You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can't import photos from iPhone 12 Pro to MacBook Air

I have been searching this question, but can only find work-arounds and not solutions. When I connect my iPhone 12 Pro to my MacBook Air to import photos, all I see is the prompt 'preparing to import.' But nothing happens. I have read that others have this problem, but don't see a real solution. I updated my software, but that has not solved the problem. The article with a possible solution is marked 'archived and no longer available.' Apple needs to solve this.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Jan 3, 2022 5:22 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 4, 2022 3:26 AM

See this Apple article: Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201302


See also this Apple article: Transfer images in Image Capture on Mac

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/image-capture/imgcp1003/mac



8 replies

Jan 19, 2022 5:54 PM in response to Raicya

I have this problem too. I have tried every fix mentioned on the Internet and none have worked consistently. This is a significant issue for many users and APPLE is neglecting us. For those of us that use this feature regularly, it is a real problem that APPLE doesn't provide a proper fix. Many on the Internet suspect that APPLE is trying to force us all into using iCloud for all Photos storage and that seems diabolical and unfair. To simply provide links to articles that send us back around in a circle is even worse.

Today I restored my iphone 12 Pro Max to factory settings, with all updated software. I have rebooted my Macbook Air 2020 M1. I have basically followed every possible instruction and I have NO PHOTOS ON MY IPHONE. Yet, Photos is still stuck in the "Preparing to import from iPhone..." screen. I have waited up to 10 minutes at a time. I have rebooted several times (both iPhone and Macbook Air). I am really really frustrated. This is a company where we pay extra to not have to deal with this type of treatment.

APPLE - Are you listening? Will you fix this problem once and for all? All it takes is a quick Internet search to see how many different forums this has come up on and how many different users have expressed frustrations. I have counted at least 20 different ways that people TRY to get this to work, but not many people are successful on a consistent basis.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE - An issue like this is a serious black eye for you and a complete waste of HOURS of my time, not to count the hundreds of other users over the years with the same problem.

Can't import photos from iPhone 12 Pro to MacBook Air

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.