I will plug my iPhone XS Max into my MacBook Pro and my photos will not show up, I have to restart my MacBook and iPhone every time I want them to show up, when they do show up my iPhoto’s does not allow me to import new photos to my MacBook and comes up saying “some items can not be added to your photo library brcause they may be an unrecognizable file format or the file may not contain valid data”. Please help how do I fix this
iPhone XS Max, 12
You can change the settings on the iPhone, so the photos will be converted to JPEGs, when you plug the iPhone into your Mac: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices - Apple Support
When you import HEIF or HEVC media from an attached iOS device to Photos, Image Capture, or a PC, the media might be converted to JPEG or H.264.
You can change this import behavior in iOS 11 or later. Go to Settings > Photos. In the TRANSFER TO MAC OR PC section, tap "Automatic" to ensure the media will be converted when importing.
This document describes how to install a system upgrade, if your Mac can be upgraded.
How to update the software on your Mac - Apple Support
Scroll down all the way to "How to get updates for earlier macOS versions".
You need to upgrade at least to macOS 10.13 High Sierra with Photos 3.0 to be able to use HEIF media (photos, videos).
You can change the settings on the iPhone, so the photos will be converted to JPEGs, when you plug the iPhone into your Mac: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices - Apple Support
When you import HEIF or HEVC media from an attached iOS device to Photos, Image Capture, or a PC, the media might be converted to JPEG or H.264.
You can change this import behavior in iOS 11 or later. Go to Settings > Photos. In the TRANSFER TO MAC OR PC section, tap "Automatic" to ensure the media will be converted when importing.
This document describes how to install a system upgrade, if your Mac can be upgraded.
How to update the software on your Mac - Apple Support
Scroll down all the way to "How to get updates for earlier macOS versions".
You need to upgrade at least to macOS 10.13 High Sierra with Photos 3.0 to be able to use HEIF media (photos, videos).
You're shooting the High Efficiency format HEIC with your new iPhone. One must be running High Sierra or later to be able to edit and use the new, high efficiency formats. You can turn it off in the iPhone day setting the Camera format to Most Compatible. Otherwise you'll need to upgrade your system to Mojave which will give you Photos 4.0 to use those formats.
There are some apps that will convert HEIF to JPEG: HEIC Convertrer - free at App Store; WALTR HEIC Converter - free; Joyoshare HEIC Converter
Thank you.
I have turned that off but since the photos were already taken when it was high efficiency they still won’t import So do I upgrade to Mojave please?
If you have too many to convert with one of those free apps then you may have to upgrade to Mojave to be able to use them.
This doesn't work for me. I looked at the setting above and the checkmark is present. My last import was Feb. 17 and the very next day when I plug my phone it I can't import any photos. I haven't been able to import since.
You don't have to shoot in a different format. The 'automatic' setting mentioned above will convert for you on a mac. My problem was on my phone actually, I power cycled it and now its importing again, and converting to jpeg as it goes.
Thank you.
I have turned that off but since the photos were already taken when it was high efficiency they still won’t import So do I upgrade to Mojave please?
Hi how do I upgrade to Mojave please
Solved. Thank you so much
You're welcome 😊
iPhoto won’t import photos
