iPad: Photos app: SD card shows in Files app, but not in Photos app, on iPad

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Levellingser Author

Level 1

33 points

iPad: Photos app: SD card shows in Files app, but not in Photos app, on iPad

I have tried using 3 devices:

iPhone 11 Pro Max - MWHN2B/B

iPad Pro 11” - MU1F2B/A

iPad Pro 12.9” - ML3K2B/A

They all exhibit the same problem. My SD card will show up in Files app, but not in Photos app.

I have tried using lightning to SD card reader. I have tried using 3 different USB-A card readers with lightning to USB-A adapter, or USB-C to USB-A adapter.

I am pulling my hair out.

The only reason I am trying to do this is to show father-in-law how easy it would be for him to use an iPad with his new camera, to review his photos.

What a joke.

Has anyone got any genuinely useful ideas because this should be a really simple process.

iPad Pro

Posted on Aug 3, 2023 02:46 AM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

199,927 points

Aug 3, 2023 03:48 AM in response to Levellingser

You have tried different card readers, but have you tried a different SD card? Perhaps the card is damaged or needs reformatting.

What is the image format of the files on the card? Ary they JPEGs or a different format?

See the section on "If you can’t see the import option" in this support document:

Import photos using Apple camera adapters – Apple Support (UK)

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Answer 2

Levellingser Author

Level 1

33 points

Aug 3, 2023 01:08 PM in response to léonie

All of my SD cards can be seen in the Files app. So none of them need formatting and none are damaged.

Sandisk Extreme micro SD card.

PNY micro SD card.

Samsung Pro micro SD card.

I even tried a very old full-fat old school big SD card - Sandisk Extreme 4GB.

All show in Files app, none show in Photos app.

I bought a new Jsaux USB-C card reader today and again, same issue, it allows all cards to be read by the Files app, but none show up in Photos app.

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Answer 3

Levellingser Author

Level 1

33 points

Aug 4, 2023 04:31 AM in response to Matti Haveri

Thanks Matti.

I hadn’t actually pulled the card from a camera, I only had the SD card with some pictures jpg’s that I had copied onto it. I just assumed the Photos app would see the pictures and allow me to import them.

I put the card into my PC and created the DCIM folder and that showed up, but the pictures inside didn’t.

I then attached my iPhone to my PC and copied a folder including pictures from that to the new DCIM folder and this time they did all show up in the Photos app.

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Answer 4

Aug 3, 2023 11:49 PM in response to Levellingser

Have you formatted the SD in the camera? Does it have the DCIM folder?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_rule_for_Camera_File_system#Directory_and_file_structure

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iPad: Photos app: SD card shows in Files app, but not in Photos app, on iPad

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