If you want to transfer photos from a camera to an iPhone or iPad, there are several ways to do so. Some of them are based on USB; others require Bluetooth connectivity.
For example, you can use a camera adapter to plug in a camera and then transfer photos over USB to your device. Or, you can use an SD card reader.
1. Apple Camera Adapter
The Apple Camera Adapter ($29, PS35) makes it possible to transfer photos from a camera to an iPhone or iPad using the USB port. It supports both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 transfer speeds and can also be used to sync video.
When a Lightning-equipped device is connected to this adapter, the Photos app automatically appears and lets you import photos from your camera. The app then lets you choose which images to keep and which to delete.
This is a simple process, and one that works on all iOS devices. That includes the iPhone 6 and earlier, as well as the iPad Air and mini.
The program will import photos from your camera to the Photos app on your iPad or iPhone. These photos will appear as Untitled followed by additional text, and you’ll be able to pick them individually or select all at once.
2. SD Card Reader Adapter
Using a SD card reader to transfer photos over USB from your camera is an easy way to keep your images safe. You don’t need a computer to do it, just an adapter that matches the port diameter of the Apple device you want to use.
The best option for most people is a USB 3.0 card reader, as they offer much faster data transfers than older devices that only support USB 2.0 or USB 1.1. These devices also save you the hassle of constantly plugging in and re-plugging each time you need to transfer photos from your camera to your device.
Another choice is the Benfei USB 3.0 Dual Slot Reader, which has dedicated slots for micro SD and SD cards. It offers great read and write speeds and is easy to use without drivers. It also has a USB 3.0 Type-C connector that supports up to 5 GB/s of transfer speed.
3. SD Card Reader Adapter
A camera typically uses an SD card as its default storage device. If you need to transfer photos over USB from a camera to an iPhone or iPad without using your computer, you have a few different options.
A popular way is to get an SD card reader adapter. These can be a lot easier to use than Apple’s Camera Adapter, although they require an additional cable that will need to remain in your camera.
Moreover, many of these adapters are capable of transferring images to your iOS device from a variety of cameras and memory cards.
Nikon and Canon also make similar adapters that allow you to connect your camera to a Wi-Fi hotspot and then transfer photos over the wireless connection. This is an easy way to transfer pictures from your camera to your phone, but you have to download the Nikon or Canon Wireless Mobile Utility app to do it.
4. SD Card Reader Adapter with Micro-USB Connector
With the SD Card Reader Adapter with Micro-USB Connector, you can transfer photos over USB from your camera to your iPhone or iPad. It’s a handy option when you have an old digital camera that has an SD card, or you want to transfer photos from your newer camera.
This multi-port card reader supports a wide range of cards, including SD and microSD. It also supports the latest USB 3.1 Gen 2 standard, which offers super fast data transfers for transferring large files.
Another advantage is that this adapter has a reversible connector design, which means it’s easy to plug into a variety of ports and cables, and the cable itself can be stored away when not in use.
If you’re looking for a more advanced, multi-tasking card reader, UGREEN’s SD Card Reader may be the way to go. It features four dedicated slots for different types of card, and it can read and write data from these at the same time.
