iPhone 17 Pro Max unable to send photos that have just been taken with the camera.

I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max. When I take a picture with the camera and try to send it through iMessage, it gets stuck. I also see that sync is paused in iCloud. I have 2 TB of iCloud storage, which I am well below the limit. I’m connected to fast Wi-Fi 6 and getting in my home with a 95% full battery. However, if I try to send photos that were taken a couple of days ago, it works. My photo settings are set to the largest setting and high efficiency. All my other apps are closed, and I’ve also rebooted my phone several times. What could be the issue?

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 11, 2025 8:14 AM

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7 replies

Nov 24, 2025 10:15 AM in response to raakcc

I tried to replicate your experience on my own 17 Pro Max connected to iCloud Photos, but was unable to do so. New photos could be sent by iMessage immediately. However, my phone was not having sync problems at the time.


If you are still having sync problems, you should try to troubleshoot those first. Do you get any additional text explaining why your sync is paused (maybe saving battery or keeping the phone cool)?


I would also be interested to know the answer to Old Toad's question about whether you use the Optimize iPhone Storage option on your device. I do not have it active on mine.

Jan 15, 2026 2:51 AM in response to raakcc

I bought my 17 pro in November 2025 and it's been a problem since for me as well. I've been in contact with their support now for over 2 months and there is still no resolution.


The support (which is calling me every week to update me on the case wether they actually have an update or not) is apparently in contact with the "engineers" who aren't able to even find the problem - but they know it exists for other users as well. I'm so incredible fed up with this problem now since I cannot send photos in ANY app unless I take a screenshot of the photo and then send the screenshot. I cannot sync with google photos either.


The support is trying to help but the "engineers" seem to be unable to fix this problem - and not even locate if it's a software or a hardware problem.


In the support calls I've sent in multiple screen recordings and additional diagnostics data, but still there are no signs of this solving. I've also asked if I can just return it, even though I want it repaired, but apparently you can only return it within 14 days of purchase according to the support.


I don't know what to do and I feel like they are not even trying to solve it in any reasonable manner.


Last thing I heard was today with the support (2026-01-15) was that the "engineers" didn't know what the problem is but that maybe that it will be resolved by the new update (or the next one, or the next one) but that it can be days, weeks or even months before it's solved. Note that there has already been 2 software updates since I first contacted them about this problem (25th of November 2025).

iPhone 17 Pro Max unable to send photos that have just been taken with the camera.

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