You do everything right, yet disaster still strikes.
At least, thats where Lifehacker readerJoannefinds herself today.
I had 31700 photos and 1100 videos on my iMac photo library.
Releasing there were some duplicates I downloaded photosweeper, just started the process when photo library crashed.
Can you offer any help or advice?
When a recovery doesnt recover
Im sorry youre dealing with this, Joanne.
First off, have you checkediCloud?
Before we do anything else, though, lets back up your existing Photo Library.
On the macOS desktop, click onGoin your menu barand selectHome.
From there, its time to investigate those iCloud photos.
Launch your Photos app, and click onPhotos > Preferences.
Click oniCloud, and make sureDownload Originals to this Macis selected.
Instead of just launchingPhotos, hold down theOptionkey while clicking on thePhotosicon.
If your images arent in iCloud, lets try something else.
Assuming youve backed up your Photos library, go to the original librarys location in yourPicturesfolder and Control-punch it.
Click onShow Package Contents, and hit the Resources folder.
Delete theRecoveryfolder thatshould be present, terminate the Finder window, and relaunch the Photos app.
If not, Id go back to the create a new photo library idea I suggested earlier.
That, or theyre possibly within Photos Trash (Photosweeper) album,if that exists.
I doubt that one, but its worth a shot.
