Mac Photos App Not Syncing

Back up your library

Before following any of these steps, it's a good idea to create a backup of your photo library, even if you use iCloud Photos. You can use Time Machine, use a third-party backup solution, or copy the library to an external drive. By default, your photo library is stored in the Pictures folder within your home folder.

Make sure that your software is up to date

Automatically back up photos from your Mac or PC, connected cameras and SD cards. Windows 7 + Mac. MacOS 10.9 + Thanks for downloading Backup and Sync. Open the installer on your computer and follow the prompts to start backing up photos. Get help installing. For mobile devices. Get the Google Photos app to back up and view photos on. Create a new Photos library and see if your issues persist: Quit Photos. Press and hold the Option key while you open Photos. In the dialog that appears, click Create New. Give your new library a name, then click OK. Note whether Photos opens successfully with this new library. To return to your main Photos library, quit Photos.

Photos is part of the Mac operating system. You can avoid or fix many issues by running the most up-to-date version of macOS. Learn more about updating the software on your Mac.

If you use RAW images in Photos, learn more about the digital camera RAW formats supported by iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

If you have trouble migrating an existing iPhoto or Aperture library to Photos

You might see an alert message when you first open Photos or migrate an existing iPhoto or Aperture library. Learn what to do if Photos can’t copy or create a library.

If the Media Browser isn't showing your photos and videos

Use the Media Browser to make images from your photo library available in other apps, like Pages and iMovie. The Media Browser shows only the contents of the Photos library designated as the System Photo Library. If you have more than one Photos library—and the one you're using isn't set as the System Photo Library—the Media Browser won't show its contents.

Follow these steps to designate the current library as the System Photo Library:

  1. Choose Photos > Preferences.
  2. Click the General button at the top of the Preferences window.
  3. Click Use as System Photo Library.

If you're having other issues with Photos

Icloud photos on pc not syncing

If you're experiencing other issues—like missing or blank photo thumbnails, unexpected behavior, or if Photos won’t open—try to see if it's an issue with your library by following these steps.

Create a new Photos library and see if your issues persist:

  1. Quit Photos.
  2. Press and hold the Option key while you open Photos.
  3. In the dialog that appears, click Create New.
  4. Give your new library a name, then click OK. Note whether Photos opens successfully with this new library.

To return to your main Photos library, quit Photos. Then open it again while holding the Option key, select your main library, and click Choose Library.

Alternatively, you can open Photos in another user account on your Mac and note whether Photos opens successfully.

If Photos opens with the new library, or in a different user account, it might mean that there's an issue with your library. Follow the steps to use the Photos library repair tool on your main Photos library.

Learn more

  • Learn how to create and order print products like books or calendars in Photos with Project Extensions.
  • Get help with iCloud Photos.
  • 1. Mac Files Tips
  • 2. Mac Software
  • 3. Mac Storage Tips
  • 4. Mac Troubleshooting
  • 5. Mac OS
  • 6. Mac Error

by Jenefey AaronUpdated on 2019-10-22 / Update for Mac OS

“Library is not working in photos in macOS Catalina. Recently I updated to macOS Catalina but after the update, photos are not working. I am getting library could not be opened error. How can I recover from it?” – From Apple Discussion.

The library not working is one of the most famous macOS issues. So, the users have faced it numerous times and it mostly occurs after an update. Although it is a well-known error, when this error occurs, there are also several associated issues like;

  • the library could not be opened
  • Photos app crashes on launch in Catalina
  • photos are missing after Cataina
  • updating library is not working in photos

So, this needs to get fixed immediately in order to enjoy the much-awaited advanced features of macOS Catalina. Just read the article below and you will get your answers.

  • Part 1: Fix Library is Not Working in Photos in macOS Catalina

Part 1: Fix Library is Not Working in Photos in macOS Catalina

There are multiple ways to fix photos library could not be opened. These procedures are effective. So, follow the details provided below, carefully.

Solution 1: Use Mac Built-in Photos Library Repair Tool

If Mac photos the library could not be opened or it is showing unexpected errors, then Photos Library Repair Tool is one of the best ways to fix it. This is a built-in repair tool, comes with macOS and it is pretty easy to use.

Step 1: Press and hold the “Option” and “Command” keys while photos are opened on your Mac.

Step 2: Then, a dialog box will appear, click on “Repair” to proceed.

You will be asked to provide a password for your user account. The tool will analyze the library database at the beginning. Depending on the size of the library, the repair could take a while.

Solution 2: Update Photos App If It is Not Up to Date

It is possible that Photos app on your Mac has not been updated in a while. As you have just updated to Catalina, the latest version of macOS. It is possible that macOS Catalina is interfering with the older version of Photos app.

So, if you just update the Photos app to its latest version, the issue may get fixed.

Solution 3: Force Quit Photos then Re-launch to Fix Library is Not Working in Photos in macOS Catalina

It is also possible that you are facing a temporary glitch with the app. So, force-quit the Photos app and launch it again.

Possibly the library issue may get fixed.

Solution 4: Disable Autoplay Videos Setting in Photos

This is a very simple fix. Here’s how to do it;

Step 1: Click Launchpad from your mac desktop and open Photos app.

Step 2: Go to Photos > Preferences and you will find the option Autoplay Videos and Live Photos.

Now, simply uncheck the feature.

Solution 5: Reinstall macOS Catalina to Fix Library is Not Working in Photos in macOS Catalina

You should also try re-installing macOS Catalina if the error still hasn’t disappeared. But the proper way to re-install macOS Catalina is to use Mac’s Recovery Mode. Here’s how to repair photo library Mac:

Step 1: So, restart your Mac. While the device is starting, you need to hold “Command and R” keys together in order to enter Recovery Mode.

Step 2: As the follow-up window appears, click on “Reinstall macOS”. Then, click on “Continue”.

Step 3: Then, you have to agree to “Terms & Conditions”.

Step 4: Finally, select the drive where you want to install macOS Catalina and click “Install”.

Photos Not Syncing Ipad

Part 2: What If Your Photos are Lost after Fixing Library is Not Working in Photos in macOS Catalina

There is a possibility that photos from your photo library may get erased even after fixing the library. If that happens, you need to make a photo recovery Mac.

Although, the discussed solutions for the library fix are very effective but so many changes were made on the Mac system that lost photos are a possibility. Now, in order to recover lost photo on Mac, an effective data recovery program is required and it needs to be used immediately. As the longer you wait, the chances of photo recovery gets slimmer.

So, stop using the Mac and use Tenorshare UltData-Mac Data Recovery. UltData is a great software developed by Tenorshare, provides effective data recovery with precision and software is quite secure as well. Here are a few important features of the software:

  • UltData is capable of recovery of any sort of lost files on Mac.
  • May it be a deleted file of lost due to format, UltData will make the recovery anyway.
  • Files can be restored from internal hard drive, as well as external drives.
  • The data recovery rate is 100%.
  • The program is also safe to use and very secure.

Now, the recovery of those lost photos will be very easy with UltData. Just follow the steps below:

Step 1: Download and install Tenorshare UltData for Mac on your computer and launch it.

Step 2: Choose the location of the lost photos and click “Scan” to proceed.

Step 3: It will take a while to complete the scan but upon its completion, the scan results will get displayed on the screen. You can click on them to preview the details.

Step 4: The lost files will be among the results. Just choose them and click “Recover” to restore them successfully.

You also have to choose a path where the restored photos will be located. Don’t choose the same location from they were originally, erased. Doing it will cause permanent data loss.

Part 3: Some New Features of Photos in macOS Catalina You Need to Know

The macOS Catalina is the newest addition to the macOS line up. It is brand new, better, faster and equipped with some amazing new features. Let’s have a look.

Photos View

All your photos and videos will be displayed on a grid. This is the new Photos View. You will be able to zoom in and get a larger view and additional details. The photos on the grid will be visible in a square format.

Live Photos and Videos

Live videos and photos are also included in the photo library. You just have to click “Auto-Play” when they are visible on the screen. It uses a dynamic display system.

Memory Movies

You will be able to view memory movies that you created on your iOS device. So, finally, memory movies came to Mac.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is included. It helps to realize the photos app, who is in the photo and what is going on. This helps users in many ways.

Conclusion

Mac Photos App Not Syncing Itunes

Hence, you will be able to repair photo library Mac and it will be easier if you just follow the detailed solution mentioned in the article, above. But as mentioned before, it is possible that you may lose some of your stored images from the library while fixing it. If it happens, you need to stop using the Mac immediately and use Tenorshare UltData for the fast and successful recovery of those photos.