Import photos or video from a digital camera

Before you can use iPhoto to organize and edit your photos, you must import (copy) them into your photo library on your computer. One way to import photos is to connect your camera to your computer and import from the camera.

Another way is to import from the camera’s SD card (memory card). If your Mac computer has an SD card slot, you can insert the SD card in your computer and then import from the card. Alternatively, you can insert the SD card in a card reader, connect the card reader to your computer, and then import from the card.

To import photos or video from a digital camera:

  1. Using the cable that came with your camera, connect the camera to the USB port on your computer.

    Image of a digital camera connected to a computer with a USB cable

  2. If your camera is not on, turn it on, and make sure it’s set to the correct mode for importing photos.

    For information on which mode to choose, see the instructions provided with your camera. If your camera has a “sleep” mode, make sure it is disabled or set to a time increment long enough to allow your images to download.

    If iPhoto wasn’t already open, it opens for you in import view (unless you changed this preference in iPhoto), and your camera appears in the Source list.

    Image of import view with a camera connected

    iPhoto displays photos you’ve already imported in a separate area from new photos.

  3. By default, iPhoto divides photos into separate Events during the import process.

    You can optionally enter a description in the Event Name field.

    If you don’t want iPhoto to automatically create Events, deselect the Split Events checkbox.

    If you want to change the time frame used to sort your photos into Events, you can change it in iPhoto preferences.

  4. Do one of the following:

    • To import all new photos shown in the iPhoto window, click the Import button that displays the number of photos.

    • To import a selection of photos, select each photo you want to import by pressing the Command key while clicking each photo’s thumbnail, or drag to select a group of photos, and then click Import Selected.

  5. To cancel photo transfer at any time during your import, click Stop Import. Then, in the dialog that appears, choose to continue importing the photos, keep the photos that have been imported and stop importing the remaining photos, or delete the photos that have been imported.

  6. After the import process is finished, click the Eject button in the Source list (or drag the camera’s icon to the iPhoto Trash).

    Image of the Eject button

  7. Turn off your camera, and then disconnect it from your computer.

    Important:  Before you turn off and disconnect your camera, wait until all photos have been imported into iPhoto (or until you click Stop Import).

To import photos or video from an SD card:

Many Mac computers have built-in SD card slots. If yours doesn’t, you need a device called a card reader.

  1. Insert the card into your computer’s SD card slot, or insert the card into a card reader and then connect the card reader to your computer.

    If iPhoto wasn’t already open, it opens for you (unless you changed this preference in iPhoto.)

  2. If the card contains photos that have already been imported into iPhoto, those photos are hidden by default. If you want to see all the photos on the card, including photos that have already been imported into iPhoto, deselect the Hide Photos Already Imported checkbox.

  3. If you don’t want iPhoto to divide your imported photos into separate Events based on the dates the photos were taken, deselect the Split Events checkbox.

    If you want to change the time frame used to automatically sort your photos into Events, you can change it in iPhoto preferences.

  4. Do one of the following:

    • To import all new photos shown in the iPhoto window, click Import All.

    • To import a selection of photos, select each photo you want to import by pressing the Command key while clicking each photo’s thumbnail, and then click Import Selected.

  5. To cancel photo transfer at any time during your import, click Stop Import. Then, in the dialog that appears, choose to continue importing the photos, keep the photos that have been imported and stop importing the remaining photos, or delete the photos that have been imported.

  6. After the import process is finished, click the Eject button in the Source list (or drag the device icon to the iPhoto Trash), and then remove the card or disconnect the card reader from your computer.

    Important:  Before you remove the card or disconnect the card reader, wait until all photos have been imported into iPhoto (or until you click Stop Import).

Some card readers may not be compatible with iPhoto. For more information, check with the device’s manufacturer.

If nothing happens when you connect your digital camera:

Try the following:

  • If your camera is connected but iPhoto is not open, open iPhoto and look for your camera’s icon in the Source list. If the icon is there, click it. iPhoto should open in import view, and you can follow the steps above.

  • Make sure the USB cable is properly connected to your camera and the computer. If your computer has another USB port, try plugging the cable into it.

  • Check your camera to make sure it’s turned on and set to the correct mode for importing photos. For which mode to choose, see the instructions provided with your camera.

  • Check your camera’s memory card for damage. See the documentation that came with your camera for more information on this or other possible problems.

If your digital camera isn’t compatible with iPhoto:

You can copy or move photos directly from your camera’s memory card to your computer’s hard disk using your camera, your computer’s SD card slot, or a camera card reader. Then you can import the photos from your computer’s hard disk into iPhoto.

  1. Do one of the following:

    • Using the cable that came with your camera, connect the camera to the USB port on your computer.

    • Insert the camera’s memory card into your computer’s SD card slot.

    • Insert the camera’s memory card into a card reader and then connect the card reader to your computer.

    After you connect your camera or memory card to your computer, a folder containing the photos on your camera or memory card appears on your desktop.

  2. In the Finder, open the folder and drag the photos from the device to a location on your hard disk.

    To make it easy to find the photos, you can create a new folder to contain them.

  3. Import the photos into iPhoto by following the steps for importing from your hard disk or other computer.