Mac Photos Stopped Recognizing iPhone

Question

Mac Photos Stopped Recognizing iPhone

Every so often, the Photos app on my Macbook just stops recognizing my iPhone when plugged in via USB. The usual suggested fixes - restarting bluetooth & wifi, restarting both devices, etc., are not working. This has happened again, coinciding with another Airdrop failure as well, making it even more disruptive because Airdrop was the main alternative to USB transfer. Now I'm emailing them to myself, which is ridiculous. I've signed in and out of iCloud, actually reset bluetooth through terminal in MacOS.

I've tried every conceivable solution found online except for updating MacOS to Ventura (using macOS Monterey 12.6 & iOS 16.7). I will suffer through missing these functions before I'd consider that. I'm certain that will cause more problems than it will solve.

I would be grateful for any potential solutions anyone might be able to suggest.

MacBook Pro (M2, 2022)

Posted on Sep 29, 2023 6:14 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

215,190 points

Sep 29, 2023 10:48 AM in response to adamfromtempe

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Reply

Mac Photos Stopped Recognizing iPhone

Similar questions