📄 How to Import Photos into the Photos App on Mac

How to Import Photos into the Photos App on Mac

If your photos or videos are stored on an external hard drive, USB flash drive, DVD, SD card, or other storage device, you can easily import them into the Photos app on your Mac.

Importing from an External Drive, USB or DVD

Step 1

Connect your external hard drive, USB flash drive, or insert your DVD into your Mac.

Step 2

Open the Photos app.

Step 3

From the menu bar, click File → Import.

Step 4

Browse to your storage device and select the photos or videos you want to import.

Click Review for Import.

Step 5

Choose where you'd like the photos to be imported.

  • Import into your main library.
  • Import into an existing album.
  • Create a new album if preferred.

If you're using an iCloud Shared Photo Library, choose whether to import into Your Library or the Shared Library.

Step 6

Import your photos.

  • To import everything, click Import All New Photos.
  • To import only certain items, select them and click Import Selected.

If you're importing folders and want to keep the same folder structure, enable Keep Folder Organisation before importing.

Step 7

Once complete, your photos will appear in:

  • Imports
  • Library / Photos


Importing from an SD Card or Camera Memory Card

Step 1

Insert the SD card into your Mac or connect a card reader.

Step 2

Open the Photos app.

Step 3

Click File → Import.

Step 4

Select the photos or videos you'd like to import.

Click Review for Import.

Step 5

Choose one of the following:

  • Import All New Photos to import everything.
  • Select individual photos and click Import Selected.

Step 6

After importing, you'll be asked whether you'd like to:

  • Delete Items from the SD card, or
  • Keep Items on the SD card.

Choose the option that best suits your needs.

Step 7

Once the import has finished, safely eject the SD card or card reader before disconnecting it.

Your imported photos will appear in the Imports and Library sections of the Photos app.


Alternative Method

You can also import photos by simply dragging them into the Photos app.

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Locate your photos or folders.
  3. Drag them directly into the Photos window or onto the Photos icon in the Dock.

You can even drag a folder into Photos to automatically create an album with the same name.

Need Help?

If you're having trouble importing photos, your storage device isn't being recognised, or you're moving photos from an older Mac, Cyan Tech can help.