No longer detecting cameras in the Add Photos dialog

[Liam Coleman]

Hello. As of recently, LrD 7.5 (running on a Macbook Air using MacOS 14.6.1) no longer recognizes and cannot import photos directly from cameras. I have in the past been able to click the "add photos" button when a camera is plugged in and powered on and quickly be taken to an import window, but as of recently when I click the button the camera can no longer be found even when it is plugged in and powered on. Other software, ie. Apple Photos, does still recognize the camera when LdR does not. I can apparently still import into lightroom from a memory card reader, just not directly from a camera. I wonder if a bug has been introduced in a recent LR update or a recent MacOS update has caused problems with permissions?

[Moved from ‘Bugs’ to ‘Discussions’ by moderator, according to forum rules. A ‘bug’ is not just another word for any problem with software!]

[JohanElzenga]

Is the camera visible for other apps, like the MacOS Finder? This is most likely not a Lightroom problem, but a permissions problem in MacOS or a problem with your camera settings (the camera may be set to remote operation).

[Liam Coleman]

Other apps can still detect the camera. It just seems to be Lightroom that can't.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

I tested it with a 5D MKIV on Mac 14.6.1, and it works as expected. 

Consider resetting your preferences.

This procedure works for both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Desktop.

If you are using Lightroom Desktop, it can change your local storage location. Please review this setting after resetting preferences. 

Reset Procedure:

1. Close Lightroom.

2. Hold down [Alt/Opt]+[Shift] while restarting Lightroom.

3. Overwrite the Preferences when prompted by the dialog.

4. Close Lightroom.

5. Restart Lightroom.

[Liam Coleman]

I have attempted this and it did not resolve the issue. Also, I should add that the behaviour is the same on multiple Mac computers running the same OS version.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

I have attempted with two cameras:  R5 and the 5D MKIV on two different MBP's and it is having no issue seeing the camera in the Add Photos dialog.  It also works on Windows btw...

I suspect you have an environmental issues that is local to the machines you've tried. 

Does your Image Capture app (MacOS) see the camera when connected?

[Liam Coleman]

My Mac image capture and Apple Photos both can detect the camera. It just appears to be Lr that cannot.

[JohanElzenga]

Sounds like a permission problem. Does Lightroom have 'Full Disk Access'? This is about Lightroom Classic but it applies to Lightroom as well: Quick Tips: How to give Full Disk Access to Lightroom Classic on macOS

[cssn]

I had the same problem. Turned out to be the cable connecting the camera to the computer. Switched cables and everything is back to normal.

[congahead]

I had the same issue, I found updating the firmware on the camera worked. 

[yamato7]

Does the MacOS Finder recognize the memory card?

[kevla_6532]

I'm  having this same issue.  Not detecting on two different cameras so I suspect not a firmware software issue from the camera itself.  One day it was fine the next it's not and it's so frustrating. Still not able to find an answer.  Come on @adobe do something!! 

[michael_1848]

Im suddenly having the same exact issue.  Uploaded photos no problem 2 weeks ago and today doesn't recognize my camera.  

[takahiroooooooo]

I also experienced the exact same situation. If it is caused by MacOS, I would trust the Adobe team and wait for an update.

As an additional note, Lightroom has been granted Full Disk Access privileges.

[kevla_6532]

All of a sudden Lr on my mac air has not been able to find my camera when adding photos. A new window pops up and does not detect my camera to download images from. Meaning I have to download my photos to 'photos' first and then slide across the images to Lr.  Has there been an update in August or is something else missing? Frustrating as workflow is longer. This is happening with two different cameras.  

[yamato7]

What camera are you using and what version of MacOS are you using?
Does it not recognise the camera when connected via USB cable?
Also, does the MacOS Finder recognise the memory card?

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

For those of you still having issues seeing your camera in the Add Photos dialog: 

Verify: Does the camera show with no photos, or does the camera fail to show at all? 

Additionally, please supply:

1.  Make/Model of the camera?
2. OS Version
3.  (nice to have also) A Diagnostic log as well (see below for instructions)

For LrDesktop"

Go to Preferences

Account Section

Hold down the [Opt/Alt] key to make the [Diagnostic Log] button appear.

[Liam Coleman]

Just reporting that I appear to have solved the problem on my computers at least. Granting full disk access to Lr allowed it to see and import photos from cameras as normal again, which is great. Strangely, even if I then revoked full disk access from Lr after that, it still retained access to removable volumes and kept functioning normally, which is good. I'm guessing a software update (either from Lr or MacOS) caused Lr to lose permission to access removable volumes that it previously had.

Thanks for all of the help!

[Jonathan346658872vc3]

Thanks for this.  I have recently started exepriemceing the same problem.  Camera was recognized pre-update and now no longer.  Memory card still works fine.  Have granted full access as suggested but still nothing.  The camera does show up in Apple Photos.  I'm using a Mac Studio with MacOS 14.6.1  and Lightroom ver 7.5.  THanks for your help 

[takahiroooooooo]

The camera doesn't appear at all when I press the Add Photos button.

1. FUJIFILM X-T3(The device drivers are up to date.)
2. Sonoma14.6.1
3. I have a Diagnostic Log file, but it seems that I can't upload it to this forum even if I change the extension. Is there any alternative?

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

@takahiroooooooo  Upload the diagnostic log to a shared service like Dropbox or similar and share a link. You cannot attach logs in the forum. 

[cathL_7349]

I'm having the same problems. Nikon Z6ii and Z9 running latest firmware, MacBook Pro running Sequoia 15.0 but was also having the same problem with Sonoma. Same problem with my iMac which is running whatever the latest update is (I'm not home right now so can't check).

Cameras don't show up at all in the sidebar in Lightroom, but show up fine in Apple Photos so not a connection problem. I've given Lightroom full disc access - still nada.

If I take the storage cards out of the camera, Lightroom can find and import the photos by browsing the computer.

[Jennifer_Brennan8348]

I'm having the same problems. Nikon Z6ii a, MacBook Pro running Sequoia 15.0.It was working fine until a few days ago until I updated the ios.  I also reset my LRC preferences in an attempt to fix problem but no luck.. Desperate for suggestions.  

[Joseph223161673msi]

I had the same problem with Lightroom classic not being able to see my Z9 when trying to import.  On a MacBook Pro running Sequoia 15.1.1.  Like others, Photos could see/import fine, just not lightroom.

I was able to fix the problem by giving Lightroom Classic permission to see Removable Volumes.

System Settings, Privacy & Security, Files & Folders, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Removable Volumes.

Hope this helps.

[Valerie22143406en7d]

I can't find anything that says removable volumes? I am having the same issue, it worked fine last week and today will not recognize my camera to import pictures, I'm also running Sequoia and photos sees my camera. Is there a way to move them from photos into lightroom? Anyone know?