MacBook Photos app doesn’t recognize connected iPhone

I have manually downloaded iPhone pics to MacBook for YEARS, using variety of phones and MacBooks. But now, my MacBook Photos app does not show my iPhone in the sidebar when trying to import photos. I have used the indentical devices to do this many times, and I know how to use the Photos app. I have restarted both devices. I have tried a different USB-to-Lightning jack cable. Same result. iPhone shows in the sidebar of a Finder window, but NOT in the Photos app when I try to import photos from my phone.

Both devices are charged and software is up to date (iPhone 12 Pro Max running iOS17.4.1; MacBook Air M1 2020 running Sonoma 14.4.1). I have looked at similar questions on Apple Communities, and most answers direct users to Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC - Apple Support. I am unable to go past step 3 or 4 on the instructions there since my iPhone doesn't show in the Photos sidebar for importing. I have toggled iCloud sync “off” on both devices. I am not being asked by either device to trust the the other device.

What am I missing?

MacBook Air (M1, 2020)

Posted on Apr 16, 2024 11:52 AM

Top-ranking reply

tj_610 Author

Level 1

26 points

Posted on Apr 16, 2024 12:00 PM

OK…so, I solved it myself. Posting here because it seems to be a problem others face.

For some reason, my connected iPhone no longer appears on the import sidebar of Photos app.

Instead, I had to go to the top menu bar for Photos app, View —> Devices —> iPhone. Then my iPhone photos appeared for download/sync. Not sure why the change, but it works.

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MacBook Photos app doesn’t recognize connected iPhone

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