If Image Capture isn’t working on your Mac, it usually can’t see your iPhone, camera or scanner. Unlock your iPhone, tap Trust when it asks whether to trust the computer, and use a cable that supports data. If the device still doesn’t appear in Image Capture’s sidebar, quit and reopen Image Capture, try a different USB port or adapter, restart both devices, and make sure iCloud Photos with Optimize iPhone Storage isn’t hiding photos that are only in iCloud.
Below are the fixes in order, including what to do when photos are missing, imports fail, or a scanner isn’t detected.
1. Check the basics
- Unlock your iPhone or iPad and keep it on the Home Screen while connected.
- If the Trust This Computer? message appears, tap Trust and enter your passcode.
- Use an Apple cable or a certified cable that supports data. Charge-only cables don’t work.
- Connect directly to the Mac instead of through a hub or monitor.
- Quit Image Capture with Command + Q and open it again.
2. Restart the Mac and the device
Restarting clears stuck connections. Restart the Mac from the Apple menu, and restart the iPhone, camera or scanner, then reconnect.
3. Reset Trust settings on iPhone
If you tapped Don’t Trust earlier, the Mac won’t see your photos. On the iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. Reconnect and tap Trust when asked. This also resets app location and privacy permissions.
4. Photos are missing in Image Capture
- iCloud Photos with Optimize Storage: Full-size photos stored only in iCloud don’t appear. Download them on the iPhone first, or get them from Photos on your Mac or iCloud.com.
- Hidden or Recently Deleted photos: These may not show. Unhide photos in the Photos app first.
- Large libraries: Image Capture can take a while to load thousands of photos. Give it time before assuming it’s stuck.
5. Imports fail or stop partway
- Check free space on your Mac in System Settings > General > Storage.
- Choose a different Import To folder, such as a new folder on your Desktop, at the bottom of Image Capture.
- Import smaller batches instead of everything at once.
- For HEIC photos, on the iPhone go to Settings > Apps > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC and try Keep Originals or Automatic.
6. Scanner not detected
- Make sure the scanner is on and connected by USB or the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check System Settings > Printers & Scanners and add the scanner if it isn’t listed.
- Install the latest software from the scanner maker if Image Capture can’t use the built-in driver.
7. Update macOS and iOS
Image Capture uses system components that are updated with macOS. Install updates from System Settings > General > Software Update, and update the iPhone too.
Alternatives to Image Capture
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Photos app on Mac | Importing into your photo library |
| AirDrop | A few photos without a cable |
| iCloud Photos | Keeping every photo synced automatically |
| Finder (iPhone in sidebar) | Syncing and backups, not photo import |
Related: back up an iPhone to an external hard drive.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Image Capture on a Mac?
Open Finder > Applications > Image Capture, or search for it with Spotlight (Command + Space).
Why does Image Capture show my iPhone but no photos?
Unlock the iPhone and wait. If photos still don’t appear, they may be in iCloud only. Turn on Download and Keep Originals or use the Photos app.
Can Image Capture delete photos after import?
Yes. Check Delete after import at the bottom of the window. Make sure the import finished before relying on it.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.