PHImageManager.requestImageDataAndOrientation callback is never called

Question

Created 8h

Replies 0

Boosts 0

Participants 1

I occasionally receive reports from users that photo import from the Photos library gets stuck and the progress appears to stop indefinitely.

I’m using the following APIs (code to be added):

func fetchAsset(_ asset: PHAsset) {
    let options = PHImageRequestOptions()
    options.deliveryMode = .highQualityFormat
    options.resizeMode = .exact
    options.isSynchronous = false
    options.isNetworkAccessAllowed = true
    
    options.progressHandler = { (progress, error, stop, info) in
        // 🚨 never called
    }
    
    let requestId = PHImageManager.default().requestImageDataAndOrientation(
        for: asset,
        options: options
    ) { data, _, _, info in
        // 🚨 never called
    }
}

Due to repeated reports, I added detailed logs inside the callback closures. Based on the logs, it looks like the request keeps waiting without any callbacks being invoked — neither the progressHandler nor the completion block of requestImageDataAndOrientation is called.

This happens not only with the PHImageManager approach, but also when using PHAsset with PHContentEditingInputRequestOptions — the completion callback is not invoked as well.

func fetchAssetByContentEditingInput(_ asset: PHAsset) {
    let options = PHContentEditingInputRequestOptions()
    options.isNetworkAccessAllowed = true
    
    asset.requestContentEditingInput(with: nil) { contentEditingInput, info in
        // 🚨 never called
    }
}

I suspect this is related to iCloud Photos.

Here is what I confirmed from affected users: 1. Using the native picker, iCloud download proceeds normally and the photo can be attached. However, using the PHImageManager-based approach in my app, the same photo cannot be attached. 2. Even after verifying that the photo has been fully downloaded from iCloud (e.g., by trying “Export Unmodified Originals” in the Photos app as described here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/111762, and confirming the iCloud download progress completed), the callback is still not invoked for that asset.

Detailed flow for (1): • I asked the user to attach the problematic photo (the one where callbacks never fire) using the native photo picker (UIImagePickerController). • The UI showed “Downloading from iCloud” progress. • The progress advanced and the photo was attached successfully. • Then I asked the user to attach the same photo again using my custom photo picker (which uses the PHImageManager APIs mentioned above). • The progress did not advance. • No callbacks were invoked. • The operation waited indefinitely and never completed.

Workaround / current behavior: • If I ask users to force-quit and relaunch the app and try again, about 6 out of 10 users can attach successfully afterward. • The remaining ~4 out of 10 users still cannot attach even after relaunching. • For users who are not fixed immediately after relaunch, it seems to resolve naturally after some time.

I’ve seen similar reports elsewhere, so I’m wondering if Apple is already aware of an internal issue related to this. If there is any known information, guidance, or recommended workaround, I would appreciate it.

I also logged the properties of affected PHAssets (metadata) when the issue occurs, and I can share them below if that helps troubleshooting:

[size=3.91MB] [PHAssetMediaSubtype(rawValue: 528)+DepthEffect | userLibrary | (4284x5712) | adjusted=true]
[size=3.91MB] [PHAssetMediaSubtype(rawValue: 528)+DepthEffect | userLibrary | (4284x5712) | adjusted=true]
[size=2.72MB] [PHAssetMediaSubtype(rawValue: 16)+DepthEffect | userLibrary | (3024x4032) | adjusted=true]
[size=2.72MB] [PHAssetMediaSubtype(rawValue: 16)+DepthEffect | userLibrary | (3024x4032) | adjusted=true]
[size=2.49MB] [PHAssetMediaSubtype(rawValue: 16)+DepthEffect | userLibrary | (3024x4032) | adjusted=true]
[size=2.49MB] [PHAssetMediaSubtype(rawValue: 16)+DepthEffect | userLibrary | (3024x4032) | adjusted=true]

Boost