Why won't my photos transfer from iPhone to iMac?

Question

Why won't my photos transfer from iPhone to iMac?

To try to solve a storage problem, I used the method on the Apple website by connecting the two via a usb cable. My iMac has OS 15.5, and the iPhone is 2015 with latest update. I wanted all the photos to go to the iMac because I have one TB of free space on it whereas the iPhone is at a space limit. It seemed rather simple to do, but only a very few photos actually made the trip. I have gone over it and over it to figure out what I might have done wrong but cannot see anything that may have prevented it from working. Any ideas about why this happened? At this point I cannot even get any email because of the storage limit, so it's more or less an emergency.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on May 24, 2025 9:53 AM

Reply

Answer 1

May 24, 2025 11:16 AM in response to Hazel Greenberg

Are you trying to import your pics with the Photos app?

It's a fairly simple process.

Connect the iPhone to the Mac using its sync/charge cable.
Unlock and open the iPhone.
Launch the Photos application.
Select the iPhone in the Photos sidebar.
Select any options like "Delete after importing" to clear the space on the iPhone.
Import the Photos.

Import from a camera or phone in Photos on Mac - Apple Support

Are you seeing any error messages when you try this?

Reply

Answer 2

May 24, 2025 2:52 PM in response to Hazel Greenberg

If you are using iCloud Photos on the iPhone, and you have plenty of iCloud storage space, and you do not have "Optimize iPhone Storage" turned on, you could consider turning it on.

This would give your phone permission to store lower-quality, space-saving copies of your photos and videos (to free up some device storage, at the phone's discretion).

Reply

Answer 3

May 24, 2025 12:56 PM in response to Hazel Greenberg

Yes, you can turn off iCloud for photos only. I don't know how that affects videos.

You can manage which apps and features are used with iCloud: Set up iCloud features on Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 4

May 24, 2025 12:31 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

No error messages. I just saw this question of yours at the bottom of the page. But then again I have not tried your method yet because I don't think I'm in the right place since your options don't match mine.

Reply

Answer 5

May 24, 2025 12:39 PM in response to Hazel Greenberg

While I'm thinking about it, I thought to ask another question. As I said, I have plenty of storage place on my Mac. I also have 4 backup drives, 2 Time Machine and 2 SuperDuper drives. Wouldn't it be a good idea to just turn off iCloud. Or can I turn off iCloud for photos and videos only?

Reply

Why won't my photos transfer from iPhone to iMac?

Similar questions