Import and export photos to your iPhone or iPad using Apple camera adapters

Learn how to import and export photos and videos from a digital camera or SD Card to your iPhone or iPad using Apple camera adapters.

You can import and export photos and videos from an SD card, digital camera, or other supported accessory to your iPhone or iPad using one of these adapters:

• Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader

• Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter

• Lightning to USB Camera Adapter

• Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader

Import photos and videos

To import from your SD card or digital camera, follow these steps:

1. Connect the adapter to your iPhone or iPad.

2. Connect your digital camera to the adapter by USB or insert an SD card.

3. Open Photos, then tap your SD card or digital camera in the Devices section. In iOS 17 and earlier, Photos should automatically open to the Import tab or you can open Photos then tap the Import tab.

4. Tap Import All to import your content, or tap specific items, then tap Import.

5. When the import is complete, you might be asked to Keep or Delete the media on the camera or SD card.

If you don’t see the Devices section or Import tab

If you don't see the Devices section or Import tab, follow these steps:

1. If you don't see the Devices section, update to the latest version of iOS.

2. Make sure that your digital camera is on and in the correct mode to export images.

3. Disconnect the adapter, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect it.

4. Unplug the digital camera or SD card, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect.

5. Restart your iPhone or iPad and turn your camera off and back on.

6. 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.

If you can’t import some content

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. You might not be able to import content that was renamed, edited, or copied to the digital camera or SD card.

Export photos and videos

To export to your SD card or digital camera, follow these steps:

1. Connect the adapter to your iPhone or iPad.

2. Connect your digital camera to the adapter by USB or insert an SD card.

3. Open Photos, tap Select, then tap the photos and videos that you want to export.

4. Tap the Share button, then scroll down and tap Export Unmodified Originals.

5. Tap the Back button until you see Cancel, select your SD card or digital camera in the Locations section, then tap Save.

Supported SD cards and image-transfer protocols

• Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP)

• Mass Storage Device protocol

• SDSC

• SDHC

• miniSD

• microSD

• MMC

• SDXC

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 (1st and 2nd generation)

• iPad Pro 10.5-inch

iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max support USB-3 transfer speeds. All other adapters and iOS devices use USB 2 speeds.

Learn more

Learn more about USB Camera Adapters.

Learn how to connect to other devices and accessories with the USB-C port.