I get a message "The File can't be found" when I plug in my iPhone via USB

When I plug my iphone into a late-2014 iMac, updated to 11.0.1, I get endless windows popping up saying "The file can't be found." The computer is unable to mount the iPhone (iPhone X, software up to date). The windows continue until I unplug the phone. This is a pain since I usually upload photos from phone to computer and now can't. I'm skeptical of the claim at the top of this page about "the most advanced desktop operating system in the world..."

Yes, same for me. Also happens after iMac wakes from sleep. You will notice a question mark icon at the top right corner, if you click on that you get a blank window? Be nice to know which file is missing? Over to you - Apple.....

Perhaps you have to repeat the 'change of action' selection for the iPad?

i.e. Start with: Plug in iPad, and dismiss the popups.

Then open Image Capture, maybe add a step here: in the left panel, make sure the iPad is selected.

Then perhaps the (...) drop-down says "Connecting this iPad opens..."

and then selecting something will 'fix' your iPad plug-in, too?

Just guessing ; I don't have an iPad here.

Thank you so much for your advice!

I have even reinstalled the whole system on my iPhone X and got the same message by Finder. It was awful.

I really wish I could read your answer earlier...

I have just followed your proposed solution and that's fine now.

Thanks again. You have just saved my nervous system )))

where exactly are you talking about when you say:

Open up the Image Capture application.

In the … (circle w/ dots) to left of trash can icon.

Click on the dots, and, in the drop-down for ‘Connecting this iPhone opens:’

 select  ‘Other’.

I don't know of any Image Capture application on my imac.

Thanks,

Glenn

This seems to have worked for me as well. Thank you. Seems like Apple should have known this was going to happen and set it up properly. Thank you again.

Never used, or even heard of, the Image Capture application.

This does not work for me. The Image Capture application has no options like you describe. Perhaps because I turned off Spotlight since it was going totally crazy. There are no menu options for Image Capture, either. Here is what IC looks like on my iMac with BigSur 11.0.1:

Unfortunately this isn't a good fix for me. When I plug in my phone it opens MULTIPLE "Can't find" images. I counted 42 and finally stopped counting! They cannot be closed by clicking on OK, they stay on top of everything and I have to shut off my computer using the power button in order to get rid of them.

I am not certain what you mean by the circle with the dots to the left of the trash can as there is nothing like it there or anywhere, unless you are referring to Launchpad.

I am also having problems with Messages. I cannot seem to send to Android phones. I get "Not Delivered" notices on them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, NDDonna

I am on a MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015) and just updated to Big Sur 11.0.1.

So I printed off D Cornelius procedure and followed it to a tee.

When I replugged the phone I no longer get the pop ups but I do get the thumbnails and an indicator that IC is opening. If I go to Other it opens up finder. What am I missing here?

sorry, don't understand. I don't know if there is any connection with my iPhone 7 plus but after installing Big Sur 11.1 I've a finder error with "the file can't be found".

with "OK" I fix, keep going on normally.

I didn't understand exactly how fix the problem. could you help me, please.

Merry Christmas

I'm having the same problem. I updated my iOS to 11.1 last night and sync'd my phone... but now all of my photos are duplicated. !? Haven't checked contacts yet... hope they're ok. How annoying. :\ Hope 11.2 can sort these issues out.

When the iPhone is connected to your Mac, you can see it in Finder, section "Locations". If you click on the phone there, you will see the same functions as you did before in iTunes. The backup function can also be found there.

Hello, I understand the process but there is one big problem for me. "Open up the Image Capture application.

In the … (circle w/ dots) to left of trash can icon. Click on the dots, and, in the drop-down for ‘Connecting this iPhone opens:’  select  ‘Other’."

I do not have a Circle w/dots anywhere. I cannot click on the dots because they are not there. I have tried all options and nothing gives me a drop-down.

Plugging in my iPhoneXS still results in multiple "Can't find file" images. My phone tells me it has not been backed up in weeks even though I have tried!

Suggestions?

Thank You, Donna

Thank you! I just searched this to fix my husband's laptop. He's not super computer literate and just informed me "these little windows keep popping up... for weeks now". So after a search I found this thread and it worked! And now he can see his phone show up in his iTunes! And no annoying "missing file windows".