Level 1

68 points

Cannot Share Photos in iOS 17

Using iOS 17 on an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

- I'm unable to take a picture and immediately share it - via any app. In other words, if I take a picture and want to immediately attach it to a text message, I cannot. I'm presented with the "Preparing..." pop-up up, and it eventually just times out with an "Unable to Share: There was an error while preparing to share. Please try again later." message. As of this morning, it seems that I only have to wait around 5 minutes to share a photo that I take. Before today, it seemed to take a lot longer.

- iCloud sync of new photos takes forever. I can’t be specific, but it’s somewhere between a few hours and a day. I took about 20 photos 45 minutes ago, and the iCloud Photo sync status has been stuck at “Syncing...” since then. Rebooting or enabling/re-enabling sync does nothing to resolve the issue.

Posted on Nov 8, 2023 8:32 PM

Top-ranking reply

Ritodd142

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Dec 21, 2023 10:59 AM

I was having this issue as well. Only way I got it to start working again:

Close out all apps.
Go into settings.
Click on the first tab under settings, it has your name / apple ID / iCloud
Scroll to the bottom and look for the red “Sign out” button (make sure you remember your info before clicking)
Click sign out.
Restart phone.
Go back into settings, click the first tab again and Sign back in.
Test your sharing.

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47 replies

Emmet Smyth Author

Level 1

68 points

Nov 9, 2023 11:29 PM in response to Emmet Smyth

I’ve submitted a bug report for this:

FB13356274 (Cannot send photo via share sheet after pasting edits to multiple ‘live’, ‘portrait’ photos)

KevH481

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2023 8:44 AM in response to Emmet Smyth

I’m having a similar issue on my 12 Pro. It times out with a white screen when I try to message any photos. Glad I’m not the only one with this issue. Help Apple!

Dec 12, 2023 9:08 PM in response to JB_HK

Bummer. Issue persists for me in 17.2. Hit the share button from photos and the screen is blank and unresponsive. Had to restart twice before it kicked back in. Running on 13 pro.

Dec 17, 2023 1:01 AM in response to Emmet Smyth

Get fixed by latest Whatsapp update.

JB_HK

Level 1

13 points

Nov 9, 2023 8:22 PM in response to Emmet Smyth

Finally somebody else experiencing this issue. We absolutely cannot be the only ones. The behavior you describe is identical for me and I’ve been experiencing from day 1 on iOS 17 and through all subsequent updates.

I have a suspicion it could be due to a mixture of factors, so will highlight a few idiosyncrasies of my environment.

Primary device iPhone 14 Pro Max w/iOS 17.1.1

iCloud Photos enabled, but Cellular Data switched off for Photos

Additonal devices with my account and Photos access on them:

iPad Pro v1 w/iPadOS 16.7.2
iPhone Xs w/iOS 17.1.1
iPhone 7 Plus w/iOS 15.8
Intel Mac Mini w/macOS 14.1.1

Desperately need Apple to fix this. I have a brilliant camera on my iPhone 14 that has been more or less useless for a month as I can’t share photos when I want to, and the moment is lost when the phone finally allows me to send so no use sending.

lzh86

Level 1

8 points

Dec 2, 2023 4:01 PM in response to Emmet Smyth

Similar issues. Updated to iPadOS 17.1.2 last night and now I cannot (1) export/share files from ProCreate, Files or Photos via email, (2) import jpg's from an external SSD to Photos or Files, or (3) share Photos via email.

Dec 21, 2023 2:38 PM in response to JB_HK

I am unable to share any content not just photos. Weblinks, insta links, fb post nothing can be shared. At times copy link also doesnt work. It is pain in the bum. I upgraded recently from iphone 11 to 15 and hit with big bill and lack of features. Hate it!

Emmet Smyth Author

Level 1

68 points

Dec 21, 2023 3:04 PM in response to KevH481

This is the worst issue I’ve had since I began using iPhones with the iPhone 3G way back years ago. I cannot believe such a show-stopper bug has been with us for so many months.

It’s ruining the whole experience of using my iPhone.

Dec 21, 2023 4:45 PM in response to Emmet Smyth

Same issue 13 Pro with 17.2

It took my phone 4 tries and 12 minutes to “prepare” this screenshot to share here…..

This is the message I repeatedly get when trying to share a photo or screenshot from my own phone.

Jan 10, 2024 8:06 AM in response to Emmet Smyth

Wowww thx for stating that. I thought about upgrading from my 12 pro to resolve the issue. After numerous calls with my service provider and Apple, I can now send pics & receive them. Idk what happened… maybe a reset takes more than a few minutes

Feb 29, 2024 8:36 AM in response to Emmet Smyth

On Feb 28, 2024 I can’t share photos on socials or gmail, after updating to iOS 17. I relay on photo sharing for work and personal life. If Apple doesn’t fix this soon, removing this basic functionality from ios17 means I’ll go Android.

Mar 27, 2024 4:10 AM in response to Emmet Smyth

Its 27March 2024, I blame myself from upgrading my software from ios16 to ios17.4.1, the share function is not working at all, I have tried all I could but no solution, I can’t share documents, pics or anything across the apps. And my documents app and all apps I use for reading keep crashing and freezing. At this point I am losing it, and would rather switch to Android, IPhone is just not what it used to be

Emmet Smyth Author

Level 1

68 points

Nov 10, 2023 12:51 AM in response to JB_HK

The issue exists for me on an iPhone 15 Pro Max but not on my 14 Pro Max. Exact same software installed and on the same iCloud account with the same Photos backup.

Emmet Smyth Author

Level 1

68 points

Nov 10, 2023 12:52 AM in response to Emmet Smyth

I’ve also submitted this discussion and bug report iOS Photos app - cannot send photo follow… - Apple Community

Emmet Smyth Author

Level 1

68 points

Dec 12, 2023 3:32 PM in response to JB_HK

Thanks for the heads-up JB_HK. Just trying out the new update now, fingers crossed 🤞🏻

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Cannot Share Photos in iOS 17