Cannot view Hidden and Recently Deleted Photos on macOS Sequoia

The "View album" button isn't working in Photos to view the hidden and deleted photos album. No matter how many times I click on the button, the pop-up for touch action or enter password doesn't appear. Has anyone experienced the same ?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 15.4

Posted on May 9, 2025 7:12 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 9, 2025 7:17 AM

That hasn't happened to me. 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
  • If you're not using iCloud Photos, then rebuild your Photos Library--close Photos and re-launch by option-command-clicking the app icon. If you're using iCloud Photos, it's better not to try this.


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

May 9, 2025 7:17 AM in response to raj.puram

That hasn't happened to me. 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
  • If you're not using iCloud Photos, then rebuild your Photos Library--close Photos and re-launch by option-command-clicking the app icon. If you're using iCloud Photos, it's better not to try this.


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…

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Cannot view Hidden and Recently Deleted Photos on macOS Sequoia

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