS Extended (Journaled), or Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted), or Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled), or Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted)?

A Library that works in Sequoia will not work at all in Sonoma. A Library working in Sonoma, but opened by Photos in Sequoia, will be changed in a way that it cannot be opened in the older Sonoma, and it can't be regressed to the older system. A Library swapped between computers may have trouble because of this.

The best way to fill an older Library from a new one is to use iCloud Photos, which has to be able to work with all OSs. You can you can use iCloud for a month and then cancel, if you want.

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Answer 4

Nov 12, 2024 4:35 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Yes, but this is a photos library that had been working fine, I made NO OS changes, and it suddenly stoped working.

While all suggestions relating to disk formatting are appreciated, it is not an issue.

The message telling me that a library I created mere second before can not be opened using the exact same application on the same OS (I don't even have the ability to change OS in the second allotted), on the same computer, is just plain bonkers.

My current attempted fix appears to be working, but looks like it will take a while.

Took disk back to lap top, deleted all attempts at copying the working library as well as totally not working library, created new library, set to system library, turned on iCloud sync. So far so good, but VERY time consuming.

If anyone does know another way that might actually work, please let me know.

Again, thanks for all the advice.

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Answer 5

Oct 24, 2024 5:50 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Small test library on external dis worked and imported files. I have my original copy of the large library, and a copy of that, and a previous back up of the orin

final library, that no longer open. Is there a recommended repair procedure? Or an app that might do it? Photos itself seems to be failing in trying. to "restore" this libraries. Maybe I should leave my computer a few days and let photos import the massive amount of photos from cloud by setting this small one to the system library? Very frustrating I have to say.

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Answer 6

Nov 11, 2024 8:33 PM in response to seanfromminato-ku

I am pretty much getting nowhere with this.

A newly created photo library runs fine on the external disk, albeit there is nothing in it hardly.

I deleted the dodgy library from the external disk, emptied the bin, and then copied the library from another computer, which runs fine on that computer.

I get this message, but only after the copy has been running for about 10 minutes. Most strange.

I think created a new library on the external )connected to the other computer) with the intention of temporarily making it the system library and syncing it all back up. I get a completely unfathomable message in photos then to the effect that all photos and videos on this computer would be deleted and turn iCloud syn on in settings. Why would it delete everything? And iCloud syn is already set.

Anyway to add to the weirdness photos then locked up, and when I tried to open the file that I JUST MOMENTS BEFORE CREATED, I get this:

BUT IT WAS JUST CREATED USING THE ONLY VERSION OF PHOTOS ON THIS COMPUTER! What a shitheap Mac OS seems to be these days. So, if anyone would like to shed some light, please do.

I have posted the file copy problem elsewhere on this group.

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Answer 7

Oct 3, 2024 9:39 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thanks, I will give all the steps a go later. Frustrating that it was working mere days ago.

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Answer 8

Nov 11, 2024 3:00 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

Yes Sonoma, and I have been on that OS a while. And it was indeed the last OS to open that library.

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Photos will not import any new items to system library on external drive

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