Re-Importing Photos with Image Capture

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Level 7

31,481 points

Re-Importing Photos with Image Capture

Hi folks, I don't know if I am posting this on the right forum. If not feel free to have it moved.

I have been doing some research trying to help this user and also to learn.

Import ALL photos (including photos from iTunes backup) from iphone to mac

I have a Mac and a PC but I use the PC for my main Photo Library. When I import photos from my iPhone to the PC using the import wizard, Windows 10 keeps a cache to remember the photos that have been imported previously so they don't re-import. I can post the path to the cache but there is no need, the cache is a system file called "PreviouslyAcquired.db". If I delete photos from my PC that were previously imported and then want to re-import them, I have to reset that cache (delete it) in order for the photos to import again. Otherwise the previously imported photos are ignored and only new ones show up on the import wizard.

The reason for this post is that I am wondering if OS X (Photos or Image Capture) keeps the same type of cache. I also wonder if that is the reason the OP on the thread above cannot re-import the photos that were restored from their old iPhone.

So my questions are:

1) With OS X Image Capture, can one re-import photos that were previously imported?

2) Does OS X maintain a cache similar to Windows and if so where is it located and how is it reset? I have looked on my MBP 10.11.5 but to no avail. Obviously it is not the iPod Photo Cache - that one is associated with iTunes syncs only. I also launched Image Capture but cannot see any setting to that effect.

3) Will I.C. give me the option to re-import if it has imported the same photos before? I could conduct an experiment but the bright minds here no doubt know the answers.

Any info appreciated... 🙂

Posted on Jul 13, 2016 6:29 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

léonie

Level 10

195,013 points

Jul 13, 2016 10:16 PM in response to elcpu

I have not found any Apple documentation on this, but when I use Image Capture to import from a device or card to a folder in the Finder, I can import the same items over and over again. There is no checking for previous imports.

Only when I import using a photo application that is maintaining a photo library (Photos, iPhoto, Aperture) the photos will be checked for duplicates on import. But even with Photos, iPhoto, Aperture I can restore deleted photos by importing again from the device, if I deleted them from the photo library.

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Answer 2

elcpu Author

Level 7

31,481 points

Jul 14, 2016 9:03 AM in response to léonie

Hi léonie, thanks for explaining Image Capture and the behaviour of the Photo Libraries... They handle previous imports differently than Windows and they do not appear to be the issue the OP reported on my link above. 🙂

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Answer 3

LarryHN

Level 10

106,110 points

Jul 14, 2016 9:17 AM in response to elcpu

Yes a Mac is different from a PC and there is no expectation that anything about it will be the same as a PC (if fact that is exactly why Mac users love their Macs, they are not like PCs)

LN

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Answer 4

elcpu Author

Level 7

31,481 points

Jul 14, 2016 9:48 AM in response to LarryHN

As a user of both (a MBP 10.11.5 and a Dell Laptop W10) there are features on one that are not available on the other and vice versa. IMO File Explorer on W10 is far superior to Finder. Image Capture is superior to the Import Wizard. Keyboard on the Dell is better, Trackpad in the MBP is better. W10 is a vast improvement over W7 and 8. My new Dell (i7 Skylake, Hybrid Drive, 16 GB RAM) boots in 24 seconds, about the same as the MBP even though W10 is a larger OS. My old Dell W7 took about 2 minutes.... My MBP (13") is my computer of choice for portability (I am on it now). My Dell (15.6") is the workhorse but it hardly leaves my desk... 🙂

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Answer 5

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Jul 16, 2016 1:05 PM in response to LarryHN

LarryHN wrote

fact that is exactly why Mac users love their Macs, they are not like PCs)

FTW!
QFT!

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Answer 6

elcpu Author

Level 7

31,481 points

Jul 20, 2016 7:30 PM in response to LarryHN

Larry or other experts on Photos for Mac - Could you help this user: Re: Photos will not import iPhone photos

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