  Based on a prior determination of the $\phi$ selfenergy in a nuclear medium
we perform a theoretical study of inclusive $\phi$ photoproduction in nuclei,
looking at the $A$ dependence of the cross sections for different $\phi$
momenta. We find sizeable reductions in the nuclear cross sections with respect
to the elementary one, using a $\phi$ selfenergy which implies a width about
six times the free one at normal nuclear density. The calculations are done to
match the set up for an ongoing experiment at {\it SPring8/Osaka} which should
provide valuable information on the renormalization of the $\phi$ properties in
nuclei.
