When I use the #images search in iMessage on my Mac, it does not show any search results, only grey boxes. If I click on one of those boxes I get a Could Not Share Image error message.
The other iMessage apps (Photos, Stickers, etc) all work fine.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.4
I just got my new M4 Max Mac Studio a few days ago - when I did the migration, some weird file was causing all sorts of issues so, after spending over 2 hours on the phone with Apple Tech Support, who were great, it was decided I would erase everything and migrate again
Now, this new issue and Apple's advice to you is to erase and load a backup - I really don't want to do that all over again
There has to be a better way
I did the recovery method as I have so many apps and audio software that requires licenses that I do not want to erase my entire Mac Studio and have to find every single audio library/plugin license code to reinstall everything all over again
I might have a Time Machine backup from a few days ago before this issue started but, the last time I restored from a Time Machine backup (it's an HDD), it took about 5-6 hours and, at this moment, I need the Mac Studio to get work done - potentially, I could do that this weekend
All of that being said, it's amazing that Apple has done nothing about this issue, considering I have seen this same exact issues posted for years on Reddit with still no fix other than erasing the Mac and starting from scratch
I just booted in Recovery mode and reinstalled macOS -- the issue was not fixed
Thanks. I can’t verify it but hopefully this helps people in the future.
The #images folder disposal worked for me. Mac Studio M1 Ultra, Sequoia 15.5. Thank you!
This worked like a charm. Thank you!!
This worked for me!
I contacted Apple support. They had me create a test account on the same machine and login to iMessage with my Apple account. No problem there so they determined it was a cache issue. They said the next step was to completely reset my machine and I told them no way, it’s not worth it. So they escalated my issue to the next level. That person started backing up and then blowing away cache folders. It did not fix the issue. Then they restored all the cache from backups. Again they said to reset the machine. That is code for IT saying we give up. I told that person it also was not worth it and they closed the ticket.
However, messing with the cache completely screwed up several applications beyond repair, so I gave up and spent hours resetting my machine.
I hope you have better luck.
Nothing. I have nothing to say bc I’ve been saying it for so long and nobody listened. I just want those users privately/individually to give me back what’s mine as far as technology as a whole goes in retaining my personal data trail giving credit where credit is due, of course. I may need guidance with how to properly do that…_personally I want PEACE. And I want my heart and soul and reputation and creative credit bc what I did, alone, in every sense of the word, was purely based on the power of my material love for my daughter. I self navigated with no technical training, but credit where credit is due for all facts and discovery thanks to the World Wide Web 💖
SOLVED!!!!!! Find & trash this folder "#images"
1) Quit Messages
2) Look for & trash folder "#images".
Breadcrumb: Macintosh HD >> Users >> [your user name] >> Library >> Containers>> #images
3) Restart Messages
Running Sequoia 15.5. Issue started after using Time Machine to move content to my new machine.
I just started having this exact issue a few minutes ago (macOS Sequoia 15.5; Mac Studio M4 Max)
I quit Messages, restarted the computer, and still seeing the grey boxes and receiving that same error when trying to search or click on one of the grey boxes
I also signed out of Messages, restarted computer, then signed in, still seeing the grey boxes and getting that same error when trying to search or click on one of the grey boxes
"#images" works on my iPhone 15 Pro Max with iOS 18.5
I am hoping someone finds your thread here and can help us both out
Did you do the recovery method that keeps your apps and data or a full wipe?
I did the full erase method. I suspected keeping my apps and data would not fix it.
They’re waves.
One way or another
Why are images not showing up in iMessage search on my MacBook Air?
