UPDATE : the procedure outlined in this post still works for new iPhones with iOS11 and iOS12 (like the iPhone 7, 8, X, XS and XR) even though it was originally written for new iPhones running iOS10 (like the iPhone 6 and 6s)
Question :
I just got a new iPhone 7, and now I want to transfer my photos from my previous iPhone 6 onto my MacBook. I was hoping to use iCloud for this, but my MacBook is rather old and can’t run any version of OSX newer than MacOSX 10.6.8 “Snow Leopard” which doesn’t have iCloud installed, just it’s predecessor MobileMe…
What can I do ?
Answer :
Theoretically, you could also go online from your Mac and get access to your photos through the iCloud.com website… but since the latest versions of Safari, Chrome and Firefox don’t support MacOSX 10.6.8 any longer (Opera does for now, but that’s about to change also), this route is not a future-proof solution.
The most future-proof solution is using a USB-connection like this :
- on your Mac, open the Applications-folder and open the Image Capture app
- now connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB-cable
- you will get this error message [ Photos in the Camera Roll on “…” cannot be viewed or imported because the iPhone is locked with a passcode”
- click on OK
- then unlock your iPhone with your fingerprint (or type your 6-digit unlock code)
- on the iPhone you will get this message [ Trust this computer? ]
- click on Trust
- then in Image Capture, under Devices, click on iPhone
- now all the photos on your iPhone will be listed and/or displayed on your Mac
- from the pulldown list at “Import to:” select a folder to import the photos to (the default folder is your Pictures-folder, but you can also choose iPhoto or create a new folder at “Other…”)
- then select the individual photos you want to import and click on Import, or click on Import All to import all your iPhone’s photos onto your Mac
- then wait…
that’s it – enjoy 😉
MacManus.nl 
Doesn’t work for me, iMac 6,1 with OS10.6.8 and iPhone 5 IOS 10.2.1. Image Capture shows phone locked (little lock icon) despite unlocking phone. Also tried with no passcode active on phone, same result.
@Aslag :
Thanks for your feedback !
Sorry to hear this doesn’t work for you yet.
My first suggestion would be to disconnect your iPhone from your iMac, then do a reset on your iPhone by pressing the (physical) Home- and Power-buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo reappears and when the iPhone is ready reconnect it to your iMac and try again.
My second suggestion would be to try some dedicated software for file transfer between a Mac and an iPhone, but those are harder to find for OSX 10.6.8 now… you might be able to use the old version of iMazing which can be downloaded here : https://dl.devmate.com/com.DigiDNA.iMazingMac/1.5.10/1462359797/iMazingforMac-1.5.10.dmg
Hope this helps – Good Luck & enjoy 😉
iMazing doesn’t run on 10.6.8
@a / @anthony :
Thanks for your feedback.
You are absolutely right : in the good old days of MacOSX 10.6.8 Snow_Leopard iMazing used to be called DiskAid
you can still download DiskAid here :
http://www.tucows.com/preview/714859/DiskAid?q=diskaid
Hope this helps !
enjoy 😉
Same problem. Same results.
@Roy :
Thanks for the feedback.
you’re a little low on info though… can you please rephrase your question and/or be more specific on the exact problem you are encountering, so I can get the insight needed to help you ?
Thanks 😉
Photo import works with an iPhone 6s running iOS 11.4.1 on a MacPro 1,1 running 10.6.8 Snow Leopard using the Image Capture application.
@RVK Tech :
That’s right – that’s exactly what this post is about.
Thanks for the feedback !
enjoy 😉
worked great just now with my iphone 6 (ios 11.2.5) transferred to my mac pro running snow leopard. Thanks for the good info–previously, I was emailing them to myself!
@mspurlock :
Great to hear !
Thanks for the feedback !
enjoy 😉