Photos suggests new photos on iPhone that are not new and don't import

Question

Photos suggests new photos on iPhone that are not new and don't import

Hi,

For some time now Photos on my MacBook suggests some photos on my iPhone as 'New Photos' while those are not new. After doing an import with the actual new photos they are still shown as 'New Photos (20 photos)'.

When I select these photos to import, but then with 'Delete items after import' checked, nothing happens. Only the view goes to the Collection - Utilities - Imports, but the photos do not show up there.

They fail to synchronise. When I delete them on the iPhone they disappear from the New Photos in Photos on my MacBook.

What could it be?

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Mar 27, 2025 10:58 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 28, 2025 8:15 AM in response to ReindeR Rustema

ReindeR Rustema wrote: … Photos on my MacBook suggests some photos on my iPhone as 'New Photos' while those are not new.

How are you importing these? Do you use a USB cable, or is it wireless? Do you use the app Image Capture?

When I select these photos to import, but then with 'Delete items after import' checked, nothing happens. Only the view goes to the Collection - Utilities - Imports, but the photos do not show up there.

By the way, I would never, ever use "Delete after import!" I only delete things after I am sure I have a good backup.

They fail to synchronise. When I delete them on the iPhone they disappear from the New Photos in Photos on my MacBook.

What do you mean by "Synchronise?" Do you mean transfer? [My American Mac gets all upset about the spelling!]

Sometimes pictures look the same to us but not to the computer-- like if one is heic and the other is jpg, for instance. Could that be it? Can you look at the formats of the pictures?

If you haven't tried it, I would suggest using Image Capture to import the pictures-- you may get a bit of control.

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Answer 2

Mar 28, 2025 8:33 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Richard.Taylor wrote:

How are you importing these? Do you use a USB cable

Just USB cable into Photos.

By the way, I would never, ever use "Delete after import!" I only delete things after I am sure I have a good backup.

Turns out they would not import and would also not get deleted. Hence they would show up each time as 'new'.

What do you mean by "Synchronise?" Do you mean transfer?

I am sorry, yes. Importing into Photos by a transfer through the usb cable.

Sometimes pictures look the same to us but not to the computer-- like if one is heic and the other is jpg, for instance. Could that be it? Can you look at the formats of the pictures?

Different kinds. Also for example the second picture out of three taken in a row with a second inbetween. The first and third were imported properly.

If you haven't tried it, I would suggest using Image Capture to import the pictures-- you may get a bit of control.

Workaround from now on will be to transfer them with Airdrop or some other means and then delete them from the iPhone.

Luckily only one in a thousand or so pictures...

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Photos suggests new photos on iPhone that are not new and don't import

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