Syncing between Mac and iPhone stuck at "Reading Photos library"

A few weeks ago I spent 3 hours on the phone one day with one support person, then another 2 hours on the phone the next day with another support person. I sent them screen shots and videos of this issue and they never were able to find a solution that allowed me to sync photos to my iMac. I am very disappointed in Apple Support on this topic which usually is pretty good with other issues. I gave up and decided, instead of syncing photos directly to my computer which I was always able to do previously, to purchase more space on iCloud and move all ~15,000 of my photos there. That generated a different problem of duplication of older photos every time I upload new ones. But, I simply don't have any more time to devote to this, so I'll just ignore the duplicates. I have this feeling that the reason Apple is dragging their feet on the syncing problem is that they want users to buy more space on the Cloud and migrate data there because that generates revenue for them.

Same issue here. It must be something with the library, when I switch to a different user on the MAC (test), there is no problem to sync from MAC to iPhone. Sr advisor suggested to create a second photo library (in my own user space), and export/import from the original library to the second library, and that worked, however it creates 'referenced' pictures, not what I want, as referenced pictures have their own set of issues. I reported this back...let's see what comes back. I don't want to use iCloud.

Same issue here, found a workaround, syncing not from Photos library but from another folder seems to work fine.

I am having the exact same issue. Syncing stuck at 5 of 6 "reading the photos library.

So, I can't backup music, books, apps... to-from iPhone-iMac.

However, transferring photos from the iPhone to the photos library works fine.

I have an iPhone 12 pro and a 2017 iMac with all the latest OS and IOS updates. 11.4 and 14.6

The problem persists even after erasing the ipod photos cache as suggested above, reinstalling the Big Sur, easing iMac cache, and resetting my iPhone.

The problem started after about 3-4 weeks ago after one of the last OS or IOS updates, not sure which one.

I have an open (Case #) with Apple for technical assistance.

So far no solution.

I wonder how many people are having the same problem.

I am having the exact same issue on my iPhone 12 and Mini iPad. Syncing stuck at 5 of 6 "Reading Photos Library." Will not let me skip photos. I have to force quit or just unplug it.

I have an iPhone 12, Mini iPad and a MacBook Pro with all the latest OS and IOS updates.

This problem started when I did the Big Sur update on 4/27/2021.

I worked with Apple for technical assistance.....I have erased the ipod photos cache, reinstalled Big Sur, restored my iPhone and Mini iPad...even restored my MacBook Pro to prior to 4/20/21 (before the Big Sur update but the problem remains.

If anyone finds a solution, kindly post to help the rest of us. Thank you.

Same issue for me. Applying latest iOS (14.6) and macOS (11.4) updates appears to have caused this (not sure which). Deleted iPod Photo Caches - no change. Still stuck on step 5. I even changed it to only sync 1 photo album with a limited number of photos. Still never finishes. "Skip Photos" does nothing. Cannot eject iPhone. And Finder refuses to allow a restart/shutdown since it is syncing an iOS device.

Interesting that removing all iPhone photos solved the problem.

I was under the impression that the syncing error is because of trying to read the photos library in my iMac, not my iPhone.

Have you tried reloading your pictures back to your iPhone and syncing again?

The underlaying problem still remains, however.

I hope Apple Tech Dept. comes through with a solution soon.

Me too. It's been about a month since I asked for Apple Tech. Assistance. After dumping a bunch of data from my iMac to Apple tech support, the solution is not forthcoming.

I contacted Apple support again last week, no answer yet.

Not clear why it takes so long.

It is because there are only a handful of users with this problem, given the limited # of users in this community.

Or because many iPhone users seldom bother to sync the iPhones and the problem is still under reported.

Or Apple may will quietly fix this problem in new IOS, OS updates.

Has anyone tried to fully reset their iPhones and done a clean install re-syncing from an old backup?

I am afraid to do this because I may not be able to install any thing in the iPhone if syncing continues to be disabled.

Been on the phone with them this morning. No One seems to know what's going on I was transferred to 3 different supervisors Finally the fourth did a few things, but now I'm Awaiting a call back from them- he was able to get things to delete from my phone without hold up but now I can't get anything on my phone - AGAIN it's just stuck in "reading the photo library". One rep actually told me they were planning to do away with the "Sync" feature to your Mac altogether. Which Is totally untrue from what the other rep told me. This is a problem that really needs to be addressed ASAP

Same issue.

Tried

• Deleting iPod Photo Cache
• iCloud sync on iPhone on - off
• Making new libraries

Apple Support's last suggestion was to reinstall Big Sur. Didn't do this as it doesn't seem to help others.

Help appreciated!

I 1000000% Agree with all of you. I'm seriously considering taking to twitter on this. I spent upwards of two hours the other day on the phone with a "senior advisor" that was going to escalate this to their tech department. I am supposed to get a reply by July 5. I mentioned the fact that I KNOW I'm not the only individual encountering this issue but they claim that this was and is the very first time they have addresses my specific issue. I was about to scream! Not please in the very least. If any of you have any kind of ability to take to twitter I would greatly appreciate it as well- I don't want to be the ONLY disgruntled customer that seems to be having this issue because when I speak to these "supervisors" All 5 I spoke too were completely perplexed and in dismay that they could have anything wrong or glitches with their software. Instead it's all ME and all My software on the computer I own - I have heard it all from It's dropbox issues to adobe software. which both of those things have ZERO to do with reading photo libraries or my phone. We need to band together and get them to address their glitch.

I'm having the same issue. The sync is stuck on "Reading Photos library". The "Skip Photos" button doesn't work. I tried deleting every photo on my iphone -- didn't help. I don't have a "iPod Photo Cache" to delete, so that is no help. When the phone was doing a general backup in step 1, I was able to rush over to the Photos tab and uncheck "Sync photos to your device...", but I don't know if it will stick, because the "Apply" button is grey, can't choose it. Even if it IS still checked, it is set to sync only one small album.

My photos library on my MacBook IS large, but I should be allowed to have a large photos library and still be able to sync my iphone 12-mini.

A related problem. Since there is NO WAY to stop it, none of the buttons work, and the iphone won't eject either. And I can't restart the computer while it's "reading photos library" because I get the message restart won't happen until the finder finishes its task -- and we all know that will never happen. So to get my phone back, I have to just take the cable out.

I hope a solution is found soon.