Transfer Photos From A Camera Sd Card To An Apple Device Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

                          5 - 10 minutes

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Transfer photos from a Camera/SD Card to an Apple Device
6 steps

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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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                                      with 6 other contributors

                    peter lauritzen

Member since: 02/27/2018

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Andrew White - Feb 7, 2020

Thanks for the guide. Could we get a teardown of the lightning to usb adapter though?

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Member-Contributed Guide#

Introduction#

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Member-Contributed Guide

Introduction