iOS Assistant
 
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How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to SD Card - 6 Methods in 2025

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SD cards are a great option for storing large files such as photos and videos, which makes them especially useful for users who take a lot of pictures on their phones. After all, phone storage can quickly get used up. Whether you're looking to back up your iPhone photos or free up space on your device, this guide will help you do just that.

However, unlike most Android phones, iPhones don't have an SD card slot. So, how to transfer iPhone photos to an SD card? In this article, we'll walk you through six simple ways to transfer your photos. Let's get started!

how to transfer iphone photos to sd card

 

Way 1: Transfer iPhone Photos to SD Card via Coolmuster iOS Assistant [Efficient]

One of the easiest and most efficient ways to transfer iPhone photos to an SD card is by using Coolmuster iOS Assistant. This tool is designed specifically for managing iPhone data and makes exporting photos, videos, and other files to an SD card a breeze. With its user-friendly interface and straightforward process, it's perfect for those who need to quickly export a large batch of photos.

The highlights of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:

  • Export iPhone photos directly to an SD card, computer, or default iTunes location.
  • Preview all the camera roll images and videos and choose the desired items to export.
  • Support various Apple photo formats, such as HEIC, JPEG, JPG, PNG, PEG, BMP, GIF, etc.
  • Transfer contacts, bookmarks, calendars, and other data between your iPhone and the computer.
  • Back up and restore the iPhone on a PC or Mac in one click.
  • Widely compatible with all iPhone and SD card models, such as iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12/11, etc (iOS 26 supported).

Here is how to transfer photos from an iPhone to an SD card selectively with a computer:

01Install and run iOS Assistant on your computer.

02Connect your iPhone to the computer using the original lightning cable and trust the computer on your iPhone when prompted. Then, plug the SD card into the computer via an SD card reader. Once detected, it will display the iPhone information on the home interface.

the main interface of ios assistant

03Select "Photos" on the left panel and view all the iPhone images on the right side. Next, check the wanted pictures and hit the "Export" button. Later, select the SD card as the storage path on the popup to export them to your SD card.

how to move photos from iphone to micro sd card using ios assistant

Video Tutorial:

Way 2: Export Photos from iPhone to SD Card with iCloud

If you have synced iPhone photos to your iCloud, you can download them from iCloud.com to the SD card. This method doesn't require any data cables or external tools, just a stable internet connection.

Here is how to transfer pictures from iPhone to SD card via iCloud:

Step 1. Open iPhone's "Settings" > tap your name > "iCloud" > "Photos" > turn on "iCloud Photos" to sync the iPhone photos to iCloud. (Photos not syncing to iCloud?)

sync photos to icloud

Step 2. Connect your SD card to your computer using an SD card reader and open iCloud.com from a computer browser.

Step 3. After signing in with the same Apple ID credentials you used on your iPhone, tap the "Photos" tab and choose the photos you wish to transfer.

how to download photos from iphone to sd card using icloud

Step 4. Set the SD card as the destination and download them to your SD card.

Way 3: Transfer Pictures from iPhone to SD Card via Windows File Explorer

You can export iPhone photos to the SD card via Windows File Explorer if you have a Windows PC. It is an easy and handy tool without installing extra apps.

Here is how to copy photos from iPhone to SD card with Windows File Explorer:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable and plug the SD card into the computer with an SD card reader.

Step 2. Ensure that the computer can detect your iPhone.

Step 3. Open "This PC" > tap your iPhone name > "Internal Storage" > "DCIM" > "100APPLE". Then, open the SD card in another window.

Step 4. Drag and drop the photos you want to transfer to the SD card.

how to copy photos from iphone to sd card using file explorer

Way 4: Transfer Photos from iPhone to SD Card Using Mac's Photos App

Assume you are a Mac user. You can use the Photos app on your Mac to export iPhone photos to an SD card. It is free to use and reliable.

Here is how to get photos from iPhone to SD card on Mac:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable and trust the computer on your iPhone.

Step 2. Open the Photos app on your Mac, and you will see the iPhone Camera Roll photos and videos.

Step 3. Click "Import All New Items" or "Import Selected" to continue.

Step 4. Insert the SD card into an SD card reader and connect it to the Mac.

Step 5. Make the SD card the destination for storing photos and hit "Import".

how to get photos from iphone to sd card using mac's photos app

Are photos not imported from iPhone to Mac? You can read this article to find the reasons and the solutions.

[Solved] How to Fix Photos Not Importing from iPhone to Mac Issue

Way 5: Transfer iPhone Photos to SD Card with Email

Suppose you only export a few photos to the SD card. In that case, you can use a frequently used email account to complete the task. However, note that most emailing services limit the attached pictures and documents to 25MB per email. Thus, the process may be cumbersome and clumsy if you need to transfer multiple photos.

Here is how to move photos from iPhone to micro SD card using email:

Step 1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone and select the wanted photos to send.

Step 2. Tap the "Share" icon > "Mail" > fill in another email account as the recipient > hit "Send".

Step 3. Connect the SD card to your computer using an SD card reader.

Step 4. Log in to your email account from a web browser and download the attachment from the new email to the SD card.

how to transfer pictures from iphone to sd card with email

Way 6: Export Photos from iPhone to SD Card via a Lightning Adapter

As mentioned above, you can buy an appropriate SD card adapter to transfer photos to it directly. All you need to do is to insert the SD card into your iPhone. But it may cost you a bit.

How do I transfer photos from iPhone to SD card without a computer?

Step 1. Insert the SD card into an SD card adapter and connect the adapter to your iPhone.

Step 2. Open the Photos app on your iPhone, select the photos you want to copy, and tap the "Share" icon.

Step 3. Click "Save to Files" > "NO NAME" (or the USB device name) > select a destination folder to save the photos.

how to transfer photos from iphone to sd card with adapter

FAQs About iPhone to SD Card Transfer

Q1. How to move storage from iPhone to SD card?

You can move large media files to the SD card in the above ways.

Q2. Can I transfer photos from my iPhone to a camera SD card with a camera SD card adapter?

No. Generally, a camera SD card adapter only supports moving photos from the SD card to an iPhone. You can use other SD card readers to complete this.

Wrapping Up

That's how to transfer iPhone photos to SD card. Anyone who wishes to preview pictures and select the wanted items to copy must try Coolmuster iOS Assistant. It works with multiple common Apple photo formats and is user-friendly to use. Moreover, it lets you manage the iPhone data simultaneously and is much more worthwhile than purchasing an SD card adapter.

Related Articles:

How to Transfer Photos from SD Card to iPhone in 4 Useful Ways [Ultimate Guide]

How to Transfer SD Card to Computer? 3 Faster Methods

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to USB with/without Computer?

How to Transfer Photos from USB to iPhone with or without Computer?

    iOS Transfer     How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to SD Card - 6 Methods in 2025
iOS Assistant
Back up and restore everything on iPhone/iPad/iPod with one click.
Freely manage iOS data and iTunes backup files on the computer.
Preview and selectively transfer files between iDevice and computer.
Widely support contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, notes, etc.
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