How to Transfer Photos from Camera to iPhone: Top & Free

When you take some beautiful pictures on your camera, you may need a way to export them to your iPhone. Just choose a suitable method in this guide and you can finish the process in simple clicks.

Kathy by Kathy Updated March 24, 2025
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After snapping great photos with your camera (or digital camera), you’ll likely want to transfer them to your iPhone for viewing, backing up, editing, or sharing. Whether you prefer using the right adapter for direct transfers or moving large batches of files through a computer, this guide has you covered. We’ll walk you through every method to get those photos onto your iPhone quickly and efficiently.

1. How to transfer photos from camera to iPhone with adapter

Can you transfer photos directly from camera to iPhone? When you have a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter or Apple USB-C to USB Adapter, the operation is feasible!

👉️ Tip: For your iPhone 15 or newer models, you can grab Apple’s USB-C adapter to connect to external drives. For iPhone 5 to 14 models, you can use a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter (or standard Lightning adapter) for transfers.

add camera photos to iPhone via an adapter

Step 1. Establish a connection between your iPhone and digital camera with an adapter > Plug the port of the adapter into the iPhone, and then plug the other USB port of the adapter into your camera or your SD card reader.

👉️ Tip: How to download photos from SD card to iPhone? If your camera is using an SD card, you should take out it and insert your SD card into an SD card reader and plug it into your iPhone with an adapter.

Step 2. Now the Photos app on your iPhone will enter Import mode. It will automatically appear and enter the Import interface. If not, you can manually launch the Photos app from your iPhone and tap the Import option to continue.

Step 3. Browse your photos stored in your digital camera or SD card and choose the specific items you need > Tap Import to confirm your choice. Or you can choose Import All to get all the pictures.

Step 4. Once imported, the images will appear in a dedicated Imports album in the Photos app.

⚠️ Note: Your iPhone can only import photos/videos directly from a digital camera or your camera SD card if they’re kept in their original naming format and file structure. Pictures that have been renamed, edited, or copied to the camera may not be added.

2. How to transfer camera photos to iPhone with computer [Recommended]

To transfer photos from camera memory to iPhone, using a powerful iPhone data transfer tool named FoneTool on computer might be better. Its fast transfer speed allows you to move thousands of photos efficiently.

FoneTool

Free & Professional Camera to iPhone Photo Transfer Software

  • 100 pictures can be moved within seconds without losing quality.
  • Preview and choose all the photos you need to transfer at one time.
  • Common photo formats are supported, like jpg, png, bmp, gif, heic, raw, etc.
  • Various types of digital cameras/SD cards in the camera are compatible (SanDisk, Sony, Lexar, etc.).
  • Various iPhone models/iOS versions are supported, even the latest ones.

Now you can download FoneTool on your Windows PC and follow the guidance below to get how to import photos from SD card to iPhone.

Step 1. Insert your SD card into a card reader > Connect your card reader or your digital camera and iPhone to the computer via 2 USB cables > If asked, tap Trust on iPhone to continue.

Step 2. Once the SD card/camera and iPhone have been recognized, launch FoneTool and go to Phone Transfer > Choose PC to iPhone and click Get Started.

go to PC to iPhone transfer

Step 3. Choose the Photos button > Click the box and choose your wanted files from the SD card or digital camera > Click Open to add them.

👉️ Tip: You can also click the Videos icon to import videos from SD card to iPhone.

choose photos to transfer

Step 4. Confirm all the photos you need and click Start Transfer to add pictures to iPhone.

transfer photos from camera to iPhone

3. How to transfer photos from digital camera to iPhone wirelessly

Many newer digital cameras come with Wi-Fi built right in, making it a breeze to send photos straight to your iPhone. You don't need to rely on cables or extra gadgets.

Step 1. Download your camera brand’s official app (like Canon Camera Connect, Nikon SnapBridge, or Sony Imaging Edge Mobile) from the App Store.

Step 2. Go to your camera’s menu and switch on its Wi-Fi or wireless LAN. Some models let you connect directly to your iPhone or create a hotspot.

transfer photos from digital camera to iPhone

Step 3. Open the app on your iPhone and follow the prompts to pair them. You might need to scan a QR code or type in a PIN shown on your camera’s screen.

Step 4. Browse your camera’s photos in the app, select what you want, and start the transfer. Most apps let you move single shots or whole batches.

Now you can know how to transfer photos from digital camera to iPhone without computer.

FAQs about camera to iPhone transfer

1. How to get photos from disposable camera to iPhone?

To get photos from a disposable camera to an iPhone, you can develop the film, scan the pictures, and then transfer them to your phone. You can develop the film yourself, at a local photo lab, or online.

2. How do I move photos from camera roll to memory?

FoneTool mentioned in Method 2 allows you to export photos from iPhone to SD card, just connect iPhone and your SD card reader or other memory sticks to the computer at the same time, go to Phone Transfer > Choose iPhone to PC > Set the USB drive as your storage location from the Transfer Settings.

move photos from camera roll to memory

Conclusion

Here we offer 3 ways to tell you about how to transfer photos from camera to iPhone, whether your photos are stored in a digital camera or an SD card. If you have an adapter, you can connect your camera to the iPhone directly. If you are using a digital camera, you can rely on the wireless service to make it.

For people who need to transfer a large number of photos, FoneTool mentioned in Method 2 will help you a lot. Its powerful features allow you to transfer thousands of pictures in minutes. Why not download and try it now?

FoneTool - All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

Transfer, backup and manage data on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in an easy way.

  • iOS 18 Compatible
  • iPhone 16 Supported

Free iPhone Manager - FoneTool

  • Full/Selective Backup iPhone
  • Transfer between iPhone and PC
  • 1-Click Transfer iPhone to iPhone
  • WhatsApp Backup & Transfer
  • Fully compatible with iOS 18
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