Photos not displaying in messenger (desktop)

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Level 1

29 points

Photos not displaying in messenger (desktop)

I have a minor, odd, and slightly annoying situation that I can not figure out how to fix.

I have Messages working on four devices: iPhone, the iPad, an MacBook Air, and the desktop Mac. In the first three, if an image is sent, it will display automatically. On the Mac the images do not. Instead, clicking on the down arrow prompts me to save it to photos. An example is below.

I have checked the settings for Messages on the laptop, where the images show, and they are the same as the desktop settings. Both are running MacOS Monterey - 12.1 for the Mac, 12.0.1 for the MacBook Air. Of the four devices, the Mac is the newest one.

Any ideas or clues as to why this one is not displaying the images? I could not find anything obvious (at least, obvious to me) in the System Preferences that would prevent this from displaying.

Thanks for any insights you can share.

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Jan 14, 2022 4:13 PM

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Answer 1

genieen16

Community Specialist

Jan 15, 2022 4:04 PM in response to hoopsmiller

Welcome, hoopsmiller!

From your post, it sounds like you are experiencing an issue with the way incoming photos appear in Messages on your Mac. We’re glad that you reached out to the Apple Support Communities. We want to try and help you find the answers you need.

Has this issue always happened with the iMac? If not, what changes were made to the iMac before the start of the issue? If you have not tried already, please restart the iMac. Does this help to resolve the issue? Often this simple step will refresh the apps and software on the device to solve numerous problems you may encounter.

Does the issue happen with a specific user? If you do not have an alternate user, you may need to create one to test with. Here's more information on that process: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac.

Once more information is posted, others in the Apple Support Communities may be able to offer insight as to why this is happening.

Take care!

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Answer 2

genieen16

Community Specialist

Jan 18, 2022 2:21 PM in response to hoopsmiller

hoopsmiller,

Thank you for returning to the Apple Support Communities with this information. We're glad to see you had a chance to review your Mail app settings to make sure all was well there. Rebooting is also a very good step to try with most issues, as it can help quite a bit!

It may be helpful for you to create a new user account to test to see if the issue is present in another user name. Another step to consider would be to check and make sure this issue is not related to connectivity. If you're able to, you may want to take the Mac to another location, connect to the Wi-Fi network there, and check to see if you continue to have the problem.

If the problem happens with another user and also while on another network, you'll want to Contact Apple for support and service.

Cheers!

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Answer 3

hoopsmiller Author

Level 1

29 points

Jan 18, 2022 11:08 AM in response to genieen16

Thanks for your reply - I have restarted the computer (that pushes the limit of my technical skills, but it is my go-to move). I am the only user on this computer, so I can't say if it works with others.

I saw some other articles on this happening with Mail, so I went in and made sure the Protect Mail Activity, Hide IP Address and Block All Remote Content were unchecked, then I reset the computer. Images are still not being delayed.

I have had nothing but problems with this computer from the day it was purchased. I'm afraid this is just one more thing that is wrong with it.

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Photos not displaying in messenger (desktop)

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