[Solved]Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac? Fixes Here!

iPhoto/Photos won't import photos from iPhone? Can't import photos from your iPhone to your Mac with iPhoto/Photos? If you are troubled by the very same issue, read this blog post to learn how to transfer pictures from iPhone to Mac with a FREE alternative way and how to fix the issue with the solutions provided.

myra
Myra updated on Aug 24, 2023 | Home > iOS & Mac Topics

"I wanted to import photos from iPhone to Mac via iPhoto, but only to find that it didn’t work. Are there any effective solutions I can try?"

"I tried to transfer photos from my iPhone to my Mac to free up my iPhone space. But iPhoto won’t import photos from my iPhone successfully. What should I do?"

According to iPhone users, many have encountered the issue of " Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac when they tried to transfer photos from iPhone to iMac or MacBook. Luckily, in addition to using the built-in features like iPhoto or Photo App on your Mac to import photos from your iPhone, there are other completely FREE methods to get things done, which will be introduced in Part 1. Besides, if you insist on importing photos from iPhone to iPhone, you can learn how to fix the issue. iPhoto Won't Import Photos from iPhone with the solutions provided in Part 2. (The keys provided can also be applied to your devices when you can't import videos from iPhone to Mac.)

Part 1. How to import photos from iPhone to Mac for free

There are many other ways to successfully transfer photos from iPhone to Mac without iPhoto or Photos App. But the most practical and useful one is to use the FREE iOS data transfer tool compatible with Mac and Windows PCs, EaseUS MobiMover Free. With MobiMover, you can transfer data from iPhone to iPhone or move data between an iOS device and a computer. What’s more, MobiMover is also equipped with file management features that help to manage your iDevice content from your computer by deleting, editing, or adding items.

What can MobiMover transfer or manage for you:

Photos: Camera Roll, Photo Library, Photo Stream, Photo Videos

Videos: Movies, TV shows, Music Videos

Audios: Music, Ringtones, Voice Memos, Audiobooks

Others: Contacts, Notes, Messages, Voice Mails, Books, and Safari Bookmarks

As you can see from the list above, the files you can import from your iPhone are not limited to photos and videos. Besides, with iPhoto or Photos App, you can only import photos from Camera Roll to Mac. While you can transfer all photos in Camera Roll, Photo Stream, and Photo Library from your iPhone to Mac using EaseUS MobiMover. Wonderful, right? Follow the steps below to get things done when you can't import photos or videos from iPhone to Mac with iPhoto/Photos.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to Mac with a USB cable. Run EaseUS MobiMover, choose "Phone to Mac" and click the "Next" button to continue. 

How to transfer photos from Mac to iPad without iTunes - Step 1

Step 2. Check the category/categories you want to copy from your iPhone to Mac. As you can see, you can copy other supported files together with photos from your iPhone to Mac all at once. After that, don't forget to customize the storage path for the exported photos unless you want to save them on your desktop. 

How to transfer photos from Mac to iPad without iTunes - Step 2

Step 3. Now, click the "Transfer" button to start transferring photos or other files from your iPhone to Mac without iTunes. Exporting files from iPhone to Mac with MobiMover is the right way for backup to avoid unexpected data loss. 

How to transfer photos from Mac to iPad without iTunes - Step 3

For iPhone users, EaseUS MobiMover Free is an unmissable tool for iOS data transfer and file management. When you get a new iPhone, you will probably need to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone and sync contacts from iPhone to iPhone, which can be quickly done with MobiMover.

Part 2. Fixes to Can't Import Photos from iPhone to Mac

Solution 1. Check your iPhone status

To make the photo transfer from your iPhone to your Mac possible, you must unlock your iPhone when and after you connect your iPhone to your Mac and click Trust when the trust messages appear on your iPhone.

Solution 2. Reset Location & Privacy

Many users have proved the effectiveness of this tip. When you can’t import photos from iPhone to Mac, follow the steps below to reset Location & Privacy and choose Trust when the prompt appears on your iPhone asking you whether to trust this computer or not.

Step 1. Open Settings App on your iPhone.

Step 2. Go to General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy and click Reset Settings to confirm.

Step 3. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and click Trust on your iPhone.

Step 4. Import photos from iPhone to Mac.

Solution 3. Reconnect your iPhone and restart the programs

Disconnect your iPhone from your Mac, shouting down the programs involved, restart your computer, and then plug your iPhone back in and try to import photos from your iPhone to your Mac again.

Solution 4. Check for updates on your iPhone and Mac

The software on your Mac or the operating system of your devices may be too old to support photo transfer and make you can’t import photos from iPhone to Mac. Here is the software you need to update. (This tip is also helpful when you can't import photos from an iPhone to a Windows PC.)

  • Update iTunes to its latest version.
  • Update photo-management App (iPhoto, Photos, Image Capture) to its latest version.
  • Update the iOS operating system on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update.