Unable to import photos from iPhone to iMac

robcarn wrote:

I have an older iMac that is running Big Sur OS 11.7.10, which is the latest version of Mac OS that this iMac can run. I am now unable to import photos from my iPhone 13 (running iOS 26.1) to the Photos app on the iMac. It just hangs up on "preparing to import from iPhone 13".

My iPhone photos automatically upload to my iCloud Drive, but Photos on the iMac can no longer automatically download new photos/videos from the iCloud Drive either. It just stays stuck on "updating..." at the bottom of the Library page in Photos.

I'd very much like to have the iMac Photos Library be up to date with what's in my iCloud Drive, but it's like they can't talk to each other anymore. What's the fix?

Regarding your first issue- welcome to the club. I haven't been able to fix it, but I did find an odd workaround. Fully quit the Mac Photos app (⌘ + Q), reopen it, and re-click on your phone in the sidebar. If it gives the same message after a few seconds, try again... quit Photos, reopen it, and click your phone again in the sidebar. Sometimes it takes a few attempts (5-8) but it's never failed to eventually load the pictures for import.

Unfortunately I'm not sure about your iCloud Drive issue as I don't use that service. Perhaps someone else can chime in with relevant advice about that.

robcarn wrote:

The first issue fix worked!!!! Thank you!!

Happy to help- it's weird but it works, heh.