"Trying to import photos from my iPhone 12 to my new iMac. It freezes on 'preparing to import photos from iPhone'. How do I proceed?"
- from Apple Community
Are you also facing difficulties in importing photos from your iPhone to a computer, just like this user? If you are worried about the issue of "preparing to import from iPhone", don't worry. In this article, we will share some troubleshooting steps to help you smoothly import photos. Let's take a look at how to solve this problem!
While transferring pictures from an iPhone to a Mac computer, you may get a "preparing to import from iPhone" message that can persist. Here are the reasons:
1. Connection issues
Usually, connection issues arise when a Mac computer cannot detect your iPhone, meaning that the procedure of importing the pictures can't continue. There could be various underlying reasons why your Mac cannot recognize your iPhone. For instance, the iPhone device doesn't trust the Mac, the USB you are using has problems, the port isn't working properly, or the computer cannot update iPhone drivers.
2. The iCloud Photo Library is enabled
If the photo library in iCloud is turned on, it implies that the synced pictures need a strong and stable internet connection, which may slow down the transfer process. Besides, it implies you are trying to migrate photos to iCloud instead of iPhone.
3. Software update issues
If your phone or computer runs on outdated versions, it can lead to such errors. This is mainly because the devices aren't functioning as they should, which may lead to compatibility issues. Updating the iOS and MacOS may be a better way to close those loopholes that result in errors like photos preparing to import from iPhone.
4. Importing multiple pictures at once
Transferring many pictures at once will undoubtedly make the transfer process to be longer. While moving pictures, more time is needed, and you may get stuck on the error message "preparing to import from iPhone". Moreover, the transfer method you choose may also cause delays. The procedure will be slow if you use Bluetooth to transfer your pictures.
These are just some of the many reasons you may encounter preparing to import from iPhone for too long. However, in the next section, you will learn how to fix it.
If you are moving pictures from an iPhone to a Mac, you may encounter preparing to import from an iPhone too long, this disturbing error. Luckily, we have what you have just been looking for: the best fixes to solve the problem. Let's look into each one of them in detail.
Switching off the iCloud Photos feature will prevent interference while moving your photos. Any procedure for syncing pictures with a stronger internet connection is stopped. (iCloud photos are not syncing on iPhone/iPad/Mac?)
Here are steps to disable iCloud sync:
Step 1. Click on your iPhone's Settings app to get to the settings page. Click on the Apple ID and proceed to the Photos option.
Step 2. Now toggle off the iCloud Photos feature. Doing this will halt syncing of the iCloud Photos.
A simple restart is known to clear the device's memory and fix the glitches available in the memory. Moreover, it clears any caches, programs, or logs, preventing it from operating as expected.
It is very simple to restart a Mac computer since they are all of the same make. But, since iPhones come in different models, each model uses a different reboot step.
To reboot a Mac computer, choose the Apple Menu option, tap Restart, and wait as it turns off and on its own.
iPhone 8 and newer models:
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
iPhone 6 or earlier models:
If you are stuck preparing to import from an iPhone error, it could be due to a connection error. Sometimes, connection errors happen because of the location and privacy settings. So, resetting them can help solve the problem. Here is what to do:
Step 1. Head to Settings, then to General, and choose Reset.
Step 2. Choose the Reset Location & Privacy option, and that's it.
The issue should be resolved. If not, try the next fix.
Photos stuck on preparing to import from iPhone? Enabling the Trust function on your phone allows Mac to access all files available on the iPhone and move photos conveniently. If it is your first time connecting the iPhone to the Mac or you don't connect the two regularly, then you must check if the Trust function is enabled.
To confirm that, just link the iPhone to the Mac with a USB; if you see the Trust This Computer pop-up, you have not trusted the computer.
Simply tap on the Trust option on your iPhone, and you are good to go.
If you cannot import pictures from iPhone to Mac, there is a high chance you are uploading hundreds of them at once. So, a viable option is to choose only a fraction of the pictures to be imported to your Mac at a time to make the import task easier.
Undoubtedly, the operating systems are to blame here because an outdated system version will surely give you problems, such as Mac photos preparing to import from iPhone now and then.
To update your device's operating system, follow these steps:
Step 1. Plug the iPhone into a power source if it doesn't have enough charge. Afterward, head to Settings and hit the General option.
Step 2. Now select Software Update and see if a new update is available for your iPhone. Click on Download and Install. (iPhone stuck on software update?)
Step 1. Select the System Preferences option for the Apple menu.
Step 2. Click on Software Update, then select Update Now.
Doing this will help update any available latest OS on your computer.
Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a powerful software that you can use to import photos from an iPhone to a Windows/Mac computer. It can help you move all pictures from an iPhone to a Mac in just a click. Not just photos, but this software can import files such as contacts, messages, notes, and more to a Mac computer without much hassle.
It streamlines the transfer processes no matter the number of photos you have on your iPhone. You can transfer all of them directly in minutes after preview. Moreover, there is no quality loss after transferring your pictures.
Key Features:
Here is how to use Coolmuster iOS Assistant and avoid the "preparing to import from iPhone" issue:
01Download the right version of the iOS Assistant software on your Mac. Launch it and connect the iPhone using a USB cable. The software will recognize your iPhone and a pop-up will appear on the Mac. Press Trust on the iPhone and hit Continue to proceed.
02After recognizing the phone, you'll see all files displayed on the screen in different folders.
03Click on the Photos folder on the left panel, then preview more information on the right. While doing this, choose those pictures you wish to move to your Mac. After that, tap the Export button, select the file output format, and start the transfer procedure.
Video Tutorial:
Transferring pictures from an iPhone to a Mac is always smooth, but sometimes the process can get stuck. From this guide, you know why it may happen and possible fixes. Even though these methods can help, we recommend using Coolmuster iOS Assistant to import your photos from iPhone to Mac and avoid photo stuck on preparing to import issues.
Related Articles:
[Solved] How to Fix Photos Not Importing from iPhone to Mac Issue
How to Fix the iPhone Transferring Data Stuck Issue Effortlessly? 14 Quick Tricks Here
Can't Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC? [Reasons & Solutions]
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