Unable to import iPhone photos to 'Photo Library' on external drive location

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Unable to import iPhone photos to 'Photo Library' on external drive location

Photos no longer allows me to import iPhone photos (via direct cable connection to computer)to my 'Photo Library' located on an external drive location. When I attempt to import(click import) the import folder opens and nothing happens(no error message or anything). Please Help!

Has only become an issue this calendar year and have been using this set up for 4-5 years without issue. Possibly some pertinent info?:

1)System software 15.1.1

2)Photos version 10.0(711.0.180)

3) External drive format ExFAT.

4)External drive make WD

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac Pro

Posted on Dec 24, 2024 12:53 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 3, 2025 9:11 AM in response to Treefeather

Just for your information, ExFat was never a compatible format for the Photos Library. So many problems occurred with Library corruptions that Photos now checks to see if the Library is on a compatible drive before allowing its use. That's probably why our problems started suddenly-- Photos started checking. You're lucky; so many people had corrupted Libraries! You can see this:

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

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Answer 2

Treefeather Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 26, 2024 8:31 AM in response to Treefeather

Think I figured it out..ExFAT format no longer compatible.Shifted to OS Extended. Seems to work now.

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Answer 3

Jan 2, 2025 9:37 PM in response to Treefeather

I'm using external HDD also for my macbook photo library and it stops importing photos since last month. so buying a new OS extended would solve the problem? is it working to transfer the photo library from the HDD to the OS Extended?

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Answer 4

Jan 3, 2025 9:13 AM in response to strawberrysunday

The drive may be fine-- it's the format that could be the problem. You didn't say how your HDD is formatted…

Also, are you using iCloud Photos?

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Answer 5

Treefeather Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 3, 2025 2:10 PM in response to strawberrysunday

Actually, I erased and reformatted the drive to OS Extended and the problem was fixed. Obviously, you probably have to get a new drive unless you have the Library stored elsewhere as well.

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Answer 6

Treefeather Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 3, 2025 2:11 PM in response to Treefeather

I think that's what Richard.Taylor is saying as well...

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Unable to import iPhone photos to 'Photo Library' on external drive location

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