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User profile for user: Kuleto1122
Kuleto1122 Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Photos - Error Downloading Photo

Hi, I am attempting a migration from iPhoto to Photos via an external hard drive. The photos seem to have migrated, but I cannot view. An error message is presented when I attempt to view:


Error Downloading Photo

An error occurred while loading a higher quality version of this photo. Please try again later.


I tried again later and received the same message. I can access the existing pictures in Photos. I cannot view the migrated pictures. However, the videos migrated and can be viewed just fine. Is there something else I can do to access the pictures here?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.4

Posted on Nov 14, 2021 4:57 AM

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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
196,977 points

Posted on Nov 14, 2021 6:30 AM

What is the file system format of the external hard drive you are using?


The external hard drive needs to be formatted MacOS Extended (Journaled), it must not have been used for Time Machine backups, and needs to be connected with a wired connection, see: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support


If the external volume is not compatible, move the iPhoto Library to a correctly formatted volume and try again.


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User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
196,977 points

Nov 14, 2021 6:30 AM in response to Kuleto1122

What is the file system format of the external hard drive you are using?


The external hard drive needs to be formatted MacOS Extended (Journaled), it must not have been used for Time Machine backups, and needs to be connected with a wired connection, see: Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support


If the external volume is not compatible, move the iPhoto Library to a correctly formatted volume and try again.


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User profile for user: Kuleto1122
Kuleto1122 Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Nov 14, 2021 8:41 AM in response to léonie

Thank you for your help! The external hard drive is the drive I took out of my old Macbook Pro late 2008 before disposing of the laptop. I can't image the OS was anything more recent than OSX El Capitain and photos were from an iPhoto version around 2014 or so. Currently, I am using a 2019 Macbook Air and running Big Sur 11.6 wtih Photos v6. The videos from the old hard drive transfer just fine and can be viewed. The photos all have what appears to be a presence or place holder in the Photo Library, but when I click on any photo thumbnail (thumbnail is blank with no image), I get the error message stated above. Does this help?

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Photos - Error Downloading Photo

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