Skip to main content
K
ko157F
Participant
November 5, 2025
Answered

MacOs Tahoe, MacOS 26 lightroom classic tethered capture not work

  • November 5, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 279 views

MacOs Tahoe, MacOS 26 open lightroom classic tethered capture not work

my lightroom clasic 15.0 to nikon camera

Correct answer Anshul_Saini

Hi @marjee36087345,

 

Thanks for confirming you’re on macOS 26 (Tahoe) and using a Nikon D850.

 

To move this forward, please share your Lightroom Classic System Info:

• In Lightroom Classic, go to Help > System Info
• Copy and paste the full text here

Also, please confirm:

• Are you using any specific lens when tethering with the D850?
• Have you already tried the troubleshooting steps here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/troubleshoot-tethered-capture-lightroom.html
• And the setup guide here:https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/import-photos-tethered-camera.html

 

If those did not help, please try this macOS permission reset workflow:

• Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access
• Remove Lightroom Classic from the list
• Go to Privacy & Security > Files and Folders
• Remove Lightroom Classic there as well
• Restart your Mac

 

After restart:

• Launch Lightroom Classic
• Try tethering again and see if macOS prompts for folder/device access

If it does not prompt:

• Go back to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders
• Manually add Lightroom Classic
• Ensure Removable Volumes is toggled ON (along with other folder permissions)
• Restart again and test

 

Once you share the System Info, I can review your exact build and provide more guidance.

 

Regards,
Anshul Saini

4 replies

D
daniel24813143dilc
Participating Frequently
May 15, 2026

This is what worked for me, specially number 2 and 1

 

1. Hardware Preparation (The "PTP Mode" Trick)

  • REMOVE ALL Memory Cards: Physically eject the SD and XQD/CFexpress cards. This forces the camera into a pure PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) mode and prevents macOS from trying to mount the camera as an external drive, which often blocks Lightroom's access.

  • Battery Level: Ensure the battery is above 60%. Nikon cameras may disable the USB data bus if the battery is low.

2. macOS Security & Privacy (The "Gatekeeper" Fix)

Apple Silicon Macs have extremely strict peripheral permissions. You must manually grant these:

  • Accessibility: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. Click the (+) button and manually add Adobe Lightroom Classic. Ensure the toggle is ON.

  • Files and Folders: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders. Find Lightroom Classic and ensure the "Removable Volumes" toggle is ON. If it's missing, the Accessibility step above should trigger it.

  • Allow Accessories: In Privacy & Security, set "Allow accessories to connect" to "Always".

3. Resetting the USB Bus via Terminal

If the camera was previously recognized by Image Capture or Photos, the PTP process might be "locked." To release it, open Terminal and run: sudo killall -9 PTPCamera (Enter your Mac password when prompted; note that characters won't appear as you type).

4. Software Architecture (Rosetta 2)

Even on the latest Lightroom version (v15.3+), the Nikon SDK for older DSLR models often requires the Intel translation layer to communicate properly:

  1. Open the Creative Cloud Desktop app.

  2. Go to the All Apps section and find Lightroom Classic.

  3. Click the three dots (...) and select "Open (Intel)" or go to Get Info on the LrC app icon in Finder and check "Open using Rosetta".

5. Final Connection Sequence

  1. Turn the camera OFF and connect the USB cable.

  2. Launch Lightroom Classic.

  3. Go to File > Tethered Capture > Start.

  4. ONLY THEN turn the camera ON.

If it still doesn't show up immediately, press the Shutter button halfway or the Playback (Play) button to "wake up" the USB bus.

 

 

marjee36087345
marjee36087345
Participating Frequently
January 29, 2026

I have the same problem, everything is updated and it does not work with Nikon d850

    Anshul_Saini
    Community Manager
    Anshul_SainiCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    February 23, 2026

    Hi @marjee36087345,

     

    Thanks for confirming you’re on macOS 26 (Tahoe) and using a Nikon D850.

     

    To move this forward, please share your Lightroom Classic System Info:

    • In Lightroom Classic, go to Help > System Info
    • Copy and paste the full text here

    Also, please confirm:

    • Are you using any specific lens when tethering with the D850?
    • Have you already tried the troubleshooting steps here:
    https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/troubleshoot-tethered-capture-lightroom.html
    • And the setup guide here:https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/import-photos-tethered-camera.html

     

    If those did not help, please try this macOS permission reset workflow:

    • Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access
    • Remove Lightroom Classic from the list
    • Go to Privacy & Security > Files and Folders
    • Remove Lightroom Classic there as well
    • Restart your Mac

     

    After restart:

    • Launch Lightroom Classic
    • Try tethering again and see if macOS prompts for folder/device access

    If it does not prompt:

    • Go back to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Files and Folders
    • Manually add Lightroom Classic
    • Ensure Removable Volumes is toggled ON (along with other folder permissions)
    • Restart again and test

     

    Once you share the System Info, I can review your exact build and provide more guidance.

     

    Regards,
    Anshul Saini

      marjee36087345
      marjee36087345
      Participating Frequently
      April 13, 2026

      Lightroom Classic version: 15.2.1 [ 202603161217-0bf813d9 ]
      License: Creative Cloud
      Language setting: en-GB
      Operating system: Mac OS 26
      Version: 26.3.1 [25D2128]
      Application architecture: arm64
      Logical processor count: 12
      Processor speed: NA
      SqLite Version: 3.36.0
      Adobe GSDK Version: 1.4.0.212

      Power Source: Plugged In, 62%, Charging
      Built-in memory: 16 384,0 MB
      Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 73,2MB / 12 124,1MB (0%)
      Real memory available to Lightroom: 16 384,0 MB
      Real memory used by Lightroom: 268,2 MB (1,6%)
      Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 427 075,4 MB
      Memory cache size: 0,0MB
      Internal Camera Raw version: 18.2.2 [ 2512 ]
      Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
      Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2
      Camera Raw virtual memory: 0MB / 8191MB (0%)
      Camera Raw real memory: 2MB / 16384MB (0%)

      Cache1: 
      NT- RAM:0,0MB, VRAM:0,0MB, Combined:0,0MB

      Cache2: 
      m:0,0MB, n:0,0MB

      U-main: 71,0MB

      Standard Preview Size: 3456 pixels
      Displays: 1) 3456x2234

      Graphics Processor Info: 
      Metal: Apple M2 Pro
      Init State: GPU for Export supported by default
      User Preference: Auto
      Enable HDR in Library: OFF
      GPU for Preview Generation: Off (S5_11)

      Application folder: /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic
      Library Path: /Users/marjeeelma/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog-v13-3.lrcat
      Settings Folder: /Users/marjeeelma/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom

      Installed Plugins: 
      1) AdobeStock
      2) Aperture/iPhoto Importer Plug-in
      3) Flickr

      Config.lua flags: 

      K
      ko157FAuthor
      Participant
      November 6, 2025

      z8 ,D850 not work

      Ian Lyons
      Community Expert
      Ian LyonsCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 5, 2025

      @ko157F 

      You have indicated that the camera is a Nikon, but given no information on the specific model (e.g Z6, Z8, etc) Please provide the exact camera model. Without this information we can't check whether the camera even has tether support.

      K
      ko157FAuthor
      Participant
      November 6, 2025

      z8, D850 not work

      A
      Community Manager
      AlekeCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      November 14, 2025

      Hi @ko157F
      Just checking in to see if you're still running into that issue. Let me know when you get a chance!
      Thanks so much,
      Alek

      *(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices