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iPad Transfer photo library from iPad to Mac

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retta283

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Jun 8, 2018
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This may not be the best place for this, but I need answers asap. My iMac's HDD crapped out on me, and I didn't have a backup of the latest version of my photo library (last 5 months). However, the most recent version is still completely intact on my iPad. Synced via iTunes, I do not use iCloud and my library is too large for it without paying money on the higher storage. Tried using Photos app on another computer, but it only sees the camera roll.

Anyone know of a way to reverse transfer the library? Preferably without going over WiFi, due to size of library it would be a PITA to transfer this over network. This is so frustrating, it's all there and I can see it but I can't do anything with it.
 
When you say on another computer, was it another Mac? If so I'd use Image Capture (in the Utilities folder) and get them off that way - better still, don't click "delete" checkbox so they stay on your iPad too!
 
Geoff777 said:
When you say on another computer, was it another Mac? If so I'd use Image Capture (in the Utilities folder) and get them off that way - better still, don't click "delete" checkbox so they stay on your iPad too!
Click to expand...
It was another Mac. Image Capture only checks the DCIM/Camera Roll folder unfortunately, so it cannot reimport the library, at least from what I've found.
 
you could always sync via iCloud on a one month basis, get your photos into iCloud, and synced to your new Mac, then cancel and stop the syncing. It would take a while, but if you're not in a hurry, that would probably be the easiest way.
 
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I'm not in a huge hurry to get them off, because I'd assume (and hope) that my iPad won't die any time soon so it's not like I'll miss out on my chance to save them. Chunking it over the network seems to be the best idea.
 
I wonder if the full resolution images were actually copied onto the iPad. When syncing with iTunes it usually creates smaller, lower resolution images to transfer onto the device.

Best success OP!
 
Perhaps use a different cloud service to upload them all? Amazon Photo if you're a prime member has free unlimited full quality photo storage. Google Photos is another option that's free. I'm sure there's more (one drive if you're an office 365 member gives you 1TB of storage). Sync them all to one of those and then you can download the library to your computer?
 
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RED84 said:
Perhaps use a different cloud service to upload them all? Amazon Photo if you're a prime member has free unlimited full quality photo storage. Google Photos is another option that's free. I'm sure there's more (one drive if you're an office 365 member gives you 1TB of storage). Sync them all to one of those and then you can download the library to your computer?
Click to expand...

My vote there is Google Photos. OneDrive is trash on iOS.
 
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Jack Neill said:
My vote there is Google Photos. OneDrive is trash on iOS.
Click to expand...

And I just checked, with Google you can at least request a download of all your pictures. Amazon photos doesn't have that option as far as I can see, you have to select them one by one to download them.
 
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retta283 said:
Anyone know of a way to reverse transfer the library? Preferably without going over WiFi, due to size of library it would be a PITA to transfer this over network. This is so frustrating, it's all there and I can see it but I can't do anything with it.
Click to expand...


why can't you just create an empty library on the new Mac and open Photos with the iPad connected by cable and transfer that way (make sure you don not select "delete photos" by mistake?) see screen shot

import from ipad.png



Preview? - you could consider using preview (with TB cable) to import to a folder see screen shot -

preview import screen.png



my preference would be to use Photos - i think the file formats will be conserved better in Photos?
 
mikzn said:
why can't you just create an empty library on the new Mac and open Photos with the iPad connected by cable and transfer that way (make sure you don not select "delete photos" by mistake?) see screen shot

View attachment 935089


Preview? - you could consider using preview (with TB cable) to import to a folder see screen shot -

View attachment 935090


my preference would be to use Photos - i think the file formats will be conserved better in Photos?
Click to expand...
There is a difference between the Photo library and the iPad's Camera Roll, and these apps only touch the Camera Roll
 
retta283 said:
There is a difference between the Photo library and the iPad's Camera Roll, and these apps only touch the Camera Roll
Click to expand...

Exactly. As that on-the-go collection of photos is just a low resolution copy of the original library from the Mac, iPadOS and ioS don’t store that content in user accessible folders for another PC to import.
 
retta283 said:
There is a difference between the Photo library and the iPad's Camera Roll, and these apps only touch the Camera Roll
Click to expand...

I never really noticed this before - I have always downloaded only new pictures from phones and iPads and cameras onto the Mac / Photos and never noticed this

Today I tried iMazing and it seems to see some of the items - But it doesn’t seem to get them all - Even though iMazing claims that you can retrieve all pictures from iPads and iPhones - So far it might be the best bet?
 
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