Can't name faces on MAC photo

In large image when trying to name unnamed faces, I click the add a face and get the little circle I used to move over the face to be named. Now, instead of letting me move the face naming circle the click causes a small image of the exact image I am working on. When I unclick, it goes away but I still can't add names and eventually delete the face naming circle by clicking the "X" which does work. I used to add and change name all the time but the little echo image won't allow it now. Thanks in advance.

iMac 24″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Oct 15, 2023 03:38 PM

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Posted on Jul 22, 2024 02:28 PM

"Repair Library" solved the problem. Unfortunately, Richard Taylor's explanation of how to do this was well hidden upthread, but I found it eventually. Thank you, Richard!

13 replies

Oct 24, 2023 07:50 AM in response to Nansaf

The problem is that the computer forgets that you're naming, and instead it thinks you want to move the whole picture.


To restore the focus to the naming, just give a random spot on the picture a quick click first, and then grab the circle. I usually just give a little click inside the circle, then click and drag it where I need it. Sometimes I click in the name field, type the name, and then move the circle. But that doesn't always work.


It's weird that this happens some of the time, and not others.


Great old picture, by the way. I'm also working on old family Photos.


Aug 23, 2024 07:48 PM in response to Nansaf

Just finished setting up a 4TB library and had this same problem. I tried everything and the problem remained. I logged into a new user and the same thing happened. I made a new library and same thing happened. At this point I realized it's not the photo library or the pictures it has to be the app. Unfortunately I'm running my user folder off an external drive and didn't set up time machine to back up the internal drive, so no way to restore a previous version of the app. My next step was going to be a reinstall of the OS, but first I decided to do recovery mode and run disk utility. I ran the first aid and it found some inconsistencies so I rebooted and then checked the photos app again and sure enough it now works as intended!! I would give this a try first and if that doesn't work I'd reinstall the OS next.


UPDATE:


Back to not working, I'm rebuilding right now and next step will be reinstall if the issue remains.

Aug 25, 2024 07:44 AM in response to MacProOnly

•••••RESOLVED•••••


WOW. . . .they keep finding new ways to prevent you from doing what used to be easy. I installed Sonoma on another drive and put a few test pictures in and the issue was resolved. When I went to copy the photos app on to my hard drive it wouldn't allow me to do it, all you can do is make an alias, won't even let you copy via terminal either. That being said I had to reinstall the OS on my main drive. Make sure you have a back up before you do this in the event there are issues during the install.

The install completed and I the issue was resolved, I was able to move the face circles around again and name poeple. I left the computer on and the photos app open overnight and when I came in this morning the people/pets section had populated quite a bit more photos for all the people I had in there. So it appears to be working as expected until the next time.


Hope this helps anyone experiencing similar issues.

Oct 17, 2023 03:26 PM in response to jmarse1

Thank you for responding. I do know how to put names on the images. My problem is I can't name them because when I click on the circle to drag it to a face and little picture of the picture I am working on pops up and I can't make it go away. Sample below. I must have set something I don't want but don't know how to stop it.

Jun 17, 2024 08:51 AM in response to Figleaf2012

Figleaf2012 wrote: No idea what you mean by "Rebuild Photos".

Close Photos. Then option-command-cllick the Photos app. You should find a dialog that offers to "Repair Library."


For me, when I do this, the dialog window opens behind other app windows-- it was quite confusing the first time. So if you don't see the window, click on Photos again to bring it to the front.

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Can't name faces on MAC photo

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