My photo stream not working

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Level 2

177 points

My photo stream not working

Something isn't right on my iMac for My Photo Stream. I can't get Photos to receive photos from my iPad or iPhones, but the iMac does seem to send them. My Photo Stream seems to work OK between the iPad and the iPhone.

I have iCloud set up and logged in, and I have enabled My Photo Stream in my Photos preferences, but am not using iCloud Photos - the iMac is my master repository for all my photos (backed up of course) and I don't see any need to pay for extra iCloud storage.

What might I be missing?

Paul.

iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021, 2 ports)

Posted on Nov 17, 2022 8:02 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

brbo

Level 8

35,891 points

Nov 18, 2022 7:21 PM in response to Paul Fryer

Wondering if anything in Apple Support's articles can help:

My Photo Stream - Apple Support

says:

"If you're using My Photo Stream instead of iCloud Photos,

your photos or videos might appear to be missing"

(says: Go to Photos > Albums > My Photo Stream.)

________________________________________________________

About iCloud Photos and My Photo Stream - Apple Support

_________________________________________________________

If My Photo Stream isn't updating – Apple Support

Eg: says (on Mac) : "Open the Photos app.

Then choose Photos > Preferences. Click iCloud (or Photo Stream).

Make sure that My Photo Stream is selected."

__________________________________________________________

If you have multiple libraries in Photos, you may have to designate one for My Photo Stream.

Designate a System Photo Library in Photos – Apple Support

says:

"The System Photo Library is the only library that can be used

with iCloud Photos, Shared Albums and My Photo Stream"

_________________________________________________________________________

If you still need help, you might want to try reaching out to the Photos Support Team:

There is a "Get Support" link (at the very bottom), of their website (link below)

Photos - Official Apple Support

All the best :-)

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Answer 2

brbo

Level 8

35,891 points

Nov 19, 2022 1:30 PM in response to Paul Fryer

Thank you for your, reply, and for letting us know how you solved that issue!

You could likely import those other photos and videos directly into the Mac.

Eg: import using "Image Capture" or import using the "Photos" app.

Apple support's articles can help, either way:

ie: Photos app: (NB: is for "Ventura" OS, or please choose your Mac OS version at the top of the article).

Import photos from a camera or phone using Photos on Mac – Apple Support

Or for "Image Capture" app (again, please check for correct Mac OS version at the top of the article)

Transfer images in Image Capture on Mac – Apple Support

NB: there is also another option:

Use AirDrop to quickly send photos and videos to your Mac.

Cheers :-)

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Answer 3

Paul Fryer Author

Level 2

177 points

Nov 19, 2022 8:13 AM in response to brbo

Thanks for all those links. I went through them all, and finally found resolution in the last one.

The problem was that My Photo Stream was working fine on the iPad and iPhone, but would only load photos FROM the iMac to the other devices - nothing would get sent TO the iMac (my main photo depository).

I eventually went and designated a different Photos library as the system library, then designated it back again, and things seem to be working OK now. Obviously some hidden glitch in there.

So I now have another question. How do I get those photos taken earlier on the iPhone (that My Photo Stream didn't upload) up into the iMac - they are more than 30 days old? I think there are some videos mixed in there too, that MPS would never have transferred anyway. I don't want to turn on iCloud Photos if it would mean that the iMac would try and upload into iCloud all 11,000 photos currently in my main Photos library.

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