Error exporting unmodified original photos from iPhone starting June 2023

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Error exporting unmodified original photos from iPhone starting June 2023

I'm encountering a weird issue with exporting photos from my iphone to a hard drive. When I try to "export unmodified original" for *certain* pictures starting from June of this year, it fails, and gives the error message "The file [name of file] couldn't be opened because you don't have permission to view it." But when I try to export it through the option "save to files", it saves fine. What is the problem here? What is the different between the two options for saving pictures to a hard drive? Was there something that Apple did after June 1st of this year that forbade you from exporting a photo?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Exporting Photos

Posted on Sep 9, 2025 09:08 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 9, 2025 09:21 AM in response to nfocaa_

You are not using iCloud Photos, is that right? So you're not using Optimize Storage?

The Original is a file on the iPhone. The edited version doesn't exist as a file-- it's created when you ask for an export. So there are fewer "permissions" involved.

Have you tried a forced restart?

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.

Let us know…

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