JeffLe73
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Unable to import photos to my Windows PC

Hello,

 

I've had my iPhone 5 for a few years now and it has been working great.  However, I am now unable to move photos and videos off of the phone via Windows Explorer.  The issue appears to have started after the latest software update to iOS 8.1.2.  Anyone else having this issue?

 

My desktop computer is running Windows 8.1 with all of the latest updates, as well as the latest iTunes (12.0.1.26).  When I plug in the device I can see it in Device Manager and under "My Computer" and I can open it and see all my photos and videos.  The problem is when I try to MOVE them from the phone to my PC, it only COPIES the file and is then unable to remove it from the phone (doesn't prompt with any errors, just doesn't remove the photo/video).  If I try to delete the file (still via Windows Explorer) I get the error:

"IMG_5156.PNG could not be deleted. You do not have permission to delete this item."

 

I've tried the following:

  • Delete the photo directly from the phone via the Camera app - Photos successfully delete
  • Reset Security and Location & Privacy settings and re-trust the computer - no change
  • Verified the phone "Trusts" this computer. - no change
  • Tried plugging phone into work laptop running Windows 7 and "Trusting" that computer - same problem
  • Tried Repair option on "Apple Mobile Device Support" - no joy
  • Tried iOS: Unable to import photos to computer - Apple Support - no luck - skipped resetting the phone step.

 

Aside from resetting the entire phone I've exhausted all that I can think of.  Re-installing iTunes shouldn't be necessary for an issue like this as iTunes isn't even involved in the action of moving the photos via Windows Explorer.  Any other suggestions out there?  My phone is full and I need to free up some space and this is just really annoying.

 

Thanks in advance.

iPhone 5, iOS 8, Windows 8.1

Posted on Dec 23, 2014 8:27 AM

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JeffLe73

Q: Unable to import photos to my Windows PC

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  • Helpful answers

  • by bfair66,

    bfair66 bfair66 Dec 24, 2014 12:41 PM in response to JeffLe73
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2014 12:41 PM in response to JeffLe73

    After an hour with Apple support I am never getting back, I was able to figure out the problem.

     

    The issue is caused by iCloud Photo Library. When that is turned on and photos/videos have not yet been uploaded to iCloud, the device would not let you delete them.  To workaround, either disable iCloud Photo Library (Settings-> Photos & Camera), which will also stop uploading all your photos, or wait until they are all uploaded.

  • by bfair66,

    bfair66 bfair66 Dec 24, 2014 1:06 PM in response to bfair66
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2014 1:06 PM in response to bfair66

    I was wrong about waiting for upload to complete.  Unfortunately, you must disable iCloud Photo Library to be able to delete photos through Windows Explorer. 

  • by Ralph9430,

    Ralph9430 Ralph9430 Dec 24, 2014 2:17 PM in response to bfair66
    Level 6 (18,243 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 24, 2014 2:17 PM in response to bfair66

    If you are trying to copy photos from the Camera Roll album on the iPhone to the PC try using whatever image capture or camera application you have on the PC instead of Windows Explorer. The PC should recognize the iPad as a camera and allow you to copy the photos to the PC and leave or delete them from the iPad.

  • by JeffLe73,

    JeffLe73 JeffLe73 Dec 24, 2014 5:09 PM in response to Ralph9430
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2014 5:09 PM in response to Ralph9430

    Ralph I don't use an "image capture or camera application" and have been using Windows Explorer to do this on my iPod, iPad and iPhone devices since I got my iPhone 3GS.  It has worked just fine until now.  Problem is, it now only copies the photos and doesn't remove them from the devic anymore.  I'm going to try disabling the iCloud Photo Library as the other reply suggested and see if that helps.

  • by JeffLe73,

    JeffLe73 JeffLe73 Dec 24, 2014 5:10 PM in response to bfair66
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2014 5:10 PM in response to bfair66

    Thanks for the tip!  I will give it a try.  Are you disabling it on the device itself or in the iCloud config on your Windows PC?

  • by bfair66,

    bfair66 bfair66 Dec 24, 2014 7:17 PM in response to JeffLe73
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2014 7:17 PM in response to JeffLe73

    From the iPhone: Settings -> Photos & Camera

  • by adam.gold3,

    adam.gold3 adam.gold3 Mar 15, 2015 7:30 AM in response to JeffLe73
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 15, 2015 7:30 AM in response to JeffLe73

    I was having the same issue.  I used the tip above (disabling iCloud sharing) and it worked.