iPhone not appearing in Photos sidebar

My iPhone 14 is connected via USB cable to my iMac running Sonoma; it will appear in my finder sidebar but not my photos sidebar so I cannot import images. any ideas? thanks

iMac (M3, 2023)

Posted on Mar 10, 2024 6:54 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 10, 2024 11:19 AM

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.



4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 10, 2024 11:19 AM in response to Mah name is Dayvid

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.



Mar 10, 2024 1:25 PM in response to Mah name is Dayvid

Thanks again for responding. I was on the phone a couple of times with Apple support and they were truly stumped. It turns out that connecting my phone to the computer using the USB-C to lightning cable directly from the computer to the phone allowed it to be recognized in the photos app, whereas the old USB (via a USB-C to USB adapter) to lightning did not work. It worked last week, but not today. I have no idea why.


I am curious to try the safe mode thing, but have not yet.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iPhone not appearing in Photos sidebar

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