Files Transfer

Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac after iOS 17 Update - Here's the Fix

by Jenefey Aaron   Updated on 2023-12-21 / Update for  iOS File Transfer

“I can’t import photos from my iPhone to my Mac on Catalina. They just won’t appear on the preview. Why can't import Photos from iPhone to Mac. Anyone else having this issue?”

iPhone camera allows us to capture the memorable moments and save the tracks of our life. Sometimes we transfer pictures from iPhone to Mac to make backups and iPhoto/Photos app can be the best choice. Many people have upgraded their iPhone to iOS 17 to get away from the crank calls or to gain more fluent experience of watching videos. However, some users may encounter several annoying problems after iOS update, cannot import photos from iPhone to Mac is the one I came across on Apple Support Community.

importing error

Part 1: How to Fix Cannot Import Photos from iPhone to Mac

Part 2: How to Import Photos from iPhone to Mac

Part 1: How to Fix Cannot Import Photos from iPhone to Mac

If you cannot import photos from iPhone to Mac after iOS 17 update, below are some possible fixes for you:

  • Disconnect your iPhone and plug it back to try again.
  • Reset Location & Privacy on iPhone Setting
  • On your iPhone, go to “Setting” application > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. After setting, re-connect your iPhone to your macbook and tap “Trust on iPhone” when it prompts.

    reset location privacy
  • Import A Few Photos at One Time
  • Sometimes, if you are importing lots of photos from iPhone to Mac at one time, it will easily cause the photos app get stuck, so you can try to import a small fraction of photos when you can’t import photos from iPhone to Mac.

  • Turn off iCloud Photo Library
  • On iPhone setting, go to Apple ID > iCloud > Photos, turn off the “iCloud Photos Library”.

    reset location privacy
  • Restart iPhone and Mac
  • Reinstall macOS Catalina

Part 2: How to Import Photos from iPhone to Mac

Solution 1: Get Photos from iPhone to Mac with Preview

Preview allows you to view anything on the Mac and pictures are included. Thus this is an easy way for importing iPhone photos to Mac.

  • Connect your iPhone to Mac via a USB cable and then launch “Preview”.
  • Click File on the left of your screen and choose Import from your iPhone.
  • Select the photos you need to transfer and then click Import or Import All.
use preview to import photos to mac

Solution 2: Transfer iPhone Photos to Mac Wirelessly

If you want to upload several pictures to your Mac and the iPhoto won’t work, Email will be the easiest way.

Open the Photos app on your iPhone and go to album, tap an album to choose the target one. Select the picture you want and tap on Share, Email. Type your Email address and hit Send. You can download the photos from your email on Mac with ease.

e-mail pictures
Note: The methods mentioned are both limited as they are not allow you to import all the pictures from iPhone to computer.

Solution 3: Get Photos from iPhone to Mac with Tenorshare iCareFone

To import photos from iPhone to mac successfully, we highly recommend you Tenorshare iCareFone Mac, best alternative to iPhoto to upload all your iPhone pictures, music, call history as well as other data to computer without using iTunes.

Tenorshare iCareFone now fully supports iOS 17 and iPhone 15/14/13/12/11 and earlier models.

Step 1: Run the software after free downloading and installation, connect iPhone to computer and then choose “File Manager” on the main interface.

launch the software

Step 2: Choose the “Photos” icon to preview all of the photos in your iPhone.

choose the file manager

Step 3: Select the one you need and click “Export” button to save the photos in your computer.

import iphone photos to computer
Note: After moving photos from iPhone/iPad to Mac for backup, you can delete these photos as well as other unnecessary files from your iPhone with Tenorshare iCareFone easily.

Now you have imported all your photos to computer successfully. If you still have any questions or you got any better ideas, don’t forget to leave us a message!

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