SD card reader not working with new iPad Air 11
I am trying to download photos to the Photos app on my new iPad Air 11 using the new USB-C to SD Card reader I just bought from Amazon. The iPad Air is not acknowledging the card reader at all, even though it is plugged into the USB-C port.
iPad Air, iPadOS 26
In my experience, USB-C external devices can be more difficult to power via an iPad or iPhone's USB-C port. Lightning external devices pretty much work as intended. It may be that that particular card reader is demanding more power than the iPad is capable of delivering to it. When this happens, the external device will simply not operate correctly & the device that it's plugged into will not see it. In this case, an externally powered USB-C hub will help, although it adds to the clutter and requires it to be plugged into a USB-C power adapter. An example:
If it is in fact a genuine Apple reader, it *should* work as intended without a hub. However, it could also be defective (this does happen).
Have you verified that the reader works correctly using an altogether different USB-C capable device (if you have one)?
Clearly "minimal" packaging.
Every genuine Apple product that I have ever encountered, when new, are packaged in a sealed Apple box. The seals are tamper evident. Given your description of the product packaging, one might reasonably question the provenance of the Adapter.
Nonetheless, what you have works as expected - demonstrating that both your iPad and Adapter are functionally good.
No, it doesn't show up in either the Files app sidebar or the Photos app sidebar.
Yep. I did order another one (a different one) the day after, and it will arrive today. Hopefully, it will work, but again, it may be bogus, too.
I don't have a USB-C hub, unfortunately. I've been using Lightning.
Yep. Just got it ready to drop off at Whole Foods in the morning, so, all is well.
SD card reader not working with iPad Air 11
