User profile for user: Pey
Pey Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Pictures and Albums Disappeared from Photos App

Hello,


I have an M1 MacBook Pro with the latest OS. Today I noticed that all of my pictures and albums have disappeared from my MacBook Photos app. I didn't accidentally delete them and I've checked the hidden folders and recently deleted folders and nothing is there.


It doesn't look like the file size of my Photos app has decreased at all, it looks normal, but everything is just gone and it's empty. Any ideas of what's happened here and what to do? If need be, I can restore from Time Machine, but would like to know what happened. Thanks!


P

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Feb 17, 2025 6:36 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: markwmsn
markwmsn
User level: Level 6
16,947 points

Posted on Feb 18, 2025 9:45 PM

Make sure your Photos app is using the right Photos library. (Pictures, videos, and albums are stored in the library, not in the app.)

Check which library your app is using right now in Photos > Settings > General > Library Location. Unless you have moved it or created multiple libraries, your library is likely to be in the Pictures folder in your home directory.

You can have Photos scan for usable libraries on your Mac by quitting it and relaunching it with the Option key held down. That may show that you have created an empty library and just need to switch back to your full library. (Photos will by default stick with the last library you use, so if you create an empty library you will keep seeing it until you switch back.)

View in context

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: markwmsn
markwmsn
User level: Level 6
16,947 points

Feb 18, 2025 9:45 PM in response to Pey

Make sure your Photos app is using the right Photos library. (Pictures, videos, and albums are stored in the library, not in the app.)

Check which library your app is using right now in Photos > Settings > General > Library Location. Unless you have moved it or created multiple libraries, your library is likely to be in the Pictures folder in your home directory.

You can have Photos scan for usable libraries on your Mac by quitting it and relaunching it with the Option key held down. That may show that you have created an empty library and just need to switch back to your full library. (Photos will by default stick with the last library you use, so if you create an empty library you will keep seeing it until you switch back.)

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Pictures and Albums Disappeared from Photos App

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up