SD Card Reader SUPER Slow in 2021 M1Pro MBP 16"

So I know Apple didn't splurge for a top-o-the-line SD card reader in the new 16" 2021 MacBook Pro, but this is ridiculous. The SD Card reader is insanely slow. How slow? Pop in an SD Card with only 30 16GB RAW files on it, and it takes 30+ minutes to import the files to Lightroom Classic. Used the SD card reader in my 5 year-old OWC Thunderbolt port, and the same card will import in 30 seconds.

Anyone have a clue what could be causing the SD Card reader to do this?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Nov 3, 2021 8:43 PM

Top-ranking reply

Hamptongar

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Jan 28, 2022 9:48 AM

I added to this thread about ten days ago. Had an SD card that just made my 14" MBP go bonkers. Wouldn't show up in finder, couldn't eject or read. Finally got it to read and it said the download would take about 40 mins for some very small files. Spend time on the phone with Apple, got to tier 2 tec (disconnected twice) and they said they'd had no similar reports in spite of this active thread. Used an external reader and the files downloaded in less than ten seconds.

Upgraded OS to 2.2 last night and just inserted the same SD that I'd had the issues with. It showed up on the desktop and finder in a flash and downloaded just as fast.

I guess Apple solved the problem they allegedly never had. Good work for a job not done.

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84 replies

Dec 13, 2021 3:30 AM in response to duwo

same here, extreme pro 128G 170 mb/s, never seen anything slower in my life and I'm on a 16" M1 Pro, this is ridiculous..

Dec 22, 2021 11:51 AM in response to Command_F

It’s now working!!! Quick as lightening

thank you

Edg-R

Level 1

25 points

Dec 22, 2021 11:54 AM in response to art levin

Wish I could say the same, transferring 500MB videos leads to an Error 36 when copying files. I can read files from the card just fine (though slow), but copying does not work at all.

Dec 24, 2021 11:16 AM in response to vnyne100

I'm just copying files in Finder. Should be the simplest of all, and yet...

Dec 26, 2021 9:06 AM in response to Command_F

So some people with 12.1 have success and others don’t?? Mine still is slow And errors out

Edg-R

Level 1

25 points

Dec 26, 2021 9:11 AM in response to mclarenf1

I’ve had 12.1 and still experience the issue when transferring SD card photos using the built in SD card reader via Finder.

Dec 26, 2021 3:20 PM in response to Edg-R

Good Lord Almighty. New M1 Max with an SD card hole in the side of it that's useless. Running 12.0.1

Why bring back this SD card slot if it's going to suck this bad.

Dec 26, 2021 6:44 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Many of us on this thread have already updated to 12.1 - That has not corrected the issue.

Dec 28, 2021 4:17 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Just updated. 12.1 has not fixed the problem.

pbredtag

Level 1

8 points

Jan 16, 2022 4:05 AM in response to Gregory Simpson1

Yes, still a problem with 12.1

birtella

Level 1

8 points

Jan 19, 2022 2:58 AM in response to Gregory Simpson1

same malfunction on Macbook M1 2020 with SD UHS-II

rolle70

Level 1

8 points

Jan 23, 2022 8:16 AM in response to Gregory Simpson1

Mac Pro 2021 14" slow as ****

MacPro 2011 same sd card (extrem 90mb/s) super fast

I was about to bring my new mac in for repairs :-(

Rebelvue

Level 1

26 points

Jan 23, 2022 3:15 PM in response to ChristianAhrens

My case exactly. Tomorrow I'm returning my unit back to the store and get another one.

tomb777

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2022 10:01 AM in response to Gregory Simpson1

I've got the same problem with that card and the Extreme 90MB/s U3. The weird thing is it worked fine for the first couple months and the problem just started yesterday?

Jan 27, 2022 3:55 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for your thoughts.

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SD Card Reader SUPER Slow in 2021 M1Pro MBP 16"