How can I force Photos app on Mac to sync?

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How can I force Photos app on Mac to sync?

So for some time now (I don't remember if it coincided with an upgrade but it feels like at least a couple of years), the Apple Photos on my Mac lags for hours before syncing with iCloud. This happens on both my 2013 MacBook Air and my 2017 McBook Pro. I take photos with my iPhone and they immediately sync with iCloud. I login to iCloud via my Safari browser and can see the photos there, but the Photos app on my Mac says it synced at h:mm (today 09:51, and it's now 15:17) and no matter what I do it will not resync. At some point in the next few hours or overnight it will sync but not as new photos are loaded to iCloud. I also deleted a few pictures on my Mac to see if that would force a sync but it doesn't and those photos still appear in the iCloud library when I am logged in through the browser and my iPhone, yet if I delete those same photos on my iPhone they are gone in both the phone and iCloud immediately (but not on my Mac until the later sync).

Both phone and MacBooks are on the same fibre network through the same router, both connected via WiFi.

It's not that it won't eventually sync, so there is no issue being on the wrong libraries, config settings, etc., it just lags and so often when I take photos that I need to access on my Mac immediately I have to AirDrop them, then add them to my library and then clean up the duplicated later when everything has sync'd.

My MacBook Pro is on 24x7, occasionally rendering video overnight and being used by me to work during the day.

I see there have been several chains on this but all suggestions are around the above, hence why I addressed all those in my text and diagnosis. Any thoughts?

Cheers

Garry

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.1

Posted on Feb 6, 2023 7:28 AM

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Answer 1

Vilas_S

Community Specialist

Feb 7, 2023 4:18 PM in response to garryb123456

Hello garryb123456,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Sounds like you're noticing a delay when syncing your photos between your Macs and iCloud. Usually a delay with iCloud syncing could be related to your network. Have you had the chance to test a different network to see if this issue continues to occur? If you confirm this issue only occurs with you home network, try apply the following recommended Wi-Fi settings. It can help improve overall performance: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points - Apple Support

If this issue occurs with multiple networks, you can try the following steps below:

1.) Install pending updates for your Mac. Updates includes various fixes.

2.) If you're already fully updated, test this issue in safe mode. Safe mode helps further isolate possible software conflicts.

Intel processor

1.) Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.

2.) Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.

3.) You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.

Depending on your results, you're going to want to follow the steps listed under "If the issue continues in safe mode" or "If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode". Feel free to keep us posted on your results. Cheers.

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How can I force Photos app on Mac to sync?

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