Move photos and videos from your iPhone to your Mac

Why it happens

Your Mac only sees an iPhone's photos when the phone is connected, unlocked and trusts the Mac. Photos then lists the iPhone in its sidebar so you can import. iCloud Photos does the same job without a cable, but it keeps your whole library in iCloud, so it needs enough iCloud storage.

How to fix it

1. Connect your iPhone to the Mac with a cable that carries data, not just a charging cable.

2. Unlock your iPhone. If it asks whether to trust this computer, tap Trust and enter your passcode. If your Mac asks to allow the accessory, click Allow.

3. Open Photos on your Mac and click your iPhone under Devices in the sidebar.

   Photos›Devices›iPhone

4. Click Import All New Items, or select the photos you want and click the button to import just those.

5. Keep the iPhone connected and unlocked until the import finishes. Your photos then appear in your library, and the latest batch is under Imports.

Still not fixed?

1. If the iPhone doesn't appear, try another cable and another port, and check the iPhone is unlocked. Also look for it in the Finder sidebar.

2. To go wireless, turn on iCloud Photos on both, signed in to the same Apple Account. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos, and turn on Sync this iPhone. On your Mac, turn on Sync this Mac.

   Apple Account›iCloud›Photos›Sync this Mac

3. iCloud Photos stores your whole library in iCloud, so it needs enough iCloud storage. The free 5 GB is often too small. If your iCloud storage is full, use the cable import above instead, or buy more storage.

4. If photos you know are on the iPhone don't show for import, iCloud Photos is probably keeping the originals in iCloud. Turn on iCloud Photos on your Mac too, and they arrive there.

5. If you see 'some items couldn't be imported', check your Mac has enough free space in Storage settings and try importing in smaller batches.

   General›Storage

6. For a few photos, AirDrop is quickest. On the iPhone, select them, tap the Share button and choose AirDrop, then pick your Mac.

7. If your Mac never sees the iPhone with any cable, contact Apple Support. The iPhone's port or the Mac's port may need checking.