How to Import Photos from a Card Reader or SD Card to Photos App?

Importing photos from a card reader or SD card to the Photos app on your Mac or Windows PC is a straightforward process that allows you to easily transfer images from your camera or device. Here is a high-level overview of the steps involved:

• Connect the card reader or SD card to your computer
• Open the Photos app
• Import the photos into the Photos library
• Manage and edit the imported photos as needed

Following the steps below will walk you through the process in detail.

Prerequisites for Importing Photos

Before importing photos from a card reader or SD card, ensure:

• You have a card reader or SD card with photos you want to import
• The card reader or SD card is properly connected to your computer
• The Photos app is installed on your Mac or Windows PC
• Your Photos library is open and ready for new content

If you encounter any issues connecting the card reader or SD card, consult the documentation or instructions that came with the device.

Connect the Card Reader or SD Card to Your Computer

The first step is connecting the card reader or SD card to your computer.

• On Mac: Insert the card reader or SD card into your Mac's SD card slot, USB port, or external reader. Most modern Macs have built-in SD card slots.
• On Windows: Insert the card reader or SD card into a USB port or external reader. Make sure the device is properly recognized.

Once connected, the card reader or SD card will appear as an external drive on your computer. Do not disconnect it until the import process is complete.

Open the Photos App on Your Computer

With the card reader or SD card connected, next open the Photos app on your computer:

• On Mac: Open the Photos app. It is located in your Applications folder or Launchpad.
• On Windows 10: Open the Photos app. You can find it in the Start Menu or search for "Photos".

When Photos opens, it will display your library and any existing albums or folders you have set up. Now you are ready to import the new photos.

Import Photos from the Card Reader or SD Card

Here are the steps to import photos:

• On Mac:
• In Photos, click File > Import or use the Import command keyboard shortcut ⌘+I.
• Select your connected card reader or SD card from the source dropdown.
• Choose whether to Keep or Delete items after import.
• Click Import All to start transferring the photos over.
• On Windows 10:
• In Photos, click Import > From a USB device.
• Choose your connected card reader or SD card and click Import.
• Select where to save the photos - either In a new album or An existing album.
• Click Review for import to finalize transferring the photos.

The import process may take a few minutes depending on how many photos are being transferred. Let the import fully complete before disconnecting your card reader or SD card.

Manage the Imported Photos

Once your photos are imported, you can:

• View them in Photos by date or album.
• Add edits like cropping, filters, or image corrections.
• Organize them into albums, manage favorites, or delete unwanted shots.
• Share photos to social media or messaging apps like WhatsApp.

Photos makes it easy to handle all your imported pictures so you can access them anytime.

Disconnect the Card Reader or SD Card

After your import is complete, it is safe to disconnect the card reader or SD card from your computer.

• On Mac: Eject it properly from the Finder before unplugging the device.
• On Windows: Use the Safely Remove Hardware option before disconnecting.

Now your imported photos will be safely stored in your Photos library.

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to ever lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply Download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Conclusion

Importing photos from a card reader or SD card into the Photos app is quick and easy. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently transfer images to your computer and access them in one organized library. Keep your photos safe while making them available across all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Importing Photos

Here are some common questions about importing photos from a card reader or SD card:

How do I import photos from my phone or tablet?

A: Install the Photos app for iOS or Android on your mobile device. Use the Share menu to select the photos you want to import and choose Photos to transfer them to your library.

What photo file formats can I import?

A: Photos supports common formats like JPG, PNG, RAW, TIFF, HEIF and many others. However, less common formats may not import correctly.

Does importing photos transfer or copy them?

A: Importing creates a copy of your photos that is saved in the Photos library. Your originals remain intact on the card reader or SD card.

Can I import photos directly into an album?

A: Yes, during the import process you have the option to save photos directly into a new or existing album.

What happens if I disconnect the card reader before importing completes?

A: It is not recommended as you may lose photos that were still being transferred. Wait until the import fully finishes.