How can I import photos from my iPhone to my iMac?

When my iPhone connects to my wireless network, my iMac shows it in a Finder window, and in Apple Music. It used to also appear in Mac Photos, which let me import my photographs. (I have decided not to use iCloud.) When it would appear, I could choose which photos to import. But it no longer shows up in Photos, and I have no idea why. I want to import my photos. This used to work. I think I changed something in the settings somewhere, but I can't find it.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I can't import my photos on my Mac. My iPhone doesn't appear in the Photos Sidebar.

iMac 27″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 26, 2025 11:23 PM

29 replies

Aug 22, 2025 09:50 PM in response to Old Toad

…if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode.

Thank you for that suggestion. I already do that. I keep my keyboard permanently plugged into my iMac.

Sep 7, 2025 06:45 PM in response to Richard.Taylor

> Re-start in Safe Mode.

I restarted in safe mode. It still didn't show the iPhone in Photos, even though I could see the iPhone in a finder window. So it didn't behave any differently.

I also tried with a new account in Safe Mode. There, I never even saw my iPhone in the finder window or in Photos.

brbo

Level 8

38,155 points

Sep 7, 2025 07:24 PM in response to Miguel_Muñoz

Re: iPhone doesn't show up in Photos.

Wondering if some small detail is being overlooked:

Apple Support's article" Import from a camera or phone in Photos on Mac - Apple Support

Eg: provides this advice:

"Tip: If you want Photos to open whenever you connect this device, select the Open Photos tick box".

Sep 14, 2025 05:19 PM in response to brbo

"Tip: If you want Photos to open whenever you connect this device, select the Open Photos tick box".

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately that check box only appears when I select my iPhone in the sidebar. But my phone doesn't even appear in the sidebar. That's the problem I'm trying to solve here.

brbo

Level 8

38,155 points

Sep 14, 2025 07:48 PM in response to Miguel_Muñoz

Thank you for your reply and info.

Re: phone doesn't even appear in the (Photos app) sidebar:

You can check whether Mac can access the photos on iPhone:

Eg: On iPhone: Open Photos > Albums : ensure “All Albums” is turned on.

(If necessary: Try turning Firewall off on Mac while you import photos from iPhone … then remember to turn Firewall back on.)

Sep 15, 2025 02:55 AM in response to Miguel_Muñoz

Do you by chance use some 3rd party virus app that in the link below seemed to cause this kind of issue?

[I feel like repeating myself but here it goes again]: Do not use any 3rd party virus apps or "cleaners" because they often produce obscure errors and corruption. macOS built-in security is all you need.

Image Capture not seeing all photos on iP… - Apple Community

Sep 16, 2025 09:08 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Matti Haveri wrote: … Do you by chance use some 3rd party virus app that in the link below seemed to cause this kind of issue?

Good suggestion! Someone else here was getting crazy stuff. He had deleted "Bitdefender," but apparently some of its little pieces were still playing around in his system. He discovered them using Activity Monitor, and when he got rid of them, it all cleared up.

Sometimes these things don't leave you alone even after kill them. Sounds like some movies I've seen…

Jul 27, 2025 12:45 PM in response to Miguel_Muñoz

"It would be more useful if you told us exactly what did happen when, for instance, you used the app Image Capture"

Aug 16, 2025 03:15 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

I don't see any way to do that. Image Capture doesn't see my iPhone, just like iPhoto doesn't see it. It says Devices: 0, Shared: 0

Aug 16, 2025 04:38 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

I guess I can change the question to this: When my iPhone is connected to the same network as my iMac, it appears in the Finder, but why doesn't it appear in Photos or Image Capture?

Aug 17, 2025 03:14 PM in response to Old Toad

"Connect your iPhone to your Mac with its charging cable."

I can't connect using my charging cable. My lightning port is worn out. But this used to work fine without it.

Old Toad

Level 10

214,368 points

Aug 21, 2025 09:36 AM in response to Miguel_Muñoz

Can't you go into the System ➙ Startup Disk and select your external drive as the startup drive. I used to do that when I was running beta systems on and external SSD.

Old Toad

Level 10

214,368 points

Sep 8, 2025 04:56 PM in response to Miguel_Muñoz

If you already haven't tried it try connecting your iPhone to the Mac via its charging cable.

Sep 14, 2025 08:18 PM in response to Miguel_Muñoz

I had came the same problem,update your system and check the usb. Then follow this Apple official guide--https://support.apple.com/120267

How can I import photos from my iPhone to my iMac?