Difficulty
Easy
Steps
6
Time Required
5 - 10 minutes
Sections
1
- Transfer photos from a Camera/SD Card to an Apple Device
- 6 steps
Flags
2
Needs More Images
A few more images would make this guide’s procedures crystal clear.
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Introduction
Notice: Steps/recommended adapters were sourced from this apple document Supported SD cards and image-transfer protocols
- Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP)Mass Storage Device protocolSDSCSDHCminiSDmicroSDMMCSDXC
Flash or USB thumb drives aren’t supported for image importing.
If you’re using a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, these iPad models transfer data at USB 3 speeds:
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)iPad Pro 10.5-inchiPad Pro 12.9-inch
All other adapters and iOS devices use USB 2 speeds.
Step 1
Choosing the right Adapter
- Depending on your media storage, you will need to choose the correct adapter. Please make sure you choose the correct adapter for your Apple Device!
- SD Card Adapters
- Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader
- Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader
- Camera Adapters
- Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter
- Lightning to USB Camera Adapter
Depending on your media storage, you will need to choose the correct adapter. Please make sure you choose the correct adapter for your Apple Device!
SD Card Adapters
Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader
Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader
Camera Adapters
Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter
Lightning to USB Camera Adapter
1024
Step 2
Connect the Adapter
- Connect the adapter to your device. The male connecter of the adapter will go into the Apple device.
- If you have a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, you may notice a Lightning port beside the SD cart slot. This is intentional as it allows the user to either plug in any devices with Lightning cable ports, such as wired earbuds or the Lightning to USB cable
Connect the adapter to your device. The male connecter of the adapter will go into the Apple device.
If you have a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, you may notice a Lightning port beside the SD cart slot. This is intentional as it allows the user to either plug in any devices with Lightning cable ports, such as wired earbuds or the Lightning to USB cable
Step 3
Insert your Media
- If you are using the Camera Adapter, make sure that the appropriate cable is plugged into the camera first, then plug the USB end into the Camera Adapter into your Apple Device
- If you are using an SD card, make sure you plug the SD card facing UP. Check to make sure that the SD card’s tab is pushed up, allowing data to be read/written
If you are using the Camera Adapter, make sure that the appropriate cable is plugged into the camera first, then plug the USB end into the Camera Adapter into your Apple Device
If you are using an SD card, make sure you plug the SD card facing UP. Check to make sure that the SD card’s tab is pushed up, allowing data to be read/written
Step 4
Importing Photos
- If the previous steps were done correctly, you should see a tab called Import. Photos should automatically open to the Import tab. If it doesn’t, open Photos and tap Import.
- Next, Tap Import All to import your content, or tap specific items, then tap Import
- When the import is complete, you might be asked to Keep or Delete the media on the camera or SD card
- You can import content only to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can’t export content to an SD card or digital camera.
If the previous steps were done correctly, you should see a tab called Import. Photos should automatically open to the Import tab. If it doesn’t, open Photos and tap Import.
Next, Tap Import All to import your content, or tap specific items, then tap Import
When the import is complete, you might be asked to Keep or Delete the media on the camera or SD card
You can import content only to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can’t export content to an SD card or digital camera.
Step 5
Remove your Media/Adapter
- One you have imported your photos and chose to keep or delete the imported photos on your Apple Device, remove the SD card, followed by the adapter connected to your device
One you have imported your photos and chose to keep or delete the imported photos on your Apple Device, remove the SD card, followed by the adapter connected to your device
Step 6
Troubleshooting
- If you don’t see the Import tab, follow these steps:
- Make sure that your digital camera is on and in the correct mode to export images.
- Disconnect the adapter, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect it.
- Unplug the digital camera or SD card, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect.
- Restart your iOS device and turn your camera off and back on.
- If one is available, test with a different digital camera or SD card. If you can import media with a different digital camera or SD card, there might be an issue with the data on the camera or SD card. Try to import the data to another device or computer, then use your digital camera to format—or reset—the SD card.
- Reformatting will erase all the images on the SD card. Check the manual for your digital camera for more help.
- Apple camera adapters can import multiple types of media files from your digital camera or SD card. If the format isn’t compatible with iOS, you won’t be able to view them on your device, but can import them to your computer later. Apple camera adapters can import only content that was captured by digital cameras.
If you don’t see the Import tab, follow these steps:
Make sure that your digital camera is on and in the correct mode to export images.
Disconnect the adapter, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect it.
Unplug the digital camera or SD card, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect.
Restart your iOS device and turn your camera off and back on.
If one is available, test with a different digital camera or SD card. If you can import media with a different digital camera or SD card, there might be an issue with the data on the camera or SD card. Try to import the data to another device or computer, then use your digital camera to format—or reset—the SD card.
Reformatting will erase all the images on the SD card. Check the manual for your digital camera for more help.
Apple camera adapters can import multiple types of media files from your digital camera or SD card. If the format isn’t compatible with iOS, you won’t be able to view them on your device, but can import them to your computer later. Apple camera adapters can import only content that was captured by digital cameras.
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peter lauritzen
Member since: 02/27/2018
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Andrew White - Feb 7, 2020
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Thanks for the guide. Could we get a teardown of the lightning to usb adapter though?