Typically, iCloud Photos works to sync images and videos across all of your hardware that is linked to the same Apple ID and has Photos sync enabled. If not, don’t expect much feedback from macOS. First, try some other debugging tips:
- Exit Photos and launch it while holding down the Command and Option keys, then click RepairOnce done, check if the sync starts.
- Try turning off iCloud Photos in Photos > Settings/Preferences > iCloud. When prompted, select Download and keep the originals. Then turn it back on. Resyncing can take hours or even days if it works.
To repair a photo library, hold down the Command and Option keys while launching the Photos app.
To repair a Photo Library, hold down the Command and Option keys while launching the Photos app.
Foundry
To repair a photo library, hold down the Command and Option keys while launching the Photos app.
Foundry
Foundry
If these actions do not resolve your issues, there is a longer method that might help:
- Quit Photos for macOS.
- Rename the Photos library, which is usually located in the Pictures folder in your home directory. (If you don’t have enough room to keep the full library and a new synced version, copy the original to an external volume.)
- Hold Option while launching Photos.
- Click on Create a new one and follow the instructions to create and save a new photo library.
- In Photos > Settings/Preferences > GeneralClick on Use as system photo library.
- Go to Photos > Settings/Preferences > iCloud and check iCloud Photos.
Syncing should now start and your Photos library will now be populated via upload from your iCloud account.
If there are any photos or videos needed in the renamed Photo Library, once the sync is successfully completed (assuming that is the case), get a copy of PowerPhotos ($29.95 USD), as this is the only way to merge Photo Libraries. You can select the current one that is successfully synced and the archived one and use the app to merge the contents with your successfully synced library. Once merged, the newly added photos during the merge will then be synced to iCloud.
This Mac 911 article is a response to a question submitted by igamesnews reader Billy.
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