January 21, 2026
How to Stop Photos App From Automatically Opening Each Time You Connect a Device

How to Stop Photos App From Automatically Opening Each Time You Connect a Device

Posted January 31, 2016 at 12:43am by
These are instructions on how to stop the Photos app in OS X from automatically opening each time you connect an iPhone or other device.

You need follow this procedure just once. It will apply to all your devices.

How to Stop Photos App From Automatically Opening Each Time You Connect a Device

Step One
Launch Terminal from your Applications:Utilities folder.
How to Stop Photos App From Automatically Opening Each Time You Connect a Device

Step Two
Enter the following command into the Terminal window and press Return.

defaults -currentHost write com.apple.ImageCapture disableHotPlug -bool YES
How to Stop Photos App From Automatically Opening Each Time You Connect a Device

Step Three
Your Photos app will no longer launch each time you connect your iPhone, iPad or other device. To reverse the change, simply execute the command again replacing 'YES' with 'NO'.




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Comments (9)
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user123
user123 - January 31, 2016 at 4:02pm
Is there a similar solution for iTunes?
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matrixmaniac
matrixmaniac - January 31, 2016 at 3:05pm
Photos functionality and design could be improved. It can be frustrating when the software lacks customizability for its features.
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gamerscul9870
gamerscul9870 - January 31, 2016 at 6:29pm
Photos is pretty awesome to me, just because you don't like it doesn't mean you have to blame the products all because of one app!
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John
John - January 31, 2016 at 9:54am
i needed this in my life tysm
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HarryC91
HarryC91 - January 31, 2016 at 7:39am
Needed this! So annoying to see Photos app open every time!!
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T
T - January 31, 2016 at 4:51am
You guys are awesome! Thanks for this
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iAmMe
iAmMe - January 31, 2016 at 3:51am
unless of course you have lots of devices and you want Photos to stop opening for all of them...
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mateen
mateen - January 31, 2016 at 8:47pm
As you mentioned, that solution only works for each device. This solution prevents photos from ever opening up.
Reply · Like
ManBear
ManBear - January 31, 2016 at 1:15am
Jesus thank you iClarified! I needed this it was very annoying lol
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