Captions on iOS photos do NOT import to macOS Photos - FIX

  • A workaround till Apple fixes an iOS bug that prevents edited versions of iOS photos eg captions entered to a photo on an iPhone from being imported. Thanks to @Matti Haveri for his guidance on this.
  • Download GraphicConverter (it’s worth it!)
  • Open GraphicConverter to “fix” the metadata before importing images to Photos library.
  • Open the Finder Downloads folder in GC Browser and go to 4th icon on top line - IPTC/XMP Metadata > Edit File Info (IPTC/XMP) > One selected image at a time. Then one-by-one click "OK & Next [cmd-N]" so GC copies your existing Caption to XMP-dc:Description where Photos.app can find it when importing to its library.



  • On iMac, in Photos, File/import/Downloads and Select then select Import
  • After import, straighten up shots Edit, Crop, adjust as necessary
  • NB Setting Options to Most Compatible/Individual/All Photos Data OFF changes HEIC to JPG; rest unchanged
  • NB Importing photos using lightning cable from iPhone does NOT copy captions across
  • NB Importing photos using iCloud imports all photos but only captions for photos that have been edited - captions for unedited photos must be added manually on iMac unless fixed using GC. 


[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on Oct 4, 2025 3:44 PM

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Captions on iOS photos do NOT import to macOS Photos - FIX

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