Adding your first source

Add Apple Photos or a folder to start browsing photographs in Frames.

1. Click Photos Library or Choose Folder… on the first-run screen. You can also drop a folder onto the window.
2. Grant access when macOS requests it. The folder picker accepts several folders at once.
3. Wait for the first photograph to appear. Cataloguing continues while you browse.

Adding a source does not copy, move or rename its files. Frames stores ratings, verdicts and edits in its catalogue. The first-run screen remains until a source contains a photograph. It shows the source name and progress while reading, and reports an empty source if no photographs were found, including after a failed scan. Progress shows a percentage only when the total is known.

The grid appears when a source contains a photograph, even if an active filter hides it. For example, RAW ONLY can leave a JPEG library looking empty.

Photos access. Frames requests permission only when Photos Library is clicked. If access is denied or restricted, change it in System Settings › Privacy & Security › Photos. The screen explains this and keeps the folder option available. Limited access works with the photographs selected in the permission grant.

Only one Photos library can be added. Its option disappears after it is added. Add further folders from ＋ in the SOURCES header.

Refreshing a source. Click ⟳ beside a source to sync it. Hold ⌥ while clicking to rescan from scratch. The source menu has the same commands:

• Photos: Sync Now and Rescan.
• Folders: Scan Now and Rescan File Contents.
• Remove Missing Photographs…, when missing photographs exist.
• Show in Finder, when a directory is available, and Remove Source….

Folder scans skip file contents when size, timestamps and filesystem identity are unchanged. Rescan File Contents reads every file again. The first scan after upgrading builds this cache; renaming a mounted volume preserves it. On exFAT and FAT32, use Rescan File Contents to detect edits that preserve file size and date.

Local drives report filesystem changes automatically. SMB and other network sources compare stored file and directory metadata on launch and mount, then scan changed directories. Use Scan Now after adding files to a share that is already mounted; network shares are not polled. While a folder scan runs, the source row has a pause button. Resume continues the same scan after the current filesystem operation finishes.

Source status. The second line shows current activity or an access error. When idle, it shows the photograph count, last sync and missing or unreadable counts. Before the first manual sync, it also shows outstanding photographs and estimated download size.

Click a source row to open its panel. It lists photograph, album and folder counts; pending previews and their size; missing and unreadable photographs; last sync; automatic-sync permission; date added; and the folder path where applicable.

A disconnected source remains browsable through its proxies. The panel distinguishes an unmounted volume from denied or revoked access. Counts remain visible in either case.

Press ? to see shortcuts. The Getting started window opens once the first photographs appear.

See Getting started.