Can I modify an app so it will not launch?

I have a corrupt file somewhere in my tens of thousands of photos which keeps causing kernel panic on my MBP running Sequoia 15.7.2.


Short of removing Photos (if I even can, sometimes Apple apps can't even be removed), is there a way to prevent it from launching when I plug my phone in? I'd like to just manage it somehow so it cannot be opened.


There's a gob of info out there on how to prevent it from starting at login, or when I plug in my phone, but I want to be able to modify it so it *never* opens, unless I reverse the modification.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 15.7

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 7:35 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 14, 2025 9:04 AM

Vulcan logic say's, repair the Photos Library first.

see > Repair your photo library on Mac - Apple Support

and > How to use the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac - Apple Support


Then connect the iPhone to the Mac and see what happens when it automatically opens Photos.


Now then, if you still do not want your iPhone to automatically open Photos..?

Connect the iPhone to the Mac > select the iPhone in the Photos sidebar > uncheck "Open Photos for this device"



1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 14, 2025 9:04 AM in response to Mr. Spock

Vulcan logic say's, repair the Photos Library first.

see > Repair your photo library on Mac - Apple Support

and > How to use the Photos Repair Library tool on your Mac - Apple Support


Then connect the iPhone to the Mac and see what happens when it automatically opens Photos.


Now then, if you still do not want your iPhone to automatically open Photos..?

Connect the iPhone to the Mac > select the iPhone in the Photos sidebar > uncheck "Open Photos for this device"



Can I modify an app so it will not launch?

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