Image Capture app is seriously need of fixing/updates

Does trashing and resetting Image Capture preferences help? Move them to the Desktop (just in case), reboot, and try again:.

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Image_Capture.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.imagecapture.plist

Some other things to try:

Uninstall VPN and 3rd party virus apps (macOS security is all you need). Put the iPhone in Airplane mode before plugging in the USB cable (maybe also turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Hotspot). Reset iPhone's Network settings.

An EtreCheck report would eliminate much guesswork:

How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

Have you tried connecting you iPhone to your Mac via USB cable and importing them into a Photos library? Does that work?

If it does you can then export the originals. from the library to wherever for storage in your storage system. Then delete the library and start over again with you next want too download the photos.

Personally I have never had problems importing via USB with Image Capture.

But for some reason other users have, and below is a collection of voodoo that has been suggested to fix it:

...

Something you might try fix the failure in importing images from an iPhone via USB:

Make sure that your computer has the latest possible version of macOS (or the latest version of iTunes in Mojave and earlier). Sometimes macOS will prompt for a minor related update needed for mobile device connections so let it do it.

Restart (or power OFF for 2 minutes) both Mac and iPhone (maybe also force close all iPhone apps before doing so).

Clean the iPhone Lightning/USB-C port from pocket lint.

Reset Image Capture preferences. Move them to the Desktop (just in case), reboot, and try again:

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Image_Capture.plist

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.imagecapture.plist

-> Put the iPhone in Airplane mode before plugging in the USB cable (maybe also turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Hotspot).

Uninstall VPN.

-> Reset iPhone's Network settings.

Import with /Application/Image Capture.app instead straight to Photos.app. If that does not work, plug in the iPhone, open Image Capture, click the three dots in the top right, and select "No application" when connecting this iPhone, close Image Capture, unplug and re-plug iPhone, and launch Image Capture.

Change your settings for trusted computers. Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.

About the 'Trust This Computer' alert message on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

[...]

Un-plug the USB cable from the Mac (while the iPhone is connected to the Lightning cable end) and re-insert the USB end into the Mac.

Keep the phone plugged to USB and reboot the Mac.

If using an USB-C to USB-A adapter connect the adaptor first and then connect the iPhone.

Connect to the Mac's USB-A inputs, not Thunderbolt USB-C inputs.

Turn off iCloud Photos in iPhone settings.

[...]

Remove all 3rd party virus apps (Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, Intego, MacAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, ESET NOD32, Trusteer, PC Matic etc) and 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up" apps (CleanMyMac, Cleaner One, MacKeeper etc). They produce obscure errors like this and are not needed (MalwareBytes and AppCleaner are exceptions but should be used manually and cautiously).

If all else fails, use AirDrop instead USB.

Matti Haveri wrote: … Personally I have never had problems importing via USB with Image Capture.

But for some reason other users have, and below is a collection of voodoo that has been suggested

I never thought the cable thing was at all intuitive or convenient. It may be because the innards of a Photos Library are very complex, and there are so many ways cable transfer can bypass Photos' control. Like Matti, though, I never had the sort of problems we see here.I tried using iMazing for a while, but then they seemed to be in control and charging too much for it. So I use iCloud which also charges money, but which does more and works better.

You should add "change cables and/or cable adapters" to your voodoo list. I have a habit of buying the cheap cable, thinking they're all alike--no no no! I've run into so many bad cables, and there are lots of USBc cables out there that transfer power but not data-- and they look pretty much the same as real cables.

I just tried downloading a couple of videos (.mov) and some images (various types) with Image Capture from my iPhone 12 to my Mac Mini M4 and the download was nearly instantaneous. However it was only a couple of videos and maybe about 12 images.

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

indigosixalpha wrote: … I've always had issues doing photo dumps from my iPhone to my Mac. Using the latest and greatest Mac and iPhone, all fully updated, for years up until now, I've had issues

Honestly, it will only get worse. Plugging your phone in with a cable is like trying to make long distance phone calls with a dial phone-- it used to work just fine, or it seemed to at the time. Just like switching to "touch-tone" fixes lots of problems.

Apple has converted to using iCloud to synchronize pictures among devices, and my guess (it's only a guess, of course) is that they will pay less and less attention to making cable transfers simple, when there is already the simplest of systems available.