No "Import" icon, command or link on my iPad when I open Photos

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Level 1

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No "Import" icon, command or link on my iPad when I open Photos

The iPad User Guide [https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/ipad/ipad99c6eb3e/ipados] says that, to import photos from an SD-card-to-Lightning adapter to an iPad's Photos app, "Open the Photos app on your iPad, then tap Import."

There is NO "Import" icon, command or link on my iPad when I open Photos on my iPad. There are several YouTube videos on importing images to the iPad's Photos app. All show a “menu bar” at the bottom of the Photos app screen; if an SD card adapter is connected, an "Import" icon appears on that menu bar, at the lower right. But there is no such menu bar on my iPad's Photos app. And I don't see "Import" anywhere on the iPad's Photos screen.

I don't want to use a third-party app, an iTunes sync or an iCloud sync to import photos from an SD card to the Photos app on my iPad. What are my options? I'm running a 7th Generation iPad, with the current iPad iOS.

iPad (7th generation)

Posted on Jan 7, 2024 5:23 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

6x6

Level 6

19,905 points

Jan 7, 2024 5:45 PM in response to Casey Guy

The format of your SD card may not be compatible. Open the Files app and check to see if the SD card shows. If not, you'll need to reformat the SD card. This article will tell you the acceptable formats: Connect external storage devices to iPad - Apple Support.

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 6

19,905 points

Jan 8, 2024 5:30 PM in response to Casey Guy

Unfortunately, I do not own an SD card reader compatible with my iPad to run some tests. The only suggestion I can give you is to import them from the Files app.

Open the Files app, select your SD card in the sidebar, tap "Select" (upper right of the screen), select your pictures, tap "Share" (bottom left of the screen) and tap "Save [number] Images".

To quickly select multiple files, display the files as List (icon to the left of "Select"), tap "Select" and, using two fingers, tap the first file to select and then swipe down to select as many files as you need.

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Answer 3

Casey Guy Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 9, 2024 7:52 AM in response to 6x6

That works! Thank you, 6x6!

I knew I could use Files to save a Photos image to an SD card, but I didn't know I could use Files to save an SD card's image to Photos. The only downside is that the images are saved "loose" in Photos, rather than directly to a specific Album. Fortunately, those loose images can later be copied to an Album, so it's just a few extra steps to put them in a specific Album.

You've given me a way to get those images to Photos, and I thank you.

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Answer 4

Casey Guy Author

Level 1

14 points

Jan 8, 2024 3:24 PM in response to 6x6

Thank you very much for the reply, 6x6.

It appears that my SD card is OK (128-GB SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC). My 7th Gen iPad's Files app sees it, and photos on the SD card do open. To be sure, I tried a different, never-used SD card (Verbatim 8-GB Premium SDHC), to see if there was any difference in behavior. The Verbatim SD card works the same way as the SanDisk SD card: my iPad's Files app sees the files on the SD card and can open them. And no "menu bar" appears at the bottom of the iPad's Photos app, either, nor does the word "Import" appear anywhere on my iPad's screen.

I'm totally baffled. I've had excellent experience with Apple products: things just work and they work easily. That's why I'm thinking there may be something (eg, a setting) that I'm overlooking.

Thanks again for your reply.

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Answer 5

6x6

Level 6

19,905 points

Jan 9, 2024 8:02 AM in response to Casey Guy

You are most welcome! I’m glad this solution worked out for you.

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No "Import" icon, command or link on my iPad when I open Photos

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