To transfer videos from an SD card to an iPhone, connect a card reader that matches the iPhone’s port, insert the card, and import the videos in Photos. Use a USB-C reader for a USB-C iPhone or a Lightning-compatible reader or camera adapter for a Lightning iPhone. The steps and the media that Photos can import depend on iOS and the files on the card.
Choose a reader that matches your iPhone
Check the iPhone’s charging port before connecting or buying a reader. Apple lists a USB-C to SD Card Reader for USB-C iPhones and Lightning-compatible options for Lightning iPhones, including the Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader and camera adapters. A USB-C reader will not fit a Lightning iPhone. Also check that the reader has a slot for your card type.
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| iPhone port | Reader or adapter option | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C | USB-C to SD Card Reader | Confirm that the reader accepts your SD card type and supports importing through Photos. |
| Lightning | Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader or a compatible Lightning camera adapter | Confirm Lightning compatibility and that the reader accepts your card type. |
Apple’s adapter guidance describes the Photos import workflow for its camera adapters. See Apple’s camera-adapter instructions and its iPhone guide to importing photos and videos.
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Import the videos using Photos
- Connect the compatible reader or camera adapter to the iPhone.
- Insert the SD card into the reader without forcing it. If using a camera adapter with a camera, make sure the camera is powered on.
- Open Photos. Depending on the iOS version, look for an Imports tab or an Import control. Apple documents a version-specific path for iOS 18: Photos > Collections > Devices, then tap the card or camera. Labels and navigation may differ in other versions.
- Choose Import All, or select the videos you want and tap Import.
- When prompted, choose whether to keep or delete the imported media on the card. Disconnect the reader when the transfer is complete.
Apple says its camera adapters import content captured by digital cameras. Renamed, edited, or copied-to-card files may not import through this workflow. An unsupported video format may also be impossible to view on the iPhone, even if the card is recognized; Apple says the file may still be importable to a computer.
#1 Best Overall
- 【2-in-1 SD Card Reader】This sd card reader adopts dual card slot design, compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC/MicroSD/MicroSDXC/MicroSDHC memory cards. You can easily save the photos inside the SD card to your iPhone/iPad/Mac/Camera, view the photos and videos in the memory card anytime and anywhere, and upload them to social platforms, it is a good partner for your travelling and playing.
- 【Bi-directional Transfer】This memory sd card reader supports batch uploading photos and videos to transfer to your iPhone/iPad/Mac/Camera, reducing waiting time , and also supports you to save the data from your mobile phone or computer to the SD card through the sd card reader.
- 【Compatible with USB C】This USB C SD Card Reader for iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Pro/15 Pro Max, 16,iPad Air 11 inch 4th /5th generation, iPad Pro 12.9 inch 6th /5th /4th /3rd generation, iPad Pro 11 inch 4th /3rd /2nd /1st generation, iPad Mini 6th generation, iPad 10th generation, MacBook Pro 13 inch 2020/2019/2018/2017/2016, MacBook 2017/2016/2015, MacBook Air 13 inch 2020/2019/2018, and other devices with USB C port and support OTG function.
- 【Plug and play】This TypeC SD card reader compatible with MacOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome. No driver, does not require additional third -party software, plug-and-play, very convenient and portable. For iPad, you only need to use the iPadOS built-in "Files" app for import and export.
- 【Compact Ports Friendly】The SD card adapter is the assistant of the photographer, allowing you to immediately view the best moment of the lens. Friendly and compact port design. With the built-in expansion USB-C cable of this SD card reader, you can save space and use ports side by side.
Use Files to browse external storage
Files and other supported apps can access connected external storage, including an SD card. This is a separate route from importing videos into the Photos library: seeing or opening a file in Files does not mean it has been imported into Photos. Apple’s external-storage guide lists the requirements for supported devices.
For external storage access, Apple requires a single data partition and one of these formats: APFS, encrypted APFS, macOS Extended (HFS+), exFAT (FAT64), FAT32, or FAT. Those requirements do not guarantee that every video file will import into Photos or play on the iPhone.
Rank #2
- [Tool for photographer]: It is a Photography Accessories for Canon Nikon SLR Digital Camera. No App to be downloaded. 5 seconds after inserting the memory card and connecting with the iPhone, click 'Photos' APP and find 'Import', then import video and photos from memory card to your iPhone or iPad.
- [Accessories for iPhone with Dual Card Slots]: This SZHAIYIJIN Memory Card Reader for iPhone Support SD Card and TF Card, Secure Digital (Standard SD/SDHC) and Micro SD(TF) card. Do NOT Support Wi-Fi SD Memory card.
- [The Female USB Interface]: Lightning to USB adapter has the Female USB Interface is a OTG Camera Adapter for iPhone &iPad, supports Digital camera, SLR Camera, The USB camera adapter does not require an application, and there is no need to remove the camera's memory card. You Can also plug the USB Flash Drive, Card reader, USB Headphone, Electric Guitar, MIDI keyboard, etc. (The maximum current of the peripherals does not exceed 500 mA). Not Support the Printer and Hard disk drive.
- [Dual Connector Design]:The SD Card Adapter offers dual compatibility with USB-C and Light-ning ports (includes a detachable USB-C to Light-ning adapter). Simply plug the USB-C connector into modern devices like iPhone 15-17,iPad Pro, Mac, Android phones, or PCs, or attach the Lightning adapter for older Apple devices. This versatile setup enables seamless cross-platform data transfers — move photos, videos, and files between iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS systems with full OTG support.
- [Two-way Transfer]: Two-way transfer suitable for iOS 13 -18 device. Import data from SD/TF card to iPhone/iPad, or export the file from iPhone/iPad to SD/TF card. Include Movies, Music, Word, Power point, Excel, PDF, etc.
Check compatibility if the card is not detected
For image transfer through its camera-adapter workflow, Apple lists support for Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP), Mass Storage Device protocol, SDSC, SDHC, miniSD, microSD, MMC, and SDXC. Apple says flash drives and USB thumb drives are not supported for importing images through that workflow. Card or adapter recognition does not guarantee that a particular video format is supported.
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Troubleshoot a missing card or Import control
- Update iOS, then check Photos again.
- If you are connecting a camera, make sure it is powered on and set to the correct transfer mode.
- Disconnect and reconnect the adapter. Wait 30 seconds, then reconnect the camera or card.
- Restart the iPhone and camera, if applicable.
- Try a different card or camera. If another card works, the original card or its data may be the problem.
Do not format or reset a card as a first troubleshooting step: Apple warns that this erases its images. Copy the card’s contents elsewhere before formatting or resetting it.
Rank #3
- Ultra-Compact: Use effortlessly next to other peripherals in your computer's USB port, or connect to your phone. Note: You may need to remove the case from your device before using this product.
- Universal Compatibility: Optimized to work with a wide range of USB-C devices, like MacBook 2018, Galaxy S10, and more.
- Better Than One: One standard and one microSD slot let you easily sync, swap, and share files.
- USB-C On the Go: Use with your smartphone, wherever you are.
- What You Get: USB-C 2-in-1 Card Reader, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What transfer speed to expect
Apple says iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max support USB 3 transfer speeds with the adapter workflow; other adapters and iOS devices use USB 2 speeds. These are interface-speed qualifications, not estimates of how long a particular video will take to transfer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The USB-C to SD Card Reader transfers high-resolution photos and videos at UHS-II speeds to your USB-C enabled Mac, iPad, or iPhone.
- Designed so it won’t block your other ports, it works with UHS-II SD cards and is backward compatible with other SD cards and adapters.
- Backward compatible with other SD cards and adapters
Rank #4
- 2 in 1 Double Card Slot: The sd card reader Parallel Port Cards for sd and micro sd memory card, support all iPhone with iOS 9.2 and up and iPads with iOS 8.0 or later,It's easily download photos or videos from SD cards directly to the iPhone or ipad, and share videos or photos with friends and relatives anytime and anywhere.
- High Speed Data Transmission: The sd card reader for iphone data transmission speed can reach 20MB/S~30MB/S,the memory sd card reader for iphone can transmit photos and videos of your camera to your device in a few seconds, saving a lot of time.
- Plug and Play: You don't need a computer as a medium or install any applications when you use the memory card reader, plug and play ,please wait for 5 seconds after connecting the device.
- Capacity and Format Support: The sd card reader support standard photo formats including JPER and RAW,and SD,HD video formats including H.264 and MPEG 4,supports the memory card with a maximum capacity of 2TB.
- Dual Connector Design (iPhone Connector and USB-C): This SD card reader features both an iPhone connector and a USB-C connector, allowing it to work with a wide range of devices, including iPhone 5 to 14 series, as well as USB-C iPhone 15 and 16, iPad, MacBook, Mac computers, laptops, and Android devices.
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