Photos library on external drive requires reboot?

Software
1

Running Ventura on an M Pro MBP. I’m not sure when this started, but I’ve noticed that if I eject all drives and go mobile with my MBP, Photos can’t find the default library when I return and remount external drives. Finder shows the external drive and it is otherwise accessible, just not for Photos. I can’t say exactly when this behavior started, but it didn’t always do this. As long as the drive is plugged in though, I have to reboot and then the library will be accessible.

Is this normal inexplicable behavior or do I need to do more troubleshooting?

2

The external drive, containing your photo library, should be mounted before you open the Photos app.

3

@Drewski and one way to do that is with the Jettison or Mountain Mac apps.

1 Like
4

Ok, to make it more clear:

  1. MBP Photos default library is on external SSD, and Photos can access library.
  2. Photos is then closed and external SSD is properly ejected.
  3. External SSD is physically detached from MBP for mobile use.
  4. External SSD is later reattached to MBP and mounts properly - it can be read by Finder.
  5. Reopening Photos results in error message - library not found, or some such.
  6. Rebooting MBP then allows proper access of Photos library.
  7. Photos did not always have this issue. I cannot say if it is related to an update or change in settings.

Is there a way to fix, other than rebooting after every time I go mobile?

5

Lucky you, I have a similar setup and cannot eject the external SSD even when Photos is closed (due to photoanalysisd and other services doing their thing in the background).

1 Like
6

same for me. also resulting in error messages lately when opening the library.
I’m setting up the SSD with APFS (encrypted) again and will see if that resolves. The repair has not changes my error. I also read this Move your Photos library to save space on your Mac - Apple Support