macOS Photos: Unknown Error (3) when exporting as jpeg photos edited using Clean Up on iPhone16

I'm running macOS 15.4 and my iPhone 16 Pro Max is running iOs 18.4.

I shoot photos with the iPhone and use the cleanup function, then the edited photos are synchronized with Mac photos and are viewable just fine there.

However, if I try to export the photo to JPEG I get Unknown Error (3).


This report Getting Unknown Error (3) when exporting … - Apple Community

is similar but I get the error just exporting to my mac internal SSD on the Data volume - which is APFS formatted.


I can export the original to HEIC unmodified, but then the image is not cleaned up!


I have not found any workaround so far, very annoying.



MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.4

Posted on Apr 10, 2025 4:15 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 11, 2025 6:25 AM

I just tried exporting a couple of pictures on which I used Clean Up (Erase and Retouch,) and it worked normally. You've already covered a number of things we usually check!


 To narrow things down, try these steps:

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

           Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support 


Those are the easiest things to try first. Then try these:

  • 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.
  • Make a new user and see if the same problem recurs with it
  • Rebuild your Photos Library--close Photos and re-launch by option-command-clicking the app icon.


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.


Let us know what happens…

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 11, 2025 6:25 AM in response to edoardoc

I just tried exporting a couple of pictures on which I used Clean Up (Erase and Retouch,) and it worked normally. You've already covered a number of things we usually check!


 To narrow things down, try these steps:

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

           Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support 


Those are the easiest things to try first. Then try these:

  • 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.
  • Make a new user and see if the same problem recurs with it
  • Rebuild your Photos Library--close Photos and re-launch by option-command-clicking the app icon.


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.


Let us know what happens…

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.

macOS Photos: Unknown Error (3) when exporting as jpeg photos edited using Clean Up on iPhone16

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