I sat down, coffee in hand, ready to sort through a mountain of photos. I clicked open Finder, expecting to see my shots. Instead, I got a wall of black thumbnails. My Canon CR3 and CR2 files? Black. Nikon NEF files? Black. Only my Fuji files showed up. I felt like someone swapped my photo album for a blackout curtain.
After the macOS 15.4 update, many photographers can’t preview Canon and Nikon RAW files. Finder just shows black boxes. No thumbnails. No previews. This bug makes it almost impossible to organize or even identify photos.
I tried everything. Some things worked, some didn’t. Here’s what I found about solutions that actually work.
Table of Contents
Solution 1: Resize the Finder Window
I dragged the Finder window bigger, then smaller. I zoomed in and out. Sometimes, the thumbnails popped back. Sometimes, nothing happened. Not elegant, but worth a shot.
Steps:
- Open Finder.
- Go to the folder with your RAW files.
- Drag the window to resize it.
- Try zooming in and out (View > as Icons, then adjust icon size).
Result: Sometimes, thumbnails reappear. Sometimes, they don’t. It’s a quick test. If it works, great. If not, keep reading.
Solution 2: Use a Third-Party App
I didn’t have time to wait for Apple to fix this. I searched for apps that could preview RAW files. I found Camera Raw X. It cost $7.99. I grumbled. I paid and it worked.
There are other apps, too. Some free, some paid. Here are a few options:
- Camera Raw X (Mac App Store) – Paid, works well.
- XnView MP (Official Site) – Free, supports many RAW formats.
- RawTherapee (Official Site) – Free, open-source, powerful editor.
- FastRawViewer (Official Site) – Paid, made for photographers.
How to use:
- Download and install the app.
- Open your folder of RAW files in the app.
- Browse and preview your photos.
Result: You can see your photos. No more black boxes. It’s not Finder, but it works.
Solution 3: Convert RAW Files to DNG
I tried converting my files to DNG (Digital Negative). Adobe’s free DNG Converter (Download) can batch convert CR3, CR2, and NEF files. DNG files often show thumbnails in Finder, even when the original RAW files don’t.
Steps:
- Download and install Adobe DNG Converter.
- Drag your RAW files into the converter.
- Convert to DNG.
- Check Finder for thumbnails.
Result: DNG files usually show up fine. Downside: You get extra files, and it takes time.
Solution 4: Use Quick Look Plugins
I found a plugin called RawRightNow (GitHub). It adds support for more RAW files in Quick Look. It’s free, but you need to install it manually.
How to install:
- Download the plugin from GitHub.
- Follow the instructions to install.
- Restart Finder (or your Mac).
- Try Quick Look (spacebar) on your RAW files.
Result: Sometimes, this brings back previews. Sometimes, it doesn’t. Worth a try if you’re comfortable with plugins.
Solution 5: Wait for an Official Fix
Apple knows about this. They haven’t said when they’ll fix it. If you can wait, keep your system updated. Check for macOS updates often.
How to check:
- Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Install any new updates.
Result: Eventually, Apple should fix this. But who knows when?
Apple updates macOS. Sometimes, they break things. RAW file support depends on system libraries. If Apple changes something, older formats can break. Fuji files work because their format didn’t change. Canon and Nikon? Not so lucky.
I paid for Camera Raw X. It worked. I was annoyed, but I could see my photos. I also tried XnView MP. It’s free and works for most files. I keep both installed now, just in case. I know how it feels to hit a wall with your workflow. I’ve been there. I hope these fixes help you get back to your photos. If you find something else that works, share it. We’re all in this together. Good luck, and may your thumbnails come back soon.