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stskoutas
Participant
September 26, 2019
Answered

Lightroom Mobile not importing photos from iPhone Camera Roll

  • September 26, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 11762 views

I recently upgraded to iPhone 11 Pro.  Prior to this upgrade, any image taken with the default iOS camera automatically appeared in Lightroom Mobile (the iOS app), and therefore soon it appeared in Lightroom Desktop as well (Lightroom Classic).  With the new phone, in the Lightroom App under SETTINGS>IMPORT the slider is "ON" for AUTO ADD FROM CAMERA ROLL / PHOTOS.  I would expect this to be the only setting associated with my issue.

 

However, when I look at ALL PHOTOS in Lightroom Mobile, my most recent images taken with the default camera app are not there.  The most recent are from my previous phone before I upgraded.

 

I can click the ADD PHOTOS icon in the lower right and select photos from Camera Roll to bring into Lightroom, but shouldn't the behaviour be automatic given the setting above?  I want every image (and video) that I take with the default app to come over to Lightroom Mobile.  Thanks in advance.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Charlie.D

In addition to previous advice, please also check iOS Settings > Lightroom > Photos, and ensure Allow Photos Access = Read and Write.  It's possible for auto-import to fail when Auto Import is On in Lightroom app settings, and camera roll access is disabled in iOS Settings.  Maybe you restored from a backup of your old phone to the new iPhone 11, and this setting was not persisted for the sake of protecting your privacy?  I'll check with the team.

4 replies

mribando
mribando
Participating Frequently
November 2, 2021

This exact thing happened to me when I updated to IOS 15. I checked the settings and all is in order - any other ideas. I am able to add manually, but that is not preferable. Thanks!

 

C
Community Manager
Charlie.DCommunity Manager
Community Manager
November 2, 2021

Hello @mribando 
iOS Settings > Privacy > Photos > Lightroom = All Photos is enabled?

LR Settings > Import > Auto Add From Camera Roll has at least Photos enabled?

Note that Auto Add only work from the time you turn it on.  Turning it on won't add existing photos from your camera roll, but only new photos going forward.

 

Does this help?

mribando
mribando
Participating Frequently
November 3, 2021

Thanks - but yes both of those are set correctly. This was working perfectly until 10/26 - I don't know if it was the IOS 15 change or something else.

bradp37132260
bradp37132260
Participant
July 9, 2021

For me no album is required, but I have noticed that Lightroom only automatically imports new pictures from the camera roll as they are taken. Which means the Lightroom app needs to be running in the background when you take the picture. Otherwise you will need to manually import it.

C
Community Manager
Charlie.DCommunity Manager
Community Manager
July 14, 2021

When Lightroom is backgrounded, it is not importing.  When you resume Lightroom, it sees that new images were added to your camera roll and then imports them.

    C
    Community Manager
    Charlie.DCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    September 30, 2019

    In addition to previous advice, please also check iOS Settings > Lightroom > Photos, and ensure Allow Photos Access = Read and Write.  It's possible for auto-import to fail when Auto Import is On in Lightroom app settings, and camera roll access is disabled in iOS Settings.  Maybe you restored from a backup of your old phone to the new iPhone 11, and this setting was not persisted for the sake of protecting your privacy?  I'll check with the team.

      B
      beckym20665748
      Participant
      December 29, 2020

      Ahhhh Charlie - this was it!   Fixed my problem!!   Thank you 🙂 

      Michael J. Hoffman
      Community Expert
      Michael J. HoffmanCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 26, 2019

      I'm not sure if this is the right answer, but here's what works for me:

       

      After you enable the auto-add capability in settings, choose an album (I have one called "On The Go") and from the three dots menu in the list of albums, choose "Auto add from camera roll" for that album. You'll see "Auto Import" listed under the album name next to the photo count. 

      Only one album can have this option set, if you enable it on a different album it disables it for the previous one. 

      For me, the combination of:

      1. Enabling auto add as a capability in settings, and

      2. Turning the feature on for one designated album

       

      is what does the trick. 

       

        B
        beckym20665748
        Participant
        December 29, 2020

        Hi Michael

         

        I'm having the same issue as the original post.  I have added an album 'December' and have followed your suggestions above, I can now see 'Auto Import' listed under the album name.  When I click on the three white dots next to the album name and select 'add photos' / from camera roll - it still only shows 3 photos - none of the 10,000 plus photos that currently fill my iphone camera roll!

         

        Not sure what to try.    

         

        One other question - I also have LR on my Mac - can I sync the two together?  As my Mac version has all my many presets on it etc.    Thank you for your help.

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