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How to import RAW files from an SD card to iPhone or iPad
To import RAW files from an SD card to an iPhone or iPad, plug in an SD card reader, then do one of three things: import the card with the Photos app, copy the files with the Files app, or import straight into a RAW editor. For RAW work the third is usually best. You get only the RAW files, the originals stay intact, and the photos land where you'll edit them.
Which card reader do you need?
It depends on your device's port.
| Your device | Reader |
|---|---|
| iPhone 15 or later, recent iPads | Apple's USB-C to SD Card Reader, or most third-party USB-C card readers |
| iPhone with Lightning | Apple's Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader |
| Camera with a USB port | A USB-C cable straight from the camera, or Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter |
Apple's guide to its adapters, Import and export photos and videos using Apple camera adapters, lists them all. Its USB-C reader takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to UHS-II speed. A fast card with a fast reader makes a big difference when you're moving dozens of 40–60 MB RAW files.
Three ways to import, compared
| Photos app | Files app | Straight into a RAW editor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where photos go | Your photo library | A folder you choose | The editor's library |
| RAW only, skipping JPEGs | No | Yes, by selecting | Depends on the app; Raw Smith takes RAWs only |
| Best for | Keeping everything in Photos | Archiving, or using several apps | Editing the RAWs |
Option 1: the Photos app
- Connect the card reader with the card in it.
- Open Photos and find the card in the Devices section. On iOS 17 and earlier it's the Import tab.
- Tap Import All, or select the photos you want and tap Import.
Photos is simple and keeps everything in one library, but if you shoot RAW+JPEG it brings both in. A RAW editor can still use them. In Raw Smith, Import RAWs › From Photos… picks the RAW behind each photo, including ProRAW, and skips photos that have no RAW, telling you how many it skipped.
Option 2: the Files app
- Connect the reader and open Files. The card appears in the Browse list.
- Open the
DCIMfolder and the camera's folder inside it. - Select the RAW files (CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF and so on), tap Copy, then paste them into a folder on your device or in iCloud Drive.
This gives you plain files you can open in any app. The downside is that nothing tracks what you've already copied, so the next time you use the card you have to pick out the new files yourself.
Option 3: straight into Raw Smith
- Connect the card reader or the camera.
- In the library, tap Import RAWs. The card or camera is listed by name under Cameras and Cards. The first time, you may see Find Connected Cameras; allow access when iOS asks.
- A sheet opens showing the card's RAWs, grouped by day. Files you imported before are badged Imported, and only new files are selected.
- Adjust the selection with Select New, Select All or Select None, then tap Import.
- Tap Eject before you pull the card out.
Raw Smith copies each RAW into its own folder in the Files app (On My iPhone or On My iPad › Raw Smith), so your originals are always reachable as ordinary files. After an import you can add the photos to an album, rename them, add keywords or apply a preset in one step, and the library jumps to Last Import. A long import shows its progress; you can hide it and keep working, or stop it and keep what's done.
The import guide covers every option, and Cull a shoot fast picks up from here.
What happens to RAW+JPEG pairs?
Lots of photographers shoot RAW+JPEG so they have a ready-to-share JPEG. On the card these are two files with the same name. Where they end up depends on how you import:
- Photos imports both.
- Files copies whatever you select.
- Raw Smith imports only the RAW, from a card, a folder, or Photos.
If you only want RAWs on your phone, set the camera to RAW alone, or import into a RAW editor and skip Photos.
Troubleshooting
The iPhone doesn't see the card
- Unplug the reader, wait about 30 seconds, and plug it in again.
- Try another card or reader to find which one is at fault.
- Format the card in the camera, not on a computer, after you've backed it up.
- On iPhone and iPad, Raw Smith needs permission to use connected cameras. If you turned it down, use Allow Camera Access in Settings in the Import RAWs menu, or Settings › Cameras & Cards in the app.
The files import but won't open
Apple's decoder probably doesn't support that camera yet, or the camera used a compression mode Apple doesn't read. Raw Smith says which camera it is, for example "This system can't decode RAW files from the … yet." See Will my camera's RAW files open on iPhone, iPad and Mac? and check the supported cameras list.
"These RAWs are already in the library"
Raw Smith recognises files it has already imported, even after you rename them, and skips them. That's what makes re-inserting the same card safe.
Running out of space
RAW files are big. Import what you need, and with iCloud sync on, photos from other devices can stay in iCloud until you need their full originals.
Raw Smith is in public beta on TestFlight for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Questions
Can iPhone read an SD card?
Yes. With an SD card reader in the USB-C or Lightning port, an iPhone can import photos from the card with Photos, browse it in the Files app, or let a RAW editor import from it directly.
Which SD card reader works with iPhone?
Apple makes the USB-C to SD Card Reader for iPhones with USB-C and the Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader for older iPhones. Most third-party USB-C card readers also work with USB-C iPhones and iPads.
Do RAW files import into the iPhone Photos app?
Yes, Photos imports RAW files from a card. Editing them well needs a RAW editor, and the editor can then pick the RAW from your library or you can skip Photos and import straight into the editor.
How do I import only the RAW files and not the JPEGs?
Import straight into a RAW editor. Raw Smith only takes RAW files: in a folder or on a card it ignores the JPEGs, and from Photos it takes the RAW behind a RAW+JPEG pair.
Why doesn't my iPhone see my SD card?
Unplug the reader, wait about 30 seconds and plug it back in. Then try another card or reader. A card formatted on a computer instead of in the camera can also cause trouble; format it in the camera.