Photos app is not importing photos from iPhone after Photos freeze

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Level 1

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Photos app is not importing photos from iPhone after Photos freeze

I was importing iPhone photos to the Photos app and the app froze up. I aborted the import. Ever since, the iPhone is recognized, but no photos are seen by Photos and the last import is from when the app froze. I tried restarting, shutting down, I even tried Image Capture and it didn't see any photos at all. I say photos, but also mean videos too. I am wondering if I need to remove a plist or something else that will get it to sync again. (I am sure the files are on iCloud but I cannot get them into my Mac the usual way). Thanks!

2015 MacBook Pro, MacOS 10.12.6, iPhone 7 Plus, latest OS

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.6)

Posted on Sep 1, 2018 9:17 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Eric Root

Level 10

684,051 points

Sep 2, 2018 9:47 AM in response to Skip Edwards

Clarification question - the Photos application on the Mac is the one that is frozen? I am just trying to make sure I understand correctly.

If the Photos application on the Mac is frozen, try repairing the Library. Quit Photos and reopen with the command - option/alt keys held down. See if the repair helps.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

684,051 points

Sep 1, 2018 7:16 PM in response to Skip Edwards

Most posters recommend not using cleaning programs. They can destroy normal computer operations.

CleanMyMac Uninstall

CleanMyMac 2 uninstall

CleanMyMac3 Uninstall

Check for any remaining associated files using these programs.

EasyFind – Spotlight Replacement

Find Any File

If you are using OS 10.10.3 or above, open Photos, then go to Photos/Preferences/iCloud and set up syncing. Then go to System Preferences/iCloud, sign in, and check Photos syncing.

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,051 points

Sep 1, 2018 11:25 AM in response to Skip Edwards

If you are syncing the phone's photos to iCloud, try turning the iCloud sync off before attaching the phone to the computer. Before turning the sync off, make sure you have full resolution photos on the phone.

What happens when you try to sync iCloud photos with the Photos application?

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Answer 4

Skip Edwards Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 1, 2018 3:48 PM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric, and thanks. I turned of the iCloud sync and attached the phone, but it was the same. It still lists the iPhone as a device, but no photos or videos appear for syncing with Photos. I see in Photos that my photo stream is there, but it does not have any videos in the stream.

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Answer 5

Skip Edwards Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 1, 2018 5:56 PM in response to Eric Root

I'm reluctant to turn of "My Photo Stream" in iCloud without having full res photos backed up (although I do have a backup with iMazing for the phone from today). I did notice that PTPCamera that was not responding (via Clean My Mac). Is this something related? Also, I don't know how to sync iCloud photos with the Photos app.

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Answer 6

Skip Edwards Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 1, 2018 8:55 PM in response to Eric Root

I don't use Clean My Mac often, and it only gave a notification about the camera app. I have the syncing already on with iCloud, I am not going to have it put my entire library in iCloud because that is too huge.

Do you know of any way I can revert to a before-freeze state with Photos, or a way to force-sync with the iPhone? Unfortunately I'm away from home and don't have my Time Machine drive with me.

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Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

684,051 points

Sep 1, 2018 5:38 PM in response to Skip Edwards

You are welcome. Image Capture didn't work either when you attached it with syncing off? What happens when you try to sync iCloud photos with the Photos application?

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Answer 8

Skip Edwards Author

Level 1

19 points

Sep 2, 2018 9:46 AM in response to Eric Root

That fixed it! After the repair, I plugged in the iPhone and it pulled all the photos in just like it always did. Thank you so much, Eric 😀

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Photos app is not importing photos from iPhone after Photos freeze

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