MacOS FaceTime photos when library on external drive

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Level 1

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MacOS FaceTime photos when library on external drive

Hi all,

I have an issue when using my MacBook Pro and taking a FaceTime Photo.

I store my Photos library on an external drive, which is usually at home. When I'm away I have been taking FaceTime photos, all settings are on and correct at both ends, however when on my MacBook, and not connected to external drive, the FaceTime photos are not appearing in my library when I return and open Photos.

Any advice on how I might recover these missing photos?

Thanks

MacBook Pro (M2 Max, 2023)

Posted on Dec 18, 2024 3:42 AM

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Answer 1

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Richard.Taylor

Level 7

22,812 points

Dec 18, 2024 8:08 AM in response to mrmorrison83

You don't say, so I'm guessing that you're not connected to iCloud Photos-- is that correct?

I would think that the FaceTime pictures would have to go to a different Library, since the usual one isn't available.

When at home, close Photos and option-click on the Photos icon. You should get the Library picker dialog, like this:

You can see that I have several Photos Libraries. Only one of them can be the System Library, and that's the one that connects to iCloud and is used by FaceTime and other apps.

I haven't tried disconnecting my System Library and then using apps that depend on it, but I know that Photos does create a new Library when it's necessary. So check to see if you have other Libraries and, if so, open them to see what's there.

If you do use iCloud Photos, you can see that connecting and disconnecting the System Library could be problematic.

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MacOS FaceTime photos when library on external drive

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