Transfer video files from iPhone to MacBook

I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max running iOS 17.5.1 and want to download iPhone videos from Photos app to 2015 MacBook with 111 GB available. Ran a cable between them but it says there isn't enough space. File is only 6GB. I keep getting that message and I’m wondering if it’s the phone that doesn’t have enough space even though it shows I have 426 GB available. I’ve tried downloading directly from Photos app to Dropbox as well. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. It’s probably something simple I’m overlooking. I appreciate any help/advice you can give me. Thanks!

iPhone 11 Pro Max, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 6, 2025 09:28 AM

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4 replies

Sep 6, 2025 09:40 AM in response to oboyyme203

I think I'd check the ports and the cable first. USB ports on a 10 year old Mac can be dirty or messed up. The lightning port on the phone can be even dirtier. Cables are notorious for causing problems.


You don't say what macOS you're running. And, Are you using iCloud Photos? How are you doing this transfer? Are you using Finder, or iTunes, or are you using the Image Capture app from your Applications folder?


Have you done this before? You say, " it says there isn't enough space." What is "it?" Finder, or what? And what is the actual message? Are you using Finder or are you using the Image Capture app from your Applications folder?


Have you tried re-booting the Mac? Have you tried a forced restart of the phone? 

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

This is different from a simple Power Off. I had to continue holding the button down past the "slide to power off" message, and then I released the button only after  the Apple Logo appeared indicating a re-start. 


Give us some information so we can help…





Sep 6, 2025 10:27 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Here is more info.


Both ports are clean and the USB-C to Lightning cable is new.


I’m running macOS Big Sur, version 11.7.10.


I’m using Photos app on my phone. I first tried to download a video to Dropbox using my phone’s cellular service (no cable). After quite a while of the phone showing message it was preparing file, it then popped up with a message saying not enough storage space. I should have taken a screenshot of it but forgot.


Still using cellular service, within Dropbox app this time, I tried uploading the file from Photos app on phone and no indication anything was happening. It may have been also trying to prepare the file. I stopped it as I had to get some sleep.


This morning I thought I would try using a cable and just download it to my MacBook.


I’ve downloaded 1+ hour long videos before to Dropbox (using cellular) and haven’t had this issue before. I only have used my cellular service and the Photos app on my phone. I’m not sure why I’m having an issue with this video. I may try another to see if perhaps it’s just this file. The only difference I can think of is that I had upgraded to iOS 17.5.1 and it seemed to compress my storage. After that upgrade, I had a whole lot more available space. Those 1+ hour long videos I had downloaded was before that upgrade. I can’t think of anything else that has changed.


I will reboot my MacBook and do the forced restart on my phone to see if that helps.


Please let me know if you need more info.


Thanks for your help.

Transfer video files from iPhone to MacBook

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