Can't import large amount of photos

When I try to import 7 thousand photos, a window says "Unable to import an item This item cannot be added to your photo library because the file is in an unknown format or contains invalid data." with all 7k photos listed appearing. The strange thing about it is that after closing that window and trying to upload one of the photos it says the same, but when I create a new library the same photo successfully uploads there, but if I trying upload the rest, that window appears again and it imports only about 20-30 photos from 7k. But when I reopened the app again with the default library that one photo I was talking about before uploads as well, and if I try to upload other photos everything repeats.

MacBook Air Apple Silicon

Posted on Feb 24, 2023 01:26 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 25, 2023 04:41 PM

Hello artya,


Let's use the steps below to repair your Photos library:


1. If the Photos app  on your Mac is open, choose Photos > Quit Photos.
2. Press Option-Command and double-click the Photos icon in the Applications folder (or click the Photos icon in the Dock).
3. In the Repair Library window, click Repair to rebuild your photo library.


You can also find those steps in this resource: Repair your library in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


That process can help further isolate a conflict with the libraries on your Mac.


Should that still persist, has this happened when importing from multiple sources?


Let us know, and we'll keep moving forward from there.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 25, 2023 04:41 PM in response to artya

Hello artya,


Let's use the steps below to repair your Photos library:


1. If the Photos app  on your Mac is open, choose Photos > Quit Photos.
2. Press Option-Command and double-click the Photos icon in the Applications folder (or click the Photos icon in the Dock).
3. In the Repair Library window, click Repair to rebuild your photo library.


You can also find those steps in this resource: Repair your library in Photos on Mac - Apple Support


That process can help further isolate a conflict with the libraries on your Mac.


Should that still persist, has this happened when importing from multiple sources?


Let us know, and we'll keep moving forward from there.

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Can't import large amount of photos

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