iPhone 15 Pro Max not recognized by Photos or Image Capture after iOS and macOS updates

Question

iPhone 15 Pro Max not recognized by Photos or Image Capture after iOS and macOS updates

Until recently after my iPhone 15 Pro Max & Mac Mini M2 were updated to iOS & OS 26, I would see the iPhone when I plugged in a USB cable, and was able to import whatever photos I wanted. But now, Photos is not recognizing, seeing the iPhone when I plug it in! In Settings, and the sidebar, I am not seeing an option to Open Photos when connected. Even Image Capture does not see my iPhone! So, for now, there is no way to Import photos! Is there an iPhone setting I missed, or somehow changed?

I don't see any options in the iPhone Settings that apply... Help Please!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Importing to Photos v11

Mac mini, macOS 26.0

Posted on Oct 13, 2025 4:56 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

George Christensen Author

Level 1

84 points

Oct 14, 2025 2:41 PM in response to George Christensen

I just tried a 3rd USB-A to USB-c cable, different from the prior 2 cables and it connects, allows my downloading into Photos, Syncing as well… So all is resolved. Sadly a broken cable after it had been reliable for a long time...

I tried this 3rd cable while on hold to the Support line, a pleasant surprise!

Sometimes the first thing is the real problem! Why the 2nd cable also failed, is yet another mystery, must also have a problem.. Chopping both up!

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Answer 2

Oct 14, 2025 12:36 AM in response to George Christensen

An Update after contacting Apple Support on this problem. After some fairly obvious tries, different port, different cable, restarting both iPhone and Mac Mini, also booting into Safe mode and with a different User account, none helped, so we went on to reinstalling the MacOS, Tahoe. Again, no help, but the ticket is open, needs to be escalated, but my free time ran out, so we'll see when I can get back in touch, continue the chase...

I think there were 3 different support folks on the chat at various times, I see I do have AppleCare on both the Mini & the iPhone, so that helps, for sure... One said they had other cases, same or similar, so maybe by the time I get back it can be sorted... Whew... It's been years since I messed with Safe Mode, or adding a test account.. New old worlds..

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