Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac? Here are the Real Fixes!

For many photo enthusiasts, iPhone can be used as a digital camera for taking photos with high quality. But as more and more pictures are stored on iPhone, your handset may run slower and slower. Therefore, to free up memory and improve the efficiency of iPhone, you need to import photos from iPhone to Mac. But when carrying out this task, many people get stuck and can't import photos from iPhone to Mac smoothly.

If you encounter the same problem, here are the most efficient and practical solutions you can refer to.

Part 1: Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac? Try These Methods
Part 2: Fixes to Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac

Part 1: Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac? Try These Methods

1.1 Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac? - Try Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac

Why won't my photos import from iPhone to Mac? Many people may question this seemingly strange issue. Since Mac OS and iOS like are closed source systems which are are protected OS design. So you can't transfer photos directly from iPhone to MacBook. Now, how do I transfer photos from iPhone to Mac? Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac can make you feel relieved.

Here are the main features of Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac:

- Perform data management on almost all iDevices and all Mac versions, such as iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/XS/XR/X/8/8 Plus/SE, MacBook MB402CH/A, MB403CH/A, MB404CH/A, and so on.

- Send files from iDevices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) to Mac, covering photos, music, videos, contacts, messages, notes, calendars, bookmarks, videos, books, apps, etc.

- Export contacts as CSV, VCF and XML formats, and saved SMS as CSV, HTML, TXT and DB files.

- Import contacts, calendars, books, bookmarks and others from your Mac to your iDevices without hassle.

- Back up iPhone data to Mac or iTunes and restore backup files to iDevices as required.

- Import iTunes Backup from Mac to iPhone and delete unwanted iTunes backups for iDevice on Mac.

Download Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac:

Try Coolmuster iOS Assistant if you can't import photos from iPhone to Mac, here's how:

1. Install and start Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac on your MacBook. Then Plug iPhone into Mac with a USB cord, press Trust > Continue on iPhone screen as prompted for the detection by the program. You'll see the interface as below after the connection.

2. Select Photos from the left sidebar of the window, tick your wanted pictures and press Export below "My Device" to transfer iPhone photos to Mac. Next, you can find or create a folder to save them on Mac.

Note: you can also move pictures from Mac to iPhone if you want to experience the reverse transfer between the two devices.

1.2 Photos Won't Import from iPhone to Mac? An Easy Way - Image Capture

Image Capture is an easy way to transfer photos from iPhone to Mac. Let's see how to use it:

1. Link your iPhone to Mac with a USB cable, and start Image Capture on your MacBook.

2. Choose iPhone icon from the device list on the top left corner. Then set the output location to import to and choose your desired photos.

3. Tap on Import or Import All to import photos from iPhone to Mac.

See also: When the passscode on your iPhone expired, you can follow this guide to work it out.

1.3. iPhone Won't Upload Photos to Mac? Have a Go at Airdrop

To use AirDrop, you need to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for both iPhone and Mac.

The specific manual is as follow:

1. Switch AirDrop on both your iPhone (Settings > General > AirDrop > Everyone) and Mac (Finder > Go > AirDrop and select Everyone)

2. Match your two devices to get a virtual connection.

3. Navigate to Photos app on iPhone to choose photos you want to transfer. Then hit Sharing on iPhone to choose Mac icon, and tap Accept on Mac.

1.4 iPhone Won't Upload Photos to Mac? Photos App Works

With Photos app, you can not only organize and find the special moments and memories you have captured, but also share them directly through social networks or for printing.

how to import photos from iPhone to Mac with Photos app:

1. Connect your iPhone to Mac via a USB cord and open Photos app. (Unlock your iPhone to trust the device if needed.)

2. On the Photos app interface, click your iPhone name and tap File > Import to choose your desired pictures. Then tap Import Selected or Import xx Photos to import photos from iPhone to Mac.

Further Reading:

iPhone Photos Not Showing Up on PC? Quick Solutions Here!

How to Recover Photos from iCloud on Android

Part 2: Fixes to Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac

Below I conclude the most effective solutions to fix "can't import photos from iPhone" issue, you can try them out by yourself.

Solution 1: Unlock iPhone and Trust the Mac

After connecting your iPhone to Mac via a USB cable, make sure your iPhone is unlocked and tap the "Trust" option when the "Trust This Computer" alert appears on your iPhone. Otherwise photos won't import from iPhone to Mac.

Solution 2: Reset Location & Privacy on iPhone

If you connect to a Mac that you have trusted before, you may not receive the Trust alert on your iPhone, here's a trick to make the Trust alert show up again - Change the privacy settings on your iPhone. According to many users, this turns out to be a very effective method for fixing photos not importing from iPhone to Mac problem. But it is to be noted that, by doing this, all your location and privacy settings will be reset to iOS defaults.

Disconnect your iPhone and follow the steps below:

Step 1:On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to Mac via a USB cable.

Step 3: On your iPhone, tap Trust when "Trust This Computer" prompted.

Solution 3: Update Devices and Software

To ensure that Photos can be transferred from iPhone to Mac smoothly, it is suggested that your devices are running the latest version. You can follow the instructions below to check for updates on your devices and software. If there are updates available, update them to the latest version.

Mac: Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Software update.

iTunes: Open iTunes > choose Help at the top of the iTunes window > Check for Updates.

iPhone: Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.

Solution 4: Turn off iCloud Photo Library

If iPhoto won't import photos from iPhone, you should check whether your iCloud Library is enabled. With the iCloud Library on, you are not able to transfer photos to Mac via USB connection as the photos are stored in iCloud.

Here's how to turn iCloud Photo Library off:

On your iPhone, open Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Photos > disable iCloud Photos Library.

Or you can use iCloud to download photos to your Mac if you don't want to turn it off. Here's how: On your Mac, tap Apple icon > System Preferences > iCloud > tap Option beside Photos > turn on iCloud Photo Library > Done to import photos from iPhone to Mac.

Solution 5: Restart Your Devices

You can disconnect your iPhone and Mac, and then restart both your iPhone and Mac. After this, try to reconnect your devices and start to import photos from iPhone to see if it works.

Solution 6: Reset Network Settings

If you still can't import photos from iPhone to Mac after trying the steps above, you can try to reset the network settings on your iPhone. Note that after this setting, you need to set up your Wi-Fi networks and enter passwords again.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Select General > Reset > Tap Reset Network Setting.

Step 3: Connect your iPhone to Mac and try to import photos again.

Conclusion

Have you solved the problem of can't import photos from iPhone to Mac? I believe that you will master some skills from what you've read. If you stuck with some issues like "not all photos importing from iPhone to mac", "iPhoto won't import photos from iPhone", I think Coolmuster iOS Assistant for Mac can save you from all these troubles. It can complete file transfer between the iPhone and the Mac in an easy and quick way, and it also lets you one-click back up iPhone to Mac and manage iTunes backup.

If you like it, why not download it and take a try?

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