Catastrophic failure during photos copying...

My previous thread was closed. So have to open new one.


Still not able to copy photos from my iPhone to PC. Still have catastrophic failure error, the same as 15 years ago.

But this time with iPhone 16 Pro Max an iOS 26.


Looks like this is catastrophic failure of Apple, which cannot fix simple files copying.


P.S.

But worse thing after catastrophic failure error, no way to see photos folder at all.

Only rebooting helps.

Absolutely incredible and ashame!

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Posted on Dec 20, 2025 6:54 AM

Reply
21 replies

Dec 20, 2025 7:10 AM in response to andrey_20

andrey_20 wrote:

My previous thread was closed. So have to open new one.

Still not able to copy photos from my iPhone to PC. Still have catastrophic failure error, the same as 15 years ago.
But this time with iPhone 16 Pro Max an iOS 26.

Looks like this is catastrophic failure of Apple, which cannot fix simple files copying.

P.S.
But worse thing after catastrophic failure error, no way to see photos folder at all.
Only rebooting helps.
Absolutely incredible and ashame!

I'm not sure why you assume this is a catastrophic failure of Apple? I have no issues uploading photos to my computer. What Computer are you using? It's more likely an issue with your computer. Is your computer updated to the latest version? Are you using a cable which is capable of data transfer? There are many factors in play when you're dealing with something else not manufactured by Apple, like a computer.

Dec 20, 2025 7:28 AM in response to andrey_20

andrey_20 wrote:

Sure. I never changed computers since 2008. Look, i'm software developer. And i used at least 100 different computers, at home, in the office, changed cables, software etc. The issue is existing..., try to google it. Apple community have this issue since ages. And complaining about this everywhere, Apple just doesn't care!

Google? LOL. I can Google the earth is flat and find loads of links where people are proof positive it is.


Look, I'm not suggesting you don't have an issue. But to suggest without any proof it is a catastrophic failure of Apple is pure deflection. Which is surprising if, as you suggest, you're really a software developer.


This is a user to user only forum. Apple doesn't participate here, nor read for user feedback, so what are you expecting anyone here to do about an issue you're having (as already suggested, I don't have issues uploading photos to my computer). If you think Apple needs to do something about this, you can provide feedback to Apple here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple


Dec 20, 2025 7:38 AM in response to andrey_20

andrey_20 wrote:

There is also funny behaviour.
When i move files (when it should destroy files in device after copy) - entire folder structure just disappears on apple device. And to see files again - i need to reconnect the cable. After reconnecting files appear in approx 5 mins. So after each batch copy i have to wait minimum 5 mins to continue...


What happens when using the Apple Devices app, and not whatever app you’re using here?

Dec 20, 2025 7:50 AM in response to MrHoffman

Not sure which Apple app you mean. There is Photos app embedded to windows which suppose to be used for photos backup. But as i mentioned this program is not created for humans and has zero practical value.


I'm using files browser to copy / move files. This is by any meaning the best way to move files and save some space on device. But... it just doesn't work as expected...


P.S. I didn't use Photos app a lot since it is quite bad, But tried several times in past. Gives catastrophic failure and many other random errors.

Dec 20, 2025 7:50 AM in response to andrey_20

andrey_20 wrote:

Are you serious? We discussed this already many times. Photos app isn't created for humans. No way to use it at all for serious photos / videos backup.

I just want to copy them myself using simple old files manager.

I don't remember you discussing this.


Basically don't try to buck the process with your "i'd rather...", developer or not.


Photos from iphone to a computer must be a PULL process, not a PUSH or a COPY N PASTE solution. Resistance to the status quo is futile. It has worked fine since 2007.


The PC app you need is Apple Devices, to pull in photos.

Dec 20, 2025 8:14 AM in response to andrey_20

andrey_20 wrote:

Not sure which Apple app you mean. There is Photos app embedded to windows which suppose to be used for photos backup. But as i mentioned this program is not created for humans and has zero practical value.

I'm using files browser to copy / move files. This is by any meaning the best way to move files and save some space on device. But... it just doesn't work as expected...

P.S. I didn't use Photos app a lot since it is quite bad, But tried several times in past. Gives catastrophic failure and many other random errors.


Here is how Apple suggests importing the photos from iPhone into a Windows PC:



See the section: Import to your Windows PC


Here is how to get the Apple Devices app:



For assistance with Windows apps and with file and photo transfer operations not involving the Apple Devices app, contact Microsoft Support, or check with the Microsoft support forums. This includes feedback on and crashes or bugs in the Windows Photo app, and with whatever Windows-based file or photo transfers you are performing here in place of using the Apple Devices app.

Dec 20, 2025 8:23 AM in response to andrey_20

andrey_20 wrote:

Not sure which Apple app you mean. There is Photos app embedded to windows which suppose to be used for photos backup. But as i mentioned this program is not created for humans and has zero practical value.

I'm using files browser to copy / move files. This is by any meaning the best way to move files and save some space on device. But... it just doesn't work as expected...

P.S. I didn't use Photos app a lot since it is quite bad, But tried several times in past. Gives catastrophic failure and many other random errors.

So. You're a software developer...


What's your response when you write and application and provide explicit documentation of how to accomplish a task, then users come whining to you because it doesn't work when they ignore your instructions and decide to do it their own way?


Now apply that logic to this situation. You were told by Microsoft how to do it. I'm not going to waste time or energy on someone who refuses to follow simple instructions.


Dec 21, 2025 12:30 AM in response to KiltedTim

Copying synchtonizing files between devices is simplest operation, which exists since beginning of PC era.

Before iOS i had Pocket PC which had SD card, so excahnging of files wasn't an issue at all those days.

There where also some Symbian OS based phones, where files syncing was also flawless operation.

I also had several android devices, where files copying works perfectly since the beginning in all Android version. Apple devices do not have any SD card slots, whatever. They also cannot transfer files with simple USB file protocols. This happens since the beginning in 2007 and exists till now in iOS 26.


In order to save phone memory - i need to organize folders by dates taken, and then inside folders - sort files by size. No any provided program by MS or Apple is able to do this. I will not explain what wrong with those programms again, because i already tried to do this here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253398622?sortBy=rank

Also i need to move files in batches and continue with next batches, without waiting, reconnecting, rebooting, errors showing, etc.

There are really lot of annoing random non-informative errors. Like "The requested value cannot be determined". Or "Catastrophic failure".


I'm not talking about rocket since, AI, whatever. Files transfer is mandatory operation of any operating system.

Why Apple just cannot disable files browsing on their devices at all, if anyway you cannot do anything with those files ?


Catastrophic failure during photos copying...

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