my imac no longer recognises my device when i plug in my iphone

[wave]

In fact photos has suddenly stopped recognising my iphone 4 even exists anymore, and my mac used to automatically open the (i)photos application but now all of sudden for a reason that escapes me it doesn't. Itunes still recognises it. Any ideas why? I wan to import some new photos from my iphone. Thanks.

( ps its running os x el capitan and is a late 2009 imac)

 

[chscag]

I suspect your iPhone 4 is too old and no longer works with the version of Photos that you have. Try transferring the photos on your iPhone 4 using the Image Capture app that you have on your 2009 iMac. Plug the iPhone 4 to your iMac and then open Image Capture.

 

[wave]

I suspect your iPhone 4 is too old and no longer works with the version of Photos that you have. Try transferring the photos on your iPhone 4 using the Image Capture app that you have on your 2009 iMac. Plug the iPhone 4 to your iMac and then open Image Capture.

I'd never seen that image capture app before its amazingly limited and doesn't recognise my iphone and I haven't updated photos or my osx so I don't see why it would suddenly today stop recognising my iphone today.

 

[chscag]

Well obviously something had to change if your iPhone 4 was being recognized by Photos and now it isn't? Do you still have the iPhoto app on your iMac? Also, Image Capture is quite capable of importing photos from your iPhone. Once they're imported you can edit them with your Photos app or iPhotos app.

 

[Rod]

I dont know if you turn your iPhone off very often but it may well be worth powering it off then back on again befor trying Photos again. Altenatively a "soft" reset, hold the sleep/wake button and the home button for about 10 secs until you see the Apple logo then it will restart. Try Photos/Image Capture again.
Yes, Image Capture is basic but it's purpose is to transfer pictures from any device to your computer, no more and as such it does that job very well.

 

[IWT]

@wave

Image Capture does quite a bit apart from importing photos - scanning for instance. So, it's not "amazingly limited". Just in case, through your lack of familiarity with this app, I've included articles on how to use it along with its various functions - I mean no offence in doing this. Only trying to help.

BTW, when you say Image Capture doesn't recognise your iPhone 4 - it behaves slightly differently from when you connect to Photos. You have to click on the iPhone icon which appears on the left side and that will open up all your photos on the phone.



https://www.macworld.com/article/1143001/photography/imagecapture-tricks.html
http://web.simmons.edu/~gslislab/howto/image_capture.pdf
https://www.maketecheasier.com/macos-image-capture/

Ian

 

[wave]

Strange I plugged my iphone in just now and photos opened up as normal and I imported the photos no probs (a few days ago was having some probs importing) also I checked the image capture app and my iphone was recognised there as well, so apart from turning it off last night as usual I have done nothing to affect this, as far as I'm aware. Maybe the old turn it off and turn it on again trick works even with apple products. In any case thanks for the help.

 

[IWT]

Well, there you are. In the lap of the gods.

I'm glad it's resolved.

Do come back if you need help with anything else.

Ian