Stop iPhoto launching when connecting a device containing images
iPhoto has an annoying habit of launching whenever you connect a storage device that contains images – whether it’s your digital camera, a memory card, or a CD-ROM. There is a way to stop it, though, and bizarrely the setting is not in iPhoto or in System Preferences. No, in true Windows-style, it’s hidden away in a place you’d never think to look: Image Capture.
To change this setting and stop iPhoto launching:
- Run the Image Capture app (Applications > Image Capture). Don’t worry if you get a window saying “No Image Capture device connected”.
- Bring up Image Capture’s Preferences (choose the Image Capture > Preferences menu option).
- In the General tab, change the setting for “When a camera is connected, open”. The default is iPhoto; you can change it to “No application” to stop iPhoto launching. Or you can pick a different app to launch instead.
- Click OK, quit Image Capture, and you’re done. No more grief with iPhoto launching all the time!
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November 26th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Cheers mate, that really was the pettiest annoyance I was the most disproportionately relieved to have solved this year!
Many kudos also for Nocturne. I haven’t been able to read a computer screen easily since 1994 when I owned a green-screen only Amstrad, that app makes things a lot easier!
You do good work sir, long may it continue!
November 28th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Great stuff – I’m glad you found that tip (and Nocturne) useful! It’s so nice to fix something that’s been bugging you for months isn’t it?
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
What a “cute” place to hide that setting! I’m so glad I’ve deactivated it: I’m as diproportionately relieved as Joble. Thanks
February 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Yeah, that problem was annoying and the fix was obscure, here is a video of your fix for anyone who learns by seeing 🙂
http://www.4tay.com/blogs/Adam_Parker/Tutorial_%231_-_Stop_iPhoto_Auto_Launch/1/1/645/
Thanks for the tip.
March 20th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Fantastic! This was causing me huge headaches every time I connected my iPhone. No more!
March 25th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Thank goodness! Thank you for posting this up.
May 11th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Thank you Thank you Thank you.
My iPhone was constantly reconnecting and relaunching iPhoto–it was driving me crazy. At least now I don’t have to quit iPhoto every time.
Jean
August 31st, 2008 at 12:57 am
CHEERS! I was about to smash my computer right in the screen.
October 30th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Hmmm so the only way to stop iphoto from auto launching is to go through Image Capture? What happens when Image Capture preferences won’t open?
December 15th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
many, many, thanks for figuring that out and passing it on!
December 15th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
You’re welcome, Paul – glad it helped. 🙂
March 7th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Great tip! I needed that.. my usb flash drive kept opening iphoto and it was driving me nuts!
April 9th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Thank you, was driving me mad!
July 8th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Thanks a lot.. what a F’ng annoying hidden default setting. “in true windows style” it’s Apple style..
July 25th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
bloody excellent tip!
July 28th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
You’re welcome folks 🙂