How to prevent Lightroom Classic from importing images from connected phone

[Robert Ripps]

Upgraded computer and installed latest version of Lightroom Classic (12.4), and the first time I plugged in my phone to the computer, the Lightroom import dialog boxed opened. Previously I was able to disable that from happening when I tethered the phone, but now I can’t remember how I did it, nor can I find an easy setting in Lightroom to stop it.

Running macOS Ventura.

Thanks.

[johnrellis]

Uncheck the option Preferences > General > Show Import Dialog When A Memory Card Is Detected.

[Robert Ripps]

Yes, but won't that also stop Lightroom from launching that import dialog box when I do insert a memory card, which I want? Previously there was a way to separate those two "import" activities, disabling one without disabling the other.

[Ian Lyons]

If you open 'Apple Image Capture' with your iPhone connected, choose the 3-dot menu, then select 'No application'. The attached screenshot may also help.

[johnrellis]

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"won't that also stop Lightroom from launching that import dialog box when I do insert a memory card, which I want?"

Yes.

"Previously there was a way to separate those two "import" activities, disabling one without disabling the other."

There isn't (and hasn't been) any option in LR that would give you per-device control like that.

I googled a bit to see if Mac OS gives you that control, but didn't find anything. The Image Capture app lets you specify another app to open when you plugin in a device, but at least in my experiments, it doesn't have any effect on LR:

Perhaps someone else knows better.

[Robert Ripps]

Thanks Ian & John. I have Image Capture set to open when iPhone is connected, and it does, but now Lightroom also opens & tries to import. On my older Mac with older  macOS that did not happen- I was able to set something somewhere to only have Image Capture open when phone is attached, but I set it maybe 7 years ago, so I can’t remember what I did then.

[johnrellis]

"now Lightroom also opens & tries to import"

If LR isn't running when you connect your phone, does it start?

On my Mac, when LR isn't running and I connect, LR doesn't start. It only opens the Import window if it was running before I connect the phone.

[JohanElzenga]

The Image Capture setting is for auto-launching an application. I don't think it stops Lightroom from showing the import dialog if Lightroom is already running and the preference to show the import dialog when a memorycard is detected is checked. Lightroom should not auto launch when you connect your iPhone, however.

[Robert Ripps · Accepted solution]

Correct, I quit Lightroom, attached phone, and only Image Capture launched. But, still seems no way to tell LR not to try to download from phone, which I previously was able to do...

[JohanElzenga]

Correct, I quit Lightroom, attached phone, and only Image Capture launched. But, still seems no way to tell LR not to try to download from phone, which I previouly was able to do...

By @Robert Ripps

That is what happens on my computer too if I keep the option checked to show the import dialog when a memory card is detected. I am not sure if it ever was different, except if I turn off that option.

[DdeGannes]

@Robert Ripps , Just a thought when you changed the preferences in LrC did you exit the application and reboot for the new setting to take effect?

[Robert Ripps]

I did not change any settings for importing in LRC- I left it checked to show import dialog box when a memory card is detected, as I need that functionality. I guess I could uncheck it, but then I would manually have to tell LRC to import from camera memory card each time. Hard to know what is less of a hassle…

[johnrellis]

"I am not sure if it ever was different, except if I turn off that option."

I don't recall ever seeing or hearing that LR treated Iphones differently than memory cards or disks. In general, when any such device is newly mounted by the operating system, LR has always opened the Import window when you've enabled the option Show Import Dialog When A Memory Card Is Detected.