I want to transfer photos from my Sony A1 camera which uses CF Express Type A memory cards to my iPhone 13 which has a lightning port. I have a CF express Type A card reader which has a USB-C connection. Is there a way to do this? Or is the lightning port to slow to be able to handle this? (I can transfer wirelessly using the Sony Imaging app but it is very cumbersome)
As you know your iPhone 13 has a Lightning port, which is USB 2.0 speed only. That’s much slower than what CFexpress Type A cards (and your Sony A1) are capable of, but technically, you can still transfer photos — just not nearly as fast as you would on a Mac or iPad with USB-C. So the Lightning port itself won’t stop it from working, but it will slow things down, especially if you’re moving large RAW files or 4K/8K video.
The main issue is compatibility: your CFexpress card reader uses USB-C, while the iPhone 13 only has Lightning. To connect them, you’d need Apple’s Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (not the standard Lightning to USB adapter — it has to be the one with both USB-A and Lightning power pass-through). Then, you’d also need a USB-C to USB-A adapter. Plug the card reader into the adapter, power it through the Lightning port if needed (some readers won’t work without extra power), and the iPhone should recognize the card in the Photos app or Files app.
As you know your iPhone 13 has a Lightning port, which is USB 2.0 speed only. That’s much slower than what CFexpress Type A cards (and your Sony A1) are capable of, but technically, you can still transfer photos — just not nearly as fast as you would on a Mac or iPad with USB-C. So the Lightning port itself won’t stop it from working, but it will slow things down, especially if you’re moving large RAW files or 4K/8K video.
The main issue is compatibility: your CFexpress card reader uses USB-C, while the iPhone 13 only has Lightning. To connect them, you’d need Apple’s Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (not the standard Lightning to USB adapter — it has to be the one with both USB-A and Lightning power pass-through). Then, you’d also need a USB-C to USB-A adapter. Plug the card reader into the adapter, power it through the Lightning port if needed (some readers won’t work without extra power), and the iPhone should recognize the card in the Photos app or Files app.
I'm unable to directly test and verify that CFexpress is supported by iOS. That said, it doesn't hurt to try - but you'll need the correct hardware to do so...
To reliably connect USB storage devices to iPhone, you must use an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
Don’t be confused by the name of this Adapter - as it is the key to connecting many USB devices to your iPad. The adapter incorporates the essential USB Controller/Root Hub that interfaces USB accessories to your iPad’s Lightning port.
In addition to a USB Type-A port to connect USB accessories, the Adapter includes a Lightning pass-through power connection to which you connect your iPhone's Power Adapter - this providing additional power for connected USB devices.
More information can be found in the iPhone User Guide - along with other frequently overlooked information about your iPhone and iOS:
Connect external storage devices to iPhone – Apple Support
To be recognised by iOS, the attached USB storage device must be formatted to FAT, FAT32, exFAT, APFS or HFS+ with a single partition. Microsoft NTFS and other proprietary device formatting are not supported. Formatting and partitioning, if required, may need to be performed using a separate computer.
Thanks a million!
Will definitely get the gear you recommended and try it out.
You're very welcome.
I have a CFexpress Type A Card Reader with usb connection how can I connect to my iPhone 13 with a lightning port?
