iTunes stuck on "Reading photos from Pictures"

It is important to delete the iPod cache. Did you go into iTunes photo folders which you have synced before to uncheck all boxes to wipe out what is left in the device? A warning should ask whether you want to erase the contents. Also I found that I had problem to make it work in my iPhone 8 and I finally decided to reboot the pc. After this, the sync occurred resulting over 15000 photos added folder by folder to my device. I don't know how long it took as I left it on overnight.

Yes, it is unclear if the problem was with iTunes or iOS... I will say that when I first encountered the problem, I gave up and terminated the Sync on at least 3 occasions... THEN, when I had other issues to focus on, I just let the Sync run for several hours, and noted that the photos did indeed sync. I'm not sure how long it took, because I didn't monitor it, and it was about 4 or 5 hours later when I got back to it. Subsequently, I'd setup the Sync just before I went to sleep, and would check it 8 or 9 hours later, and all of those Syncs worked.

I am pleased that Apple has fixed this issue (since they initially would not acknowledge the problem, and never announced it was fixed, maybe they fixed it by accident?). I agree with GJP46 that Apple's handling of the problem leaves a LOT to be desired -- they need to have a full disclosure before their credibility suffers more.

When I first encountered this issue, I would abort the Sync... THEN one time I was distracted, and let the Sync run for SEVERAL HOURS, and all the photos were Sync'ed. I then would just do the Sync over night...

I never figured out how much time was actually needed, and after an iOS update, I discovered that the photos Sync'ed in just a few minutes, so back to normal.

I suggest you try a Sync, letting it run for several hours, or overnight -- that just might reset something on your iPhone so it Sync's OK in the future (nothing to lose, right?)

Revert to 12.7.3.46 and all is ok. You'll need an earlier backup of the itunes library file thoough. If not try deleting and hope it recreates one?

This only works for the first sync following removal of the cache folder. Then it's right back down the rabbit hole again.

If the iPod Photo Cache is found..... 😟 bad.

From my experience the issue still persists in iTunes 12.7.4.

iTunes 12.7.3 works fine.

It appears they fixed this with IOS 11.4 update last week. My photo sync is working fine again, with no intervention from me. Thanks for listening, Apple.

There's another thread about this. Having read that I've moved the iPod Photo Cache to another folder and re-synced photos. They are on my phone but do not show up as albums - to view them I have to go into the collections section and view by when the photo was taken! Looks like it is iTunes 12.7.4 causing the problem - I only downloaded that tonight and the synch yesterday had no problems.

I have also had this issue recently since setting my phone up as a new phone. I've called Apple and they have no solution. I am hoping an iTunes update will come out soon as the last one was January 2018 I think. I have found a very slow solution.. Syncing one album at a time rather than all albums at once, at first it doesn't take too long but the more albums you sync the longer each one takes. I synced 2 photo albums this morning which took around 3.5 hours in total, one had about 1500 photos in and the other had less than 500.

I have the same occurrence on my iPad Air. I removed the existing iPod photo cache then ran the iTunes sync, the existing photos in the iPad remained and no new photos were added as the final Step 6 said canceling syncing.

Oddly, I managed to sync successfully the photos on to my newer iphone 8.

Hi Mark

Like you, I had downgraded because of the syncing problem but I went back to the current version from 12.7.4 (I think) onward and it is working perfectly for me. From following this thread, I believe that photo syncing problems are now sorted. I'd say 12.8 is safe to use.

Michael

Just downgrade iTunes to 12.7.3 and issue is solved:)

Same problem. Reverted back to an older version of iTunes. Working fine now.

Apple just (Tuesday, May 29,2018.) released an iTunes update 12.7.5.9.

It solve my photo syncing issues. Hope it works for you.

I noticed this in March, and ultimately discovered that the photos eventually sync, after SEVERAL HOURS!

It seems to have been fixed with the 11.4 update.