Why does import freeze when transferring files from iPhone to macOS?
The error message “Unable to Load Photo. An error occurred while loading a higher-quality version of this photo” in this context indicates a specific issue related to how photos are managed on your iPhone, particularly when involving third-party apps like Viber. When you import photos from applications such as Viber, they can be stored in iCloud Photo Library if iCloud Photos is enabled, with the device keeping only a lower-quality preview for quick access. Deleting the source application (Viber, in this case) doesn’t remove these imported photos from your gallery, but if these photos were not fully synced to iCloud or if the app handled the storage in a unique way, it could lead to issues accessing the full resolution versions later.
Here’s a step-by-step solution based on your description:
Solution to Fix the Import Issue
Identify Problematic Photos
Go through your iPhone gallery to identify any photos showing the error message. These photos are typically ones that were imported from Viber before it was deleted.
Delete Problematic Photos
Remove these photos from your gallery. This step is crucial because it eliminates the items causing the sync or import issues. Ensure that you have backups of these photos elsewhere if they are important.
Restart the Import Process
Once the problematic photos are deleted, try importing your photos again to your macOS. This should ideally be done without encountering the previous error, as the source of the problem has been removed.
Additional Tips
- Backup Before Deleting: If those photos are important, you might want to back them up to another device or cloud service before deleting them from your iPhone.
- Check iCloud Photo Library: If you’re using iCloud Photo Library, make sure that all your devices are connected to Wi-Fi and have enough battery life so they can sync properly. Sometimes, simply giving it some time or restarting the device can help complete any pending uploads or downloads to iCloud.
- Use Alternative Transfer Methods: If you continue to face issues or if there are other photos with similar problems, consider using alternative methods to transfer photos, such as AirDrop, emailing them to yourself, or using file transfer services like Dropbox or Google Drive as a temporary workaround.
This approach directly addresses the issue by removing the problematic elements that are preventing a successful import, thereby allowing you to proceed with importing the rest of your photos without errors.
