Switching system photo library is not responding

Hello iberahims,

We would like to see how we can help you with your Photos. We have specific instructions for this process, and the same article also contains instructions for what to do if you see an error when moving your Photos library:

Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

If you're still having issues after following those instructions, contacting Apple Support is the best path forward to resolve this issue. They will be best equipped to address this:

Contact - Official Apple Support

Cheers!

iberahims,

We noted you've mentioned using macOS 13.1. As of the moment the latest version will be macOS 13.2. Updating can help ensure the device is using the latest available improvements/fixes. This page can provide help with updating, if needed: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

With regards to designating the new library as the System Photo Library, this page can also provide some assistance: Designate a System Photo Library in Photos - Apple Support

If you do still experience any issues afterwards then you may use this link to reach out to Apple Support for a further investigation: Apple Support

Cheers.

When you say "external drive," the first thing we need to know is, how is that drive formatted? Apple says that to get full functionality (and to avoid damaging the Photos Library) an external drive must be formatted in either APFS format or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. Additionally, the drive can not have had Time Machine on it since it was formatted.

Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support

Sometimes a Library will work for a while on a not-Mac formatted drive, but it catches up with you.

Do you have "Optimize Mac Storage" checked in Photos Settings?