unable to import images using the add option

[GarethSen]

Hi,

I am unable to import my images from my external HDD through the "add" option. I can only import through the "copy" option as it forces me to copy the files to my mac's drive. 

This is unusual as I have always been able to import images through adding them and working directly from my Ext HDD. My LR catalog is also located in the same HDD. 

This happens when I updated my LR to v 12.2.1. I tried to reinstall back v 12.1 but it doesnt solve the problem. I am running on Mac OS ventura 13.2.1. Am I missing something? 

[GoldingD]

 I am running on Mac OS ventura 13.2.1.

for how long have you had Ventura?

and did the MACOS get updated recently as well?

And is the Ext HD new, and a SSD?

[GarethSen]

I have been using the SSD over a year

[johnrellis]

[This post contains formatting and embedded images that don't appear in email. View the post in your Web browser.]

First, ensure LR is granted Full Disk Access (not Files And Folders) permission:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-give-full-disk-access...

If that doesn't help, it may be that Mac OS 13 is reporting the incorrect device type to LR. To see what Mac OS is reporting:

a. Start the Disk Utility app.

b. In the left column, find one of the problem external drives and note the exact volume name, e.g.

c. Start the Terminal app.

d. Type this command:

diskutil info "Miscellaneous2"

replacing "Miscellaneous2" with the exact name of the volume from step b, with the exact case, including any spaces in the name and the double quotes.

e. Copy and paste the entire output here.

(The Disk Utility's Get Info command doesn't provide all the required information, so don't bother doing that.)

[SeanMcCormack]

Have you allowed Full Disk Access? 

https://www.solve.uk.com/post/how-to-grant-full-disk-access-in-macos-ventura

[GarethSen]

I have tried this, but it doesnt seem to work

[GarethSen]

Ah I forgot to restart the mac after applying the settings. I can import images via adding now! Thank you! 

[GarethSen]

That's odd because I usually dont have to make this extra step in the previous versions. 

[thedigitaldog]

Hi,

I am unable to import my images from my external HDD through the "add" option. I can only import through the "copy" option as it forces me to copy the files to my mac's drive. 

By @GarethSen

If you place the images on the desktop does it now work? Copy is required for import from most PC cards and maybe LR 'thinks' this is such a storage device. Can you tell us more about this HHD? Does running Disk First Aid (Disk Utility) help? 

[GarethSen · Accepted solution]

I realised I ecounter the same problem when I tried to import images using a seperate mac with the same catalog (my LR catalog is stored in my ext HDD). It seems that giving full disk access does not solve the problem. I began to backtrack my recent activities and I realised that I copied a folder named "DCIM" straight from my camera's SD card to my ext HDD a few days ago. 

Apparently if you have a folder that has names that coincide with DCIM (or any name similar to how a camera would label a folder) , lightroom mistakes this as a removable drive. In this case, the presence of the folder named "DCIM" in my ext drive gives the impression that my drive is actually an SD card; thus unable to import my photos via the "add" option. 

I have thus deleted that folder, ejected the hard drive and reboot lightroom. problem solved. 

[SeanMcCormack]

Genius find @GarethSen 

Out of curiosity, was the DCIM folder in the root folder of the drive? 

[GarethSen]

Yes it was.. perhaps that's another root cause. 

[SeanMcCormack]

It may be that if it was in a subfolder it would be okay. It's worth investigating at some point. Thanks! 

[johnrellis]

Great discovery.

It appears if any folder on the file's path is named DCIM, then neither Add nor Move are available options. For example, I tried importing a file with path /first/second/DCIM/third/fourth/test.jpg, and Add and Move were greyed out.

That's lazy programming by the original developer. LR should be using the Mac and Windows calls that indicate whether a volume is removable (e.g. a USB stick) or fixed (an external drive).

[Bob Somrak]

@johnrellis 

If that is the case how come you can apparently ADD and MOVE when importing from CF Express cards with a DCIM folder.  I do not have CF Express cards but see many issues on the forum where people mistakenly ADD from a CF Express card.  I have suggested in the past that Adobe check if a drive has a DCIM folder in the root to prevent ADD/MOVE

[johnrellis]

Perhaps the behavior has changed recently. I tested both an external hard drive and a USB stick, and both allow Move/Add only if there was no DCIM folder in the path. (Mac OS 13.2.1, LR 12.2.1)

With respect to CF Express cards, the OS can distinguish them by their type -- a DCIM hack isn't required.

[Bob Somrak]

@johnrellis 

This is the thread I was referring to for camera cards acting as drives.  Adobe may have used the DCIM folder check to fix the issue.  If so, they should have checked only to root folder.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/cf-express-card-treated-like-hard-disk/...