7 Methods to Solve Image Capture Not Working or Recognizing on Mac

Jenefey Aaron Jenefey Aaron
Aug 13, 2021 (Updated: Dec 11, 2022)Filed to: Solution

“The operation couldn't be completed. Import error (-9912). An error occurred while importing.” When you connect an iPhone to your MacBook, you might find Image Capture not working or recognizing. Image Capture is an app to transfer images and video clips from various cameras, iOS devices, iPadOS devices, and other devices with cameras to Mac.

When Image Capture does not recognize iPhone, or cannot show all your photos, how to fix Image Capture when it is not working? The article shares 7 verified methods to fix the problem. Just learn more details according to your situation and find a suitable solution accordingly.

7 Efficient Methods to Fix Image Capture Not Working

Method 1. Connect the iPhone to Your MacBook

Just have another check for the connection between iPhone and MacBook. If possible, you can unplug the USB cable and re-plug it to the two devices again to fix the Image Capture not working. Once you have de-activated the port on your MacBook, you can re-activate it again to resolve the issue.

Connect iPhone to Mac

Method 2. Update macOS to the Latest Version

Another reason might be the outdated macOS is not compatible with your iPhone. You should update the macOS to the latest version to fix the Image Capture not working.

Step 1.Open the System Preferences in the Applications app of your MacBook. After that, you can click the "Software Update" button.

Step 2.It might take a few seconds to detect the latest macOS. You can click the "Update Now" button to install the latest version.

Step 3.Once the installation is completed, you can connect your iPhone to your Mac to launch the Image Capture again.

Macos Mojave Update

Method 3. Trust This Computer in Your iPhone

iTunes plays a universal authentication role for transferring data from iPhone to Mac, thus the reason why Image Capture cannot work may be related to unsuccessful trust in iTunes.

Step 1.Unplug your USB cable from your iPhone, and then plug it back to the iPhone again after several minutes.

Step 2.When you launch iTunes in the Applications app of your MacBook, there is a "Trust This Computer" popup alert box on your iPhone. Tap the Trust option on your iPhone.

Step 3.Then you can launch Image Capture on your MacBook again to fix the Image Capture not recognizing issues.

Trust This Computer

Method 4. Disable the Optimize iPhone Storage Option

If you have already enabled the Optimize iPhone Storage option on your iPhone, your photos will be saved in iCloud instead of iPhone. It is not the reason that Image Capture not showing all photos.

Step 1.Go to the "Settings" app on your iPhone. Tap your name to go to the iCloud account and tap "Photos".

Step 2.Turn on "iCloud Photo Library" toggle button. Then the "Optimize iPhone Storage" option will be disabled automatically.

Step 3.After that, you can tap "Download Photos & Videos". Connect the iPhone to your MacBook again to find whether Image Capture works now.

Disable iCloud Photo Library

Method 5. Delete the Image Capture Preferences Files

If your Mac cannot recognize the iPhone, misconfiguration might be another reason you can consider. Thus you can delete reset preferences files with the following steps to fix Image Capture not working.

Step 1.Open a Finder window on your Mac in your applications and go to /Library/Preferences/directory.

Step 2.Delete the files in the directory folder related to Image Capture, or move them to the desktop.

Step 3.Restart your MacBook and reconnect your iPhone, then launch the Image Capture app again to find whether it works.

Delete Preference Files

Method 6. Enable My Photo Stream on Your iPhone

My Photo Stream is another method to upload new photos from the past 30 days to view on other devices. This method may also solve the problem of Image Capture not showing.

Step 1.Go to the "Settings" app on your iPhone and go to the iCloud account.

Step 2.Tap "Photos" and turn on "My Photo Stream".

Step 3.Reconnect your iPhone to Mac to check whether Image Capture recognizes.

Turn on My Photo Stream

Method 7. Turn off iPhone and Turn it Back On

Just turn off your iPhone and turn it back on again while keeping your iPhone plugged in. The non-working Image Capture will detect your iPhone because you re-enter the password. At this time, Image Capture may recognize your iPhone successfully and show all photos.

How to Solve Image Capture Not Showing All Photos

What should you do if Image Capture for Mac still not showing all photos? If you cannot transfer the photos or videos from iPhone, AnyRec Screen Recorder is one of the best alternatives to capture the photos and videos from your iPhone. It also enables you to edit the screenshots, add annotation/shape/watermark, and more.

anyrec screen recorder product box
Image Capture Alternative

Capture images, videos and audio files when Image Capture not working.

Cut out the desired part of the capture videos or screenshot as required.

Add annotations, callouts, shapes, watermarks, and more other elements.

Customize the frame rate, resolution, video codec, photo format, and more.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

Step 1.Download and install AnyRec Screen Recorder for Mac, you can launch the program and click "Snapshot" to directly make a snapshot for the photos not showing in Image Capture.

screen capture

Step 2.Then you can set the screenshot area to capture the photos not showing in Image Capture. You can add annotations, shapes, and watermarks in different fonts and colors.

edit mac screenshot

Step 3.If you need to customize the photos, click "Output" to tweak the different settings. Or you can change output screenshot format from the drop-down list directly.

adjust screenshot format

Step 4.Once you have already captured the missing photos, you can go to the "Recording History" to view the capture images on your iPhone or digital camera.

manage with recording history

FAQs about Image Capture Not Working

Conclusion

Here are the 7 most frequently used methods to fix Image Capture not working. Just follow the steps to find whether it works. If you still cannot get suitable troubleshooting, you can choose AnyRec Screen Recorder to take a snapshot or capture videos accordingly.

Free Download

100% Secure

Free Download

100% Secure

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