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image capture not working right in Big Sur

I use image capture to move photos from my iPhone 12P to my Mac. It does not work correctly.


The box to delete after transfer does nothing even though it is checked. The "import to" box does not retain the folder location as it always did in the past and has to be re-entered each time I use the app.


Is there some workaround or other app that I can change to? I didn't bother to look for a solution at first, thinking that Apple surely will know of this bug and fix it...alas... no love here from Image Cap.


thanks for any suggestions


tom

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Apr 9, 2021 8:33 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 9, 2021 10:30 PM

Hey there! Weird issue.


Is this the only program acting like this? (Not saving changes, or doing as instructed)?


That, to me sounds like a permissions issue, I guess if Image Capture is the only app doing this, a good test would be to set up a new admin user, just to see if you have the same results, can you try that?


Likewise, connecting a different iOS device, I think is another good test, just to see if Inage Capture does the same. I have seen issues on iOS affect the Mac OS, yet other iOS devices don’t.


I’d also say safe mode is a good test:


Start up your Mac in safe mode:

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac


This may help to rule out file system issues and/or third party software conflicts. Let me know how it goes, happy to help if I’m able to!


Similar questions

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 9, 2021 10:30 PM in response to SausalitoDog

Hey there! Weird issue.


Is this the only program acting like this? (Not saving changes, or doing as instructed)?


That, to me sounds like a permissions issue, I guess if Image Capture is the only app doing this, a good test would be to set up a new admin user, just to see if you have the same results, can you try that?


Likewise, connecting a different iOS device, I think is another good test, just to see if Inage Capture does the same. I have seen issues on iOS affect the Mac OS, yet other iOS devices don’t.


I’d also say safe mode is a good test:


Start up your Mac in safe mode:

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac


This may help to rule out file system issues and/or third party software conflicts. Let me know how it goes, happy to help if I’m able to!


Apr 14, 2021 9:18 PM in response to SausalitoDog

Hey again! No worries, I get it.


So you’re saying similar behavior happens on different Mac’s with different iOS devices? And with different OS’?


Can you change the default app that launches when iOS devices are connected to see if a difference?:


If Image Capture doesn’t open when you connect a device to your Mac:


https://support.apple.com/guide/image-capture/image-capture-open-connect-a-device-imgcp1029/mac


You can change it to Photos or something else, just wondering if it’s an app setting, or particular app that’s being affected, thanks!

Apr 19, 2021 8:26 PM in response to SausalitoDog

Hey again! No problem for me at all.

I was just thinking of a common denominator, since the same behavior happens on multiple Mac’s even multiple iOS devices. And no clear pattern in relation to the OS/iOS versions.


So was wondering if it’s a networking issue or setting. Or even an iPhone Setting or app, that you both have configured, or sync with.


This may not help, but with your phone, could you try first, resetting the Privacy and Location Settings on your phone, (After disconnecting it from your Mac):

https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/return-iphone-settings-to-their-defaults-iphea1c2fe48/ios


Then re-connect it again, open Finder and select “Trust” again, then test with Image Capture again?


Resetting All Settings maybe another valid step.


However if you think it’s solely related to the Mac, (I’ve seen both scenarios several times), I would clear out your Mac’s Cache:


Open Finder.

While holding Option on the keyboard, click Go > Library.

Open Caches.

Delete the contents.

Restart.

Test.


In fact, I may even try that one before resetting the settings on iOS.


I’d give those a shot if you haven’t given up yet, they only take a few minutes, likewise, we’re you able to test in a new user?


Hope there’s a quick fix somewhere here, best of luck, you can always contact Apple Care by phone though also, (One of the few companies that offer actual human phone support), they can also guide you to the right place if need be. Let me know how it goes, I’ve been there, good luck!

Apr 14, 2021 12:53 PM in response to DiZoE

Thanks DiZoE -- sorry to be so slow replying...not that I am not happy to hear from you but i was away and wanted to be home to try on other macs at home as well...here is what i 've done and discovered...


This is the only app with the problem. And I have it with my MBP as does my wife with hers and I pulled out an old MBP and tried it on my iMac (which it too old for Big Sur). And I tried it with 3 iPhones and 2 iPads. Not all the results are the same but none seem to be correct.


On my older mac i used an iPhone 5 and the image capture did retain the folder for later use but did not delete the transferred images from camera roll.


On the other macs, it did not retain the folder, though what it does is let you click on Other and go thru the steps to select the folder you want. The choice is no longer "delete images after transfer" but the check box next to " retain originals" which unchecking before transferring does NOT delete them.


So...I then tried to start my MBP in safe mode... fine... but it would not then find the iPhone. I tried this 3 times and no iPhone was found in Finder.


I'm close to saying..."not worth the effort" on this little nit, but it just makes me crazy that something that worked so well for so many years gets screwed up by some dingbat Apple developer for no reason I can see at all. I guess since it works for you, it must be something in my system (and my wife's) but I'm out of thoughts....if you have any, I'll be happy to try them


thanks for your help


tom




Apr 19, 2021 1:06 PM in response to DiZoE



Thanks DiZoE


This is the only app with the problem, and I tried it on Macs with Big Sur and one with Catalina. 


I have the setting on my Mac as does my wife in hers and with the box checked to not launch any app automatically when iPhone is connected. When I try to set auto launch of Photos on either of them, it doesn’t work. Once we remove the iPhone and reconnect, it reverts to not launching any thing — I can’t make it launch any app upon connecting. 


Guess I'm getting to the point, that Apple wins and I have to change my behavior to match their idea of what is "right" ?


Just a bit frustrating but wasting this much of your time is making me feel guilty, too.


cheers,


tom

image capture not working right in Big Sur

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