Many Mac users avoid copying two duplicate photos on the disk, they choose to use reference files to import the local folder photos into the Mac Photos application. It will not copy the original photos to the photo library. But when they move the original photo or change the file name of the original photo, Mac Photos will not be able to find the referenced file in the Finder. How to fix it?
In fact, the Photos application will create thumbnails and previews for all imported photos, even they are referenced, only the original photos will stay in their original location. When the Photos application can’t find the referenced file(original photos) in Finder, it means that the original location stored in the photo library does not match the original photo. We need to re-establish the connection to them.
If a warning window pops up in Photos application, stating that some of the original photos are missing, you need to find the original photos in the Finder. When you select the option “Find Original…” button to reconnect the original photo, it allows you to relink the location as you started using, all referenced files in the same folder will he relinked. It happens when the whole referenced library has been moved.
If you can’t find the referenced file in the Finder without any tips, here we use Photo Exifer to solve it, a third-party photo metadata editor application for Local photos and photo library. And it provides some features to batch fix referenced photos which has been renamed or moved to other locations. Download and install Photo Exifer on your Mac, run Photo Exifer, and click Photo Library to scan and read all photos.
After the scan is complete, click the filter option: “Showing: Missing referenced photos in photo library”, it will display photos which can’t find referenced files in Finder.
Select photos you want to change, click Quick Action -> “Fix moved referenced photos in photo library” menu item( if you can’t find referenced files because the location of original photos has been moved). Open the current original photo storage folder to re-establish the connection. When you open Photos application again, it will work.
Or click Quick Action -> “Fix renamed referenced photos in the Photo Library” menu item ( if you can’t find referenced files because the original photos has been renamed). It supports changing the file name of the original photo or changing the file name of the referenced file in the photo library. When you open Photos application again, it will work.
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