Can't edit or share my iPhone photos

Given the number of people that have indicated “me too”, Apple must be aware of this issue.

I’ve been using iOS and iPhoto (and now photos) for years without issue. This bug manifested itself only when I turned on iCloud Photo Library and optimize phone storage. I’ve got 123k photos and 5k videos.

If you’re patient, you can almost “see” that the bug is related to iCloud sync. If you take a picture, it’s immediately visible in the camera roll on the camera app, but not in Photos. If you display the picture in the camera app, and do nothing - sit there - while connected to WiFi, the share option will become available, presumably after the sync is complete. If you’re not in WiFi and have cellular sync disabled, the option to share will remain greyed out until you’re on WiFi.

What concerns me most is that Apple might consider this expected behavior and not a bug. It’s a terrible customer experience and needs to be fixed.

I finally spent the time to speak with Apple Support, eventually getting my case "escalated" to a Photos app specialist (who was very helpful but took me forever to be put in touch with). He suggested he have my iCloud Photo Library examined by a specialist as there might be some files therein that are causing the problem. Sure enough, about a week later, my entire camera roll is back to normal and no problem accessing/editing photos--just as it should.

Best thing I can recommend is to dedicate some time to work with Apple Support to resolve the issue. It's a bit painstaking, but eventually a solution was found.

Hi I noticed that it happens (no edit, no share) if one takes the photo quickly from standby mode or just after unlocking. If you wait one second more, there is no problem, so I guess somehow the connection temporary phone status influences forever the life of a photo.

It is wrong, it is a big, as you might to want to take a picture as fast as you can sometimes (car accident, a nice family moment etc.)

I have this issue with greyed out options for share/edit- BUT-I'm also noticing that my iPhone shows pictures I've taken and when I connect USB to it to view on computer in Windows Explorer- it only shows partial pictures and not all.

Anyone else notice this issue as well??

I must say that as a dedicated apple lover who has spent tens of thousands of dollars over the years on apple products that I'm extremely disappointed with this issue. Ever since I got my new iPhone X I've had this issue and never have time to try and get this fixed- Of course every time I'm in a apple store I ask about it but never got any solution. Now after spending a dream vacation and trying to take pics quickly (often opening up to a blurred screen unable to take a photo but that's another complaint) and then when I do take a pic I cannot even edit them for forward them it just makes me want to toss the phone into the trash and buy a Galaxy. I just don't understand how spending over $1k on the 256gb phone that I cannot take a photo and immediately use it as intended. Nor can I even edit or forward pics from yesterday or a week ago! To me it is so simple that Apple should have made OS update with cloud and photos app to measure if you have open space available on my phone which I do have over 100gb free that all pics taken within the last 30 days are on my phone's storage as those are most often the ones you are using to edit or forward. Then after 30 days they can go into the cloud. A bit like your deleted photos are on a timer before deleted. A simple solution that Apple should have fixed a long time ago. Very disappointing not to see any apple response to this thread. I sadly see a company that used to never release anything unless it was close to perfect to now releasing apps and products that are not close to right and repairing them. You will lose us if this continues in this direction.

This problem began for my iPhone X 256GB last night. I have tried everything suggested and nothing works. I try to edit a photo I just took, it says downloading, then a few minutes later it says cannot download. This happens for every photo on my iPhone. Everything is turned on. I have rebooted. I quit all the apps and reboot it. Nothing helps.

If you use iCloud Photo Library and Optimize IPhone Storage option, it might be a problem with your cloud library. I would recommend getting on the phone with Apple Support and getting them to transfer you to a Photos app specialist. They can have someone examine your iCloud Photo Library as there might be something in the cloud clogging up the memory/bandwidth, which can take about a week.

I did it a few weeks ago and everything seems to be working perfectly again—no longer having problems with editing/sharing photos.

[Reposted from another reply]

If you use iCloud Photo Library and Optimize IPhone Storage option, it might be a problem with your cloud library. I would recommend getting on the phone with Apple Support and getting them to transfer you to a Photos app specialist. They can have someone examine your iCloud Photo Library as there might be something in the cloud clogging up the memory/bandwidth, which can take about a week.

I did it a few weeks ago and everything seems to be working perfectly again—no longer having problems with editing/sharing photos.

I had the same issue not being able to do anything to my picture and still couldn’t find any solution but jus a trick u can use a messaging app like telegram send it using the app itself and then try to save the image this time from ur chat history like the other person send that picture then u’ll be able to edit ur new saved pic in Camera roll.

I know this is super late but I just recently saw your post. I had the same question and problem. Unfortunately in low power mode the phone will not allow you to upload or share. Once taken out of that mode you will be able to do so. I really hope this helps.

I know this post is old but from the replies on here it's NOT solved!

My husband and I are having the same problem. Aside from taking a screen shot of the image I want to share/edit and then editing the screen shot to not look like a screen shot; the only other "work around" I have found is turning HDR off completely. We always have the option HDR in the photo app set to "auto"; which makes this even more confusing/frustrating. We would really love to hear from Apple on this post as it would be much easier than sitting on hold for two hours trying to get a live person!

Thanks in advance!

Long time Apple user and patron. Come on Apple, take care of your people. All of us spend $1000's on your products and it would be nice to use them with ease and lack of confusion! 😉

Same for me. I haven't found a pattern but around 10% of my pics I can't edit or share. ** dmw

I have raised a new issue that is not marked as solved here:

Edit & share photos disabled

I also am having the same problem. It does not matter what I do to my phone nothing has fixed the problem. Have you found a way to fix this? If so please let me know at nrsackett@yahoo.com