How to Transfer Photos from SD Card to iPhone

A camera generally uses an SD card as its default storage device. Thus, when you need to import photos from a camera to your iPhone, you actually need to know how to transfer photos from an SD card to the iOS device.

Speaking of moving pictures from an SD card to an iPhone, there are mainly three types of tools you can apply, including third-party data transfer software, cloud-based storage services, and Apple camera adapters (without computer).

Now, check all workable solutions from the details below and apply one of them to transfer photos from an SD card to your iPhone within minutes.

Method 1. How to Transfer Photos from SD Card to iPhone with iPhone Transfer Software

The most straightforward way to import photos from an SD card to an iPhone is to use iPhone data transfer software like EaseUS MobiMover. With such a tool installed on your computer, you can transfer all photos or specific pictures from a computer or external storage device like an SD card or USB flash drive to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Other than photos, it also supports videos, music, ringtones, contacts, books, and more.

In addition, it also allows you to:

• Transfer data between two iDevices
• Access and manage iDevice content from a computer
• Back up and restore iPhone data

To import photos from an SD card to your iPhone:

Step 1. If you have a card reader slot on your computer, insert the SD card into the port directly. If you don't have it, insert the SD card into a card reader and then insert the card reader into the USB port on your computer. After that, connect your iPhone to your computer, run EaseUS MobiMover, choose "PC to Phone", and click "Select Files" to continue. 

Step 2. Go to your computer to choose the picture files or folders you want to import. Then, click "Open" to move to the next step. 

Step 3. If the items you choose include other supported file types, you can transfer them from SD card to your iPhone together with photos. Now, click the "Transfer" button to transfer images from SD card to your iPhone without data loss.  

As you can see from the image above, there is a video download feature in EaseUS MobiMover. With this feature, you will be able to download online videos to your computer or iPhone/iPad for offline watching. Whether you want to download YouTube videos to iPhone or save videos from Facebook to computer, you can get it done easily using this tool.

Method 2. How to Move Pictures from SD Card to iPhone via Cloud Storage

Cloud-based storage services like iCloud and Google Photos are also helpful to import pictures from an SD card to an iPhone. With a computer, you can either transfer photos from SD card to computer first, and then transfer photos from PC to iPhone, or import photos from SD card to iPhone directly.

To use such a servce, you need to make sure there is enough cloud storage available and there are Wi-Fi connections on both the computer and the iPhone.

Let me show you how to move pictures from SD card to iPhone via iCloud:

Step 1. Connect the SD card to your computer.

Step 2. Upload photos from the SD card to iCloud:

• If you have installed iCloud for Windows, go to "iCloud Settings" > check "Photos" > turn on "iCloud Photo Library" and "Download new photos and videos to my PC".  Under the latter option, click "Change" to set the folder as the one on your SD card that stores the images you want to transfer.
• If you didn't install iCloud, go to iCloud.com > sign in with the Apple ID you use on your iPhone > choose "Photos" > click the "Upload photos" icon to select the photos on your USB to upload.

Step 3. On the iPhone, go to "Settings" > [your name] > "iCloud" > "Photos" and turn on "iCloud Photos". After syncing, you can see the photos from the SD card in the Photos app.

Other cloud storage services work similarly to iCloud. You just need to upload photos to the cloud storage first, and then sync these items to the mobile device over Wi-Fi.

Method 3. How to Transfer Photos from SD Card to iPhone Without Computer

If you want to transfer photos from SD Card to an iPhone without computer, you can buy one of the Apple camera adapters. With the help of it, you can connect the SD card to your iPhone directly. Afterward, you can import photos from the SD card to your iPhone with a few simple clicks.

Get an Apple USB-C to SD card reader and follow the steps below to continue.

To transfer photos from an SD card to your iPhone without computer:

Step 1. Insert the SD card into the card reader and connect it to your iPhone.

Step 2. If Photos doesn't open to the "Import" tab automatically, open Photos and tap "Import."

Step 3. You can select the photos you want to transfer and click "Import" or click "Import All" to transfer all photos from SD Card to your iPhone.

Step 4. After the transfer process, you can choose to keep or delete the photos on your SD Card.

The Bottom Line

It's actually quite easy to get photos from an SD card to iPhone. Depending on whether you are willing to use a computer or not, you can choose to use a tool like EaseUS MobiMover or an Apple camera adapter. If you have a fast Wi-Fi network, using a cloud-based service is also a choice.

Don't hesitate to apply one of the tips to move pictures from an SD card to your iPhone quickly.