Photos crashed (stopped responding) while switching default library, now I can't open it at all.

Hi there koraym,

If you are unable to open the Photos app on your Mac, these steps from Get help with the Photos app on your Mac can help resolve what's happening:

If you're having other issues with Photos

If you're experiencing other issues—like missing or blank photo thumbnails, unexpected behavior, or if Photos won’t open—try to see if it's an issue with your library by following these steps.

Create a new Photos library and see if your issues persist:

1. Quit Photos.

2. Press and hold the Option key while you open Photos.

3. In the dialog that appears, click Create New.

4. Give your new library a name, then click OK. Note whether Photos opens successfully with this new library.

To return to your main Photos library, quit Photos. Then open it again while holding the Option key, select your main library, and click Choose Library.

Alternatively, you can open Photos in another user account on your Mac and note whether Photos opens successfully.

If Photos opens with the new library, or in a different user account, it might mean that there's an issue with your library. Follow the steps to use the Photos library repair tool on your main Photos library.

If something else is occurring or this continues after following those steps, please provide more details on what's happening so that we can continue to assist.

Cheers!

Double click on the library you want to report with the Option+Command key held down. You don't have to go thru the Choose Library window.

Additionally, if all else fails boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Hello koraym,

If you tried to resolve the issue by using the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac and the issue is still happening, we recommend reaching out to Apple Support for more help: Get Support

Thanks.