Apple Photos RAW (NEF) converting to tiff - Low res when "Save to photos" is used

I have a Nikon DSLR that I shoot in RAW (lossless compressed). After shooting some pictures, if I connect the SDCard to my IPAD (IOS18..), browse the photos using the File app and choose "Save to Photos", the resulting file in Apple Photos app is a converted, low-res TIFF file rather than the RAW file.

If rather than using the File app, I use the Photos app and Import from the SDCard, it usually, but not always brings the file in as a RAW file, but I've also seen it convert to low-res TIFF.

I would like to be able to import RAW (NEF) files from external USB drive without them being converted to this low res TIF in Apple Photos.

I've seen various versions of questions like this, but not specifically the same scenario. Has anyone come across similar situation and resolved it?

Thanks!