Thumbnails not showing preview in photos app

I am currently using icloud for my photos and all photos are showing up in my icloud. However, not all of them are showing up in the photos app on my mac. In the photos app, their are thumbnails for all the photos but only some of them are showing a preview. When I click on the grey thumbnail no photo shows up only a blank screen. It appears as though only the photos that I have taken with my new iphone 14 pro max are not showing up in the photos app and have blank thumbnails. Any ideas on how I can fix this? See image below.

Posted on Jul 12, 2023 06:53 PM

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Posted on Jul 17, 2023 01:30 PM

I have tried all of the above and still having issues. It seems the only photos not showing previews are the ones I have taken with my iphone 14 pro max. Any screenshot or photo that was sent to me and saved are showing up, just not the ones I have taken.

3 replies

Jul 18, 2023 09:40 AM in response to yondajl

yondajl,


The gray icon with the cloud icon in the center can often indicate that the content is syncing. To help address that be sure to keep the Mac connected to power and a strong Wi-Fi connection, which should allow it to proceed with time.


In the Photos app on the Mac, try selecting Library in the sidebar, and click All Photos in the toolbar at the top of the window. Lastly, scroll to the bottom here and see if there's a progress bar or text indicating the syncing is in progress.


Be sure to also check that the macOS version installed is the latest available: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support


If you continue to have issues you may also explore having Apple Support investigate further. This link can help start a support request: Get Support


Cheers.

Jul 13, 2023 02:17 PM in response to yondajl


Hi yondaj,


Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. We understand your iCloud photos are not syncing properly to your Mac. This article has some steps that may help: If your iCloud Photos aren't syncing to your device - Apple Support.


"If your photos or videos won't sync to iCloud Photos on your device, learn how to check the status of your photo library and what to do if you see a status message. 


Check the status of your library in Photos

If your photos aren't syncing, check the status bar in the Photos app for a status message, then follow the onscreen directions or learn what your status message means

On your iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the Photos app. 
  2. In the Library tab, tap All Photos.
  3. Scroll to the bottom to see the status bar. 

On your Mac

  1. Open the Photos app.
  2. Select Library in the Photos sidebar.
  3. Click All Photos in the toolbar at the top of the window, then scroll to the bottom.


What your status message means

If your iCloud Photos aren't syncing, do not turn iCloud Photos off. Syncing with iCloud might be paused for a variety of reasons, including if you turn on certain device settings or need more iCloud storage.

If you see Saving Cellular Data or Low Cellular Data Mode

iCloud Photos automatically pauses syncing until you're connected to Wi-Fi for a variety of reasons. If this happens, you might see a status message and the option to Sync Now. To sync your photos to iCloud, tap Sync Now. Or, turn off Low Data Mode

If you see Saving Battery Power or Low Power Mode

iCloud Photos temporarily pauses syncing if your device is on Low Power Mode or if it's low on power. To sync your photos to iCloud, you can charge your device's battery, turn off Low Power Mode, or tap Sync Now next to the status message.

If you see Waiting to Sync

If you see a status message that says Waiting to Sync, make sure that your device is connected to the internet and wait a few minutes for the sync to complete.

If your iCloud storage is full or almost full

If you exceed your iCloud storage limit, photos and videos won't sync to iCloud and your library won’t stay up to date across your devices. To continue using iCloud Photos, you can upgrade your storage plan or reduce the amount of storage that you're using.

If you see Move Photos to Personal Library to Continue Syncing

If you're a participant in an iCloud Shared Photo Library and the owner's storage is full, you won't be able to sync your Personal Library until the Shared Library owner upgrades their storage plan or reduces the amount of storage that they're using. 


If your photos still aren't syncing to iCloud

Learn what to do if you don't see a status message at the bottom of the Photos app that explains why your photos aren't syncing, or syncing is taking a long time. If you see a Couldn’t Sync [number of items] to iCloud status message, learn how to move these photos to your library

Connect your device to power

If your device seems to be stuck on a status message that says Syncing [number of items] to iCloud or Syncing with iCloud…, connect your iPhone or iPad to power and to Wi-Fi.

Check your Apple ID

Make sure that you signed in to iCloud with the correct Apple ID on your device.

Learn how to sign in to iCloud

Check which Library view you're in

If you set up iCloud Shared Photo Library in iOS 16.1 or later, iPadOS 16.1 or later, or macOS Ventura or later, check which Library view you're in. When you move photos to your Shared Library, you no longer see them in your Personal Library. You also won't see photos moved to your Shared Library if you're on a device with an earlier version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS or if the iCloud Shared Photo Library owner has run out of iCloud storage.

Learn how to switch between your Personal Library and Shared Library"


We hope this helps.


Take care.


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Thumbnails not showing preview in photos app

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