iCloud Photos stuck restoring large library on external SSD

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iCloud Photos stuck restoring large library on external SSD

Here's the scenario: Large, newly merged photo library stuck at "Restoring to iCloud" for two days. I need it to sync.

Here are details: Running sequoia 15.6.1 on a 2024 MacBook Pro. I used the PowerPhotos app to merge two iPhotos libraries. The finished product library was so large (67379 photos, 2893 videos) it was sinking the ship, so I put the library on a brand new Samsung T7 SSD that I formatted pre transfer to APFS (with GUID Partition Map). Post transfer, I have 118GB of free storage on the Mac. I have 2TB of icloud storage of which 1.8TB is free. I am on wifi with 664.7 Mbps download speed and 379.2Mbps upload speed. I have indeed set the newly merged library as the System Library and checked and double checked all boxes, etc. Yes, iCloud is set to sync. I have restarted the Mac.

Help, please.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Nov 21, 2025 7:42 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 21, 2025 8:46 AM in response to Nat-

Nat- wrote: … I have 118GB of free storage on the Mac.

This could be too crowded for Photos to do its work. On my 1 TB MacAir, I saw problems with less than 150GB free. The effect of low storage space could be a slow down or other problems.

Two days just may not be long enough. If it persists for a week, I'd turn off iCloud and re-build the Library (close Photos and re-launch by option-command-clicking the app icon.) When you turn on iCloud again, it’s possible that this will still require a re-sync that lasts long enough to make you nervous.

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