Import Files into Photos script failed

App & System Services Automation & Scripting
rchow48
rchow48 OP
Created Apr ’25
Replies 6
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I am trying to setup in Automator a Folder Action, where screenshots on Desktop are automatically imported into my Photos app

Unfortunately, the automation is not working. When I have a screenshot on the Desktop and I open Automator to manually trigger, I receive the error:

  • The action "Import Files into Photos" encountered an error: "Import Files into Photos script failed"
  • Under log, it further says: The action "Import Files into Photos" was not supplied with the required data

Answered by DTS Engineer in 835703022

I tried to reproduce this using macOS Sequoia 15.3.2 (24D81) by creating a folder action set up the same as in your screen capture. To get it working I had to agree to give Automator access to the Desktop folder and then inside of Photos I had to agree to allow Automator to control the app. Maybe access to the Desktop folder isn't set up for your folder action and that's why it isn't seeing any files. Check these items:

  • In System Settings in Privacy & Security > Files & Folders to make sure FolderActionsDispatcher is listed there and the toggle for access to the Desktop is turned on.
  • In System Settings in Privacy & Security > Automation make sure FolderActionsDispatcher is listed there and the toggle for access to Photos is turned on.
Replies  6
Boosts  0
Views  43
Participants  2
Apple Staff, DTS Engineer
DTS Engineer OP
Apple
Apr ’25
Recommended

I tried to reproduce this using macOS Sequoia 15.3.2 (24D81) by creating a folder action set up the same as in your screen capture. To get it working I had to agree to give Automator access to the Desktop folder and then inside of Photos I had to agree to allow Automator to control the app. Maybe access to the Desktop folder isn't set up for your folder action and that's why it isn't seeing any files. Check these items:

  • In System Settings in Privacy & Security > Files & Folders to make sure FolderActionsDispatcher is listed there and the toggle for access to the Desktop is turned on.
  • In System Settings in Privacy & Security > Automation make sure FolderActionsDispatcher is listed there and the toggle for access to Photos is turned on.
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rchow48
rchow48 OP
Apr ’25

Hello,

Many thanks for this! How can I add FolderActionsDispatcher? I cannot seem to find a button to add

My best, Ron

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rchow48
rchow48 OP
Apr ’25

Hello - any recommendations on how I can enable the permissions?

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Apple Staff, DTS Engineer
DTS Engineer OP
Apple
Apr ’25

To create a folder action script, create a new workflow in Automator and select the Folder Action option from the templates. Here's how I set up the Automator script here.

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rchow48
rchow48 OP
Apr ’25

Many thanks! I have made the script as instructed, and did not receive any popup requiring enabling of permissions. I still have this error

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Apple Staff, DTS Engineer
DTS Engineer OP
Apple
May ’25

@rchow48 ~ Let's go through and check this through. Can you verify that both of these are showing up in your System Settings:

  • In System Settings in Privacy & Security > Files & Folders to make sure FolderActionsDispatcher is listed there and the toggle for access to the Desktop is turned on.
  • In System Settings in Privacy & Security > Automation make sure FolderActionsDispatcher is listed there and the toggle for access to Photos is turned on.

The dialog will set these items up for you when you confirm, but if that's not showing up you should be able to go into System Settings and set them manually after saving your Automator workflow.

If that looks good, let's talk about the error. When are you seeing this error? When you add a new file or screenshot to the desktop folder?

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Import Files into Photos script failed
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