Get help with the Photos app on your Mac
If Photos for macOS won't open or isn't performing as expected, try these tips.
Back up your library
Before following any of these steps, create a backup of your photo library. You can use Time Machine, use a third-party backup solution, or copy the library to an external drive. By default, your photo library is stored in the Pictures folder within your home folder.
Make sure that your software is up to date
Photos is part of the Mac operating system. You can avoid or fix many issues by running the most up-to-date version of macOS. Learn more about updating the software on your Mac.
If the Media Browser isn't showing your photos and videos
Use the Media Browser to make images from your photo library available in other apps, like Pages and iMovie. The Media Browser shows only the contents of the Photos library designated as the System Photo Library. If you have more than one Photos library—and the one you're using isn't set as the System Photo Library—the Media Browser won't show its contents.
Follow these steps to designate the current library as the System Photo Library:
Choose Photos > Settings.
Click the General button at the top of the Settings window.
Click Use as System Photo Library.
If you're having other issues with Photos
If you're experiencing other issues—like missing or blank photo thumbnails, unexpected behavior, or if Photos won’t open—test in a new library or user account.
Create a new Photos library
Quit Photos.
Press and hold the Option key while you open Photos.
In the dialog that appears, click Create New.
Give your new library a name, then click OK. Check if Photos opens successfully with this new library.
Add some photos to the new library and see if you still see the same issues.
To return to your main Photos library, quit Photos. Then open it again while holding the Option key, select your main library, and click Choose Library.
Test in another user account
Alternatively, you can open Photos in another user account on your Mac to see if Photos opens successfully.
Use the Photos library repair tool
If Photos opens with the new library, or in a different user account, it might mean that there's an issue with your library. Follow the steps to use the Photos library repair tool on your main Photos library.