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Can't import photos from iPhone on Mac OS when I connect it for the second time

I have Dropbox (now version 233.4.4938) as an app on macOS Tahoe 26.0.1, but the issue has persisted across many versions.

I regularly want to upload new photos from my iPhone SE, now version iOS 18.6.2. When I enable Camera Uploads (under Preferences > Backups), the first time I connect my iPhone any new photos do get uploaded as intended. But on the second and any subsequent connections, an annoying popup appears, stating, Can’t import photos from this device. I need to disconnect my phone, turn Camera Uploads off and on again, and reconnect my phone, to get new photos uploaded. But most of the time there are no new photos anyway, I just want to connect my phone. The annoying thing about this popup is that it quite large and remains on top until I click it away, so I cannot just ignore it. Is there a way (that does not cost money) to avoid this while remaining able to upload photos?

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Accepted answers

Berke Mert

After unchecking Removable Volumes all uploading appeared to have stopped, but after checking it back and restarting Dropbox my problem seems to have been solved.

All comments

Hannah

Perfect, thanks for keeping us updated, @Berke Mert!

I'm happy to see that the issue seems to be resolved and if you come across any other issues or if it returns, let us know.

Have a great day!

Berke Mert

After unchecking Removable Volumes all uploading appeared to have stopped, but after checking it back and restarting Dropbox my problem seems to have been solved.

Hannah

Hey @Berke Mert, I think Megan was referring to the following steps:

Open System Preferences.
Click Security and Privacy.
Click the Privacy tab.
Click Files and Folders.
Uncheck the box next to Removable Volumes under Dropbox.

Can you try them and let us know what happens?

As for you @kooho, did you mean to post on this thread? Because I see that you have an ongoing thread here.

Make sure to reply to that one, to continue troubleshooting your issue there.

kooho

Reinstalled, but the problem persists.

Berke Mert

If this refers to a notification that I should see that says “Dropbox would like to access files on a removable volume”, at no point does such a notification appear.

Megan

Hey @Berke Mert!

Let's try one more thing. Can you follow the steps mentioned here under the second section for "Dropbox would like to access files on a removable volume" and uncheck the box?

I'd love to know if that changes things at all.

Berke Mert

The issue manifested itself early this year, immediately after I migrated from a MacBook Air running macOS Catalina to a MacBook using macOS Sequoia.

Here is a screenshot of the pop-up message (in dark mode):

Megan

Hey @Berke Mert!

When did you first notice this behavior? If you could also send me a screenshot of the pop-up message that you mentioned I'd appreciate it, in order for me to have a visual.

Thanks!

Berke Mert

Reinstalled, but the problem persists.

Jay

Thanks for the info, could you try reinstalling the Dropbox desktop application, without uninstalling it first, by using this link?

Berke Mert

I get the pop-up both when the phone is locked and unlocked at the time of connection, but not when it has gone from unlocked to auto-locked after a long period of inactivity.

Jay

Hi @Berke Mert, thanks for providing these details!

When you connect your phone to the computer, is the screen unlocked at the time of the connection?

This will help me to assist further!