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On one of my photos when trying to open them I get cannot find the original file {where do I find the file}

when opening my photos I get a dialogue box saying cannot find the original file or its offline how do I find the original file


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Nov 13, 2022 5:07 PM

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Posted on Nov 13, 2022 11:21 PM

Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?


A Managed Library, is the default setting, and Photos copies files into the Photos  Library when Importing. The files are then stored within the Library package


A Referenced Library is when Photos is NOT copying the files into the Photos Library when importing because you made a change at Photo -> Preferences -> General. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 13, 2022 11:21 PM in response to abbccdd123

Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?


A Managed Library, is the default setting, and Photos copies files into the Photos  Library when Importing. The files are then stored within the Library package


A Referenced Library is when Photos is NOT copying the files into the Photos Library when importing because you made a change at Photo -> Preferences -> General. (You unchecked the option to copy files into the Library on import) The files are then stored where ever you put them and not in the Library package. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.

On one of my photos when trying to open them I get cannot find the original file {where do I find the file}

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