New iPhone 17 Pro Max photos upload to MacBook as corrupt files

I upgraded my phone to the 17pro max and transferred over my last phone settings all new photos uploaded to my MacBook photos app are corrupt files.  They cannot be moved to another file folder showing “unknown error 0”.  I tried to email them to myself and they also show up as corrupt files and I cannot download them. I did find if I try to open the photo in the photo app the image is blank, after selecting the Auto enhance tool the photo issue is corrected. 


Anyone with the same issue and knows how to fix it so I don't have to do that to every single photo? 


Im using ISO 26.0.1 on my phone and 15.1 on my MacBook Pro.  I also have my photo format setting on Most Compatible. 


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Iphone photos upload to Macbook as corrupt files

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 15, 2025 10:21 AM

Reply
4 replies

Oct 23, 2025 12:17 PM in response to mragucci

First, try using the app Image Capture that's in your Applications folder, and see if that works.


To narrow things down, try these steps:

  • Restart the computer (of course)
  • Re-start in Safe Mode. This bypasses certain potentially disruptive processes, and it often helps. Safe Mode is different for different computers, so see this: 

           Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support 

  • Make a new user and see if the same problem recurs with it.  This is a bit harder, because a new user can't access a different user's stuff. But you can see if the files import directly with Image Capture.


The idea is to find out if the problem is with the Library, with your account, or with caches and login items, and stuff like that. One of these steps may fix the problem, but their failure to work also helps figure out what's happening.


Let us know what happens…

Oct 17, 2025 10:08 PM in response to mragucci

Re: Iphone photos upload to Macbook as corrupt files


Note: If you store full-resolution photo files in iCloud and low-resolution photo files on the iPhone:

You may want to sync the full-resolution photos to your Mac, by turning on the sync Photos setting.


Else: Wondering whether trying another method to transfer the photos to Mac may be more successful:

Eg: Use a cable from iPhone to Mac and

either import images into the Mac's Photos App.

or

use the Image Capture app to transfer the photos (eg: to the desktop, a folder, or the Photos app).


For details, see: Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC - Apple Support

or

Step by step guide to use Image Capture: Image Capture User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

Oct 23, 2025 6:18 PM in response to mragucci

Thank you kindly for your reply, and for sharing your experience with us. Thank you too, to Richard.Taylor for posting the excellent safe mode suggestion.

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Re: "I did find if I try to open the photo in the photo app the image is blank, after selecting the Auto enhance tool the photo issue is corrected. 


Anyone with the same issue and knows how to fix it so I don't have to do that to every single photo?" 


As we are all Apple users, like yourself, we do not get to see the feedback sent to Apple. Unless someone with the same situation replies here, we have no way of knowing for sure whether others have this issue too.


You may want to reach out to Apple's Photos Support team for answers.

There is a "Get Support - start now" link at the very bottom, of their website (link below):

Photos Support Website: Photos - Official Apple Support

Oct 23, 2025 11:00 AM in response to brbo

thanks for the reply.  To add more information, I don't use iCloud for photos. I tried syncing to my macbook while using a wired connection (apple wire that comes with the phone) to the photos app. I also tried airdrop with the same result of the photos files all being corrupt. 


Prior to upgrading my phone to the 17 this was not an issue for both methods. 

New iPhone 17 Pro Max photos upload to MacBook as corrupt files

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