I'm trying to use Preview on my MacPro desktop to import images from my iPhone. I'm following the instructions on Preview (El Capitan): Import images from a camera, but the pane that should show the images on my iPhone is empty. There are thousands of photos on my iPhone, and it is on and unlocked. Why can't I choose any photos to import?
VIN,Mac Pro (Early 2009), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)
You cannot use Preview to import them; you can use Preview after they're on your Mac. And, the instructions in that article are for plugging a regular camera into your Mac - I do not believe that iOS has the capabilities. The only thing you can do by plugging in your iPhone is to connect to iTunes to sync / backup.
Does your machine have Airdrop capabilities? That would be the quickest to simply airdrop them.
Or, use iCloud. Or, send them to yourself via email and open that while on your Mac.
Follow these instructions
Import photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
You can also use the Image Capture utility from your Applications folder.
Thanks for posting that - since I never use Photos, I had no idea it could do that.
It turns out that you can use Preview to import photos from an iPhone. My problem seemed to be the connection. I unplugged and replugged my iPhone into my computer, and then I could see all the photos available to import via both Preview and the Photos app. I haven't tried the Image Capture utility, but it's nice to know I now have several options. Don't know why the unplugging/replugging was necessary, though.
Thanks for your help.
Preview finds no images to import
