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Liam Coleman
Liam Coleman
Known Participant
August 26, 2024
Question

No longer detecting cameras in the Add Photos dialog

  • August 26, 2024
  • 8 replies
  • 5450 views

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!]

    8 replies

    C
    cssn
    Participant
    August 15, 2025

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

     

    G
    gregd21950564
    Participant
    March 5, 2025

    I am having the same problem with my Nikon D4.   Lightroom Classic does not detect camera.  I'm running Sequoia 15.3.1.

    Camera is detected by image capture; mac photos, adobe Photoshop.  Only Lightroom Classic is not detecting the camera.

    Seems like it must be a Ligthroom Classic bug.

    Rikk Flohr_Photography
    Community Manager
    Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    March 5, 2025

    @gregd21950564  You are posting in the wrong forum. This is a thread regarding Import in Lightroom Desktop and is unrelated to Lightroom Classic. 

    Your issue is likely that you haven't given Lightroom Classic adequate permissions via macOS to communicate with your camera.  For continued troubleshooting, I recommend you make a new post in the Lightroom Classic forum and the Community Experts and Legends will guide you in troubleshooting. 

     

    Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
    Rikk Flohr_Photography
    Community Manager
    Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 3, 2024

    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.

     

     

    Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
    C
    cathL_7349
    Participant
    September 21, 2024

    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.

    V
    Valerie22143406en7d
    Participant
    December 9, 2024

    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.


    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?

     

      K
      kevla_6532
      Participating Frequently
      August 31, 2024

      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.  

      yamato713108855
      Community Expert
      yamato713108855Community Expert
      Community Expert
      August 31, 2024

      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?

      K
      kevla_6532
      Participating Frequently
      August 31, 2024

      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!! 

      M
      michael_1848
      Participant
      September 2, 2024

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

       

      yamato713108855
      Community Expert
      yamato713108855Community Expert
      Community Expert
      August 29, 2024

      Does the MacOS Finder recognize the memory card?

      C
      congahead
      Participant
      August 28, 2024

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

       

      JohanElzenga
      Community Expert
      JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 26, 2024

      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).

       

      -- Johan W. Elzenga
      Liam Coleman
      Liam ColemanAuthor
      Known Participant
      August 27, 2024

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

      Rikk Flohr_Photography
      Community Manager
      Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      August 27, 2024

      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.

       

      Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
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