Can’t Find Photos on MacBook? Troubleshooting Tips

Losing track of your precious photos on your MacBook can be frustrating. Whether you’re using the Photos app or storing them elsewhere, this guide provides troubleshooting steps to help you locate your missing images.

Common Reasons Why You Can’t Find Photos

Several factors can contribute to missing photos on a MacBook:

• Incorrectly Set System Photo Library: The Photos app uses a designated System Photo Library. If you have multiple libraries and the wrong one is selected, your photos might not appear in the Media Browser used by other applications.
• Outdated Software: Running an outdated version of macOS or having compatibility issues with RAW image formats can lead to problems within the Photos app.
• Library Corruption: Your Photos library might be corrupted, causing missing thumbnails, unexpected behavior, or preventing the app from opening altogether.
• Accidental Deletion: You might have unintentionally deleted the photos or the folder containing them.
• Hidden Files: The photos might be hidden, either by you or by a system process.
• External Drive Issues: If your photos are stored on an external drive, it might be disconnected, malfunctioning, or improperly formatted.

Solutions to Recover Missing Photos

Here are some solutions to help you find your photos:

Check the System Photo Library

1. Open Photos > Preferences.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Ensure the correct library is designated as the “Use as System Photo Library“.

Update Your Software

1. Go to System Preferences > Software Update.
2. Install any available macOS updates.
3. Check for updates to the Photos app in the App Store.

Repair Your Photo Library

1. Quit Photos.
2. Hold down the Option and Command keys while reopening Photos.
3. Click Repair in the dialog box.

Create a New Library (for testing)

1. Quit Photos.
2. Hold down the Option key while reopening Photos.
3. Choose Create New.
4. See if your issues persist in the new library.

Search for the Photos

1. Use Spotlight Search (Command + Space) to search for the photos by filename, date, or other keywords.
2. Check the Recently Deleted folder in the Photos app.
3. Browse your Home folder and other locations where you might have stored the photos.

Check External Drives

1. Ensure any external drives are connected properly.
2. Check the drive’s health using Disk Utility.

Show Hidden Files

1. Open Terminal.
2. Enter the command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE and press Return.
3. Enter the command: killall Finder and press Return. This will restart Finder and reveal hidden files.

Preventing Future Photo Loss

• Regularly Back Up Your Photos: Use Time Machine, iCloud Photos, or a third-party backup solution.
• Organize Your Photos: Create folders and albums to keep your photos organized.
• Be Mindful of Deleting Photos: Double-check before deleting any photos.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding your missing photos and prevent future photo loss. If you’ve tried all the steps and still can’t find your photos, consider contacting Apple Support for further assistance.