Apple Memory Card Readers & Adapters

Because there aren't any external ports on the iPhone® or iPad®, transferring data onto an Apple® mobile device requires proprietary external adapters. The Apple card reader transfers images quickly and easily from an SD card to provide more flexibility with sharing and viewing photos and videos.

Apple Card Readers Increase the Convenience of Apple Mobile Devices
While it's simple enough to transfer files between apps using cloud services like iCloud® and social media sites, people often need the convenience of using an Apple Lightning® adapter to move files directly from physical storage. The adapter connects to the Lighting charging port on recent iPhones and iPads.

An adapter allows for the transfers of large files from a video camera or still camera's SD card. This prevents long upload and download wait times for full HD images and videos, and allows greater ease for watching or viewing pictures in Apple's clear Retina® display. Note that this device solely works with devices using iOS 9 or later which includes iPhone 5, iPads with Retina display only, iPod touch® 5th generation, iPad mini™, and mini 2, iPad Pro® and iPad Air®. Users with some older models can use the same device with a Lightning to 30-pin adapter.

Important Uses for an Apple Card Reader
Downloading images from a trade show or other professional event does not require a fast mobile or Internet connection with an Apple Lighting adapter. It works with both micro SD cards and standard SD cards for more usability. Additionally, professionals who travel regularly and want the added convenience of quick file transfers to their Apple mobile device.

How Do You Use an Apple SD Card Reader?
Simply connect the adapter to the mobile iOS device. Insert the SD card into the slot. The import tab should automatically open. If it doesn't, open "Photos" and then tap "Import." If you don't see the import option, try restarting the iOS device with the adapter attached and the card inserted. The adapter supports many types of transfer protocols including, SDXC, MMC, miniSD, microSD, PTP (picture transfer protocol), and Mass Storage Device protocol.

Who Needs an Apple Card Reader?
Professional photographers who regularly need to move around large RAW files from cameras to iPad Pros for further editing and publication will appreciate the speed of a card reader. Card readers make the work go faster for videographers that commonly work with large, HD MPEG formats who can then avoid uploading large video files to the cloud. Education professionals who regularly use iPads in the classroom, especially when teaching graphics and video editing need external peripherals. Marketing and sales professionals that spend a lot of time on the road can use an external adapter to share files from trade shows, sales presentations, and offsite meetings with colleagues and potential clients.

What Files Does an Apple Card Reader Support?
Apple's Lightning Card Reader works with almost all common file photo formats like JPEG images. It also supports high-resolution RAW files, as well as HD and standard-definition video files, such as H.264 and MPEG-4. In terms of transfer speeds and protocols, the card supports up to USB 3 speeds on the iPad Pro (12.9-inch), and USB 2 speeds for iPad Pro 9.7-inch and on all other iPads and iPhones listed above.